E30 top speed limiter

[Bandit325]

But now I have firsthand experience that there is indeed a speed limiter at 125mph - when my car was an auto it really wouldn't go much faster than 110 (and it took forever to get there too, no power) so I never got to test that theory.

That's odd. My cabbie is an auto, with a 4:10 diff, and I've hit 120, and to tell you the truth, My car has NO bottom end, but the top end is crazy, form 80 to 120 is the strongest accelleration in the entire power band.. my only problem is that at WOT it wouldn't change into top gear, so I was hitting the rev limiter at 120, not the speed limiter

My only mods are a ST tuning chip, Exhaust, and Cam (not sure what lift and duration)..... Not trying to jack the thread, but does anyone know what would cause it not to change into top gear???

[James Crivellone]

The E30's that do have a top speed limiter simply have a wire running from the back of the speedometer (same green connectors where the cruise control plug in) and run that over to the ECU connection through a single pin plug.

Unplugging that will remove the limiter...Very simple

[tonytony]

i knew my car had a limiter, because when i first got it i tried to keep up with a e39 it cut off at 125. I thought i blew up my car cause the revs dropped but then it came back on again

[nando]

That's odd. My cabbie is an auto, with a 4:10 diff, and I've hit 120, and to tell you the truth, My car has NO bottom end, but the top end is crazy, form 80 to 120 is the strongest accelleration in the entire power band.. my only problem is that at WOT it wouldn't change into top gear, so I was hitting the rev limiter at 120, not the speed limiter

My only mods are a ST tuning chip, Exhaust, and Cam (not sure what lift and duration)..... Not trying to jack the thread, but does anyone know what would cause it not to change into top gear???

there is a button under the throttle pedal that forces the tranny to hold the current gear longer (in addition to forcing a downshift). if you keep the button pushed when you are in 3rd gear it won't shift into 4th gear, even if you hit the limiter.

[MR 325]

1991 325i
2/91 build date
173 ECU
Hit 145 MPH, no limiter.

[Bandit325]

there is a button under the throttle pedal that forces the tranny to hold the current gear longer (in addition to forcing a downshift). if you keep the button pushed when you are in 3rd gear it won't shift into 4th gear, even if you hit the limiter.

thanx for the insight nando, Is there any way to fix this or do I just have to let off the throttle, let it shift, and then get back in it?

[SpecM]

-No, cuz my '89 auto will just downshift and over-rev if you floor it again in 4th.

[golde30]

i knew my car had a limiter, because when i first got it i tried to keep up with a e39 it cut off at 125. I thought i blew up my car cause the revs dropped but then it came back on again

yah same for me, but i was racing my buddys e46 330. rite at 125 it cuts out and comes back after a second...

[nando]

thanx for the insight nando, Is there any way to fix this or do I just have to let off the throttle, let it shift, and then get back in it?

you have to back it off the switch and leave it there. if you press it again the tranny will force a downshift!

[Mystikal]

Seen an indicated 240km/h (149mph), or the end of the speedo when the car was bone stock.

12/89 325iS
5-speed, 3.73
173 ECU, stock chip

For whatever it's worth, I did the same with MarkD software (every version).

[pineapplegti]

The E30's that do have a top speed limiter simply have a wire running from the back of the speedometer (same green connectors where the cruise control plug in) and run that over to the ECU connection through a single pin plug.

Unplugging that will remove the limiter...Very simple

is there any more info on this ? what color is the wire ? and by unplugging this will it hurt or change anything other than the limiter

[german g]

interesting thread, i always wondered this myself...I've never had my E30 over 110 though..by choice of course

[nando]

is there any more info on this ? what color is the wire ? and by unplugging this will it hurt or change anything other than the limiter

I just pulled my cluster the other day, and found the wire james is talking about. it's a green wire all by itself that plugs into the back, you can't miss it (if your car has one anyway). shouldn't affect anything else.

[James Crivellone]

I just pulled my cluster the other day, and found the wire james is talking about. it's a green wire all by itself that plugs into the back, you can't miss it (if your car has one anyway). shouldn't affect anything else.

Careful, Cruise control plugs in there too.

[Mot]

suckers, my e30 pulls hard to 150. e36m3 drivetrain ftw.