Where do i start with my eta?

[mikejungle]

Thus far i've replaced:
leaky oil pan
leaky radiator
whack control arms
worn out tie rod ends
front seats
shifter linkage
clutch
flywheel

I need to replace my exhaust because there are holes in the downpipe and cat, but I was wondering what can i do to make this thing a little faster?
I'm not looking to drag race or anything, but I want enough power where i can get onto the highway without having to slow other people down and where i don't get outrun by camries.

it's got a lot of miles so i'm guessing an engine swap wouldn't hurt, but i don't know if that's the right way to go. b25 engine swap? m50? turbo later? I don't know :(
i guess i want something that's fairly easy and not ludicrously expensive. If it's easy i might even do it myself...

also...do all these cars have a ticking noise? like...when i press on the gas, it sounds like there's a "ticking" as the car revs. I don't know how else to describe it.

I'd like to improve other suspension components. it's already been lowered with i don't know what and it's decent. not great. i'll eventually redo that. suggestions with this?

thanks

oh...my drummer also makes fun of me cuz his gti smokes me and my pride...it hurts
:(

[ethree]

Get a chip! It is the best bang for buck eta mod. You may also consider changing the dif if mpg is not much of a concern. Is your friends gti modified? If it is you lose until you turbo or swap. About the ticking, valve train noise/ticking lifters is pretty common, have you adjusted the valves?

[mikejungle]

no...i have not adjusted valves...does it affect performance?
is it expensive or can i do it myself?

and the gti isn't modified...but as you probably know, it's got a turbo. no hope?

[lennon]

depending on the gti it doesnt take that much to beat a stock one. you should get a chip to start with. look into the 2.7i write up. thats an affordable way to get some more power, but depending on your situation it might not be the best way to go. theres so many options for complete motor swaps that would of course be way better, but none of them are 'easy'.

[smonkbmw]

if its got high miles theres not to much of a point in chipping and swapping exhausts.

the bigger question is what kind of budget are your working with? most m50 swaps CAN be done on the cheap but that doesnt mean it was done RIGHT nor does it mean that you can afford it. what is your level of experience? do you have tools? space? gotta give me/us more info.

what color are the shocks?springs?

[ethree]

I think chipping a high mileage eta is a good idea, it makes the car so much nicer to drive without the laggy jerky acceleration, besides what's the worst that can happen it blows up? It's an eta if it blows up swap it. Also what would you consider high mileage for an eta? 250-300k?

[smonkbmw]

I think chipping a high mileage eta is a good idea, it makes the car so much nicer to drive without the laggy jerky acceleration,

im glad you think that laggy jerky acceleration is normal. cause its not.

besides what's the worst that can happen it blows up? It's an eta if it blows up swap it. Also what would you consider high mileage for an eta? 250-300k?

if it blows up then this chap maybe out of a car. simply swapping in another 2.7 doesnt fix the original problem, the OP wants the car to go faster. you can throw all the mods you want at a ETA and it will still be right behind a stock I/IS. the whole point of a ETA is fuel economy, swapping diffs gets you off the line a LITTLE bit faster but kills your MPG.

Also what would you consider high mileage for an eta? 250-300k?

yeah id say thats high mileage. it wasnt stated before what maintenance has been done to the car either. if the PO of the car didnt do anything but drive it, who knows 150k and the belt hasnt been replaced is the end of this motor. id like to be you and have the simple answer/budget of "just swap the motors" type of mentality but im actually trying to answer the guys question here.

go back to emotech.

to the OP: as stated before it all depends on your budget. to do a 24 valve swap RIGHT youre looking at a minimum of $3k. if thats chump change for you start shopping and reference the 24valve swap thread on here.

swapping in a I m20 is a way to a lil more HP quick, but you need the motor, diff, ecu and possibly wiring harness. and then youre still behind your buddies gti bone stock.

[atomic]

timing belt / tensioner / water pump ASAP !!

anything else suspension related that is 20+ old and tired

[mikejungle]

sweet, thanks for the replies so far.

3k is not chump change, but i'm planning on keeping this car forever...or until i get kids and they get old enough to drive...so saving up 3k or more to put in an engine that'll last me several years would be great.
i had the water pump and timing belt replaced.

my mechanical prowess is very limited.
i've only done:
the bearing and brake job
radiator
oil pan
tie rod ends

and that was with the help of my friend that had all the tools. he's done quite some work on his cars (none were bmw), so he was a good help. he rebuilt his integra engine when he was in college, so he'd be able to help. I just don't want to run into any problems where it's like 'the engine's in there...but oh shit, why won't the car start'. paying someone else might be the way to go? i don't know.

anyway...yeah.
what are my options as far as engines go? even among m50's...there were several different kinds, right? where's the best place to buy em?

my springs and shocks are just...black with dirt. they look stock, but they're definitely not...the camber is toed in.

what are you referring to when you say the '24 valve' swap? m50?

thanks again

[gmvt]

Just finished restoring an eta vert. I have about $4500 in it.
bilsteins
H&R
mark d chip
brakes
f&R sways
offsets (CAB)
frame up paint and body
rota slipstreams
205/50/16 hzr2
4.10 lsd
KnR
painted "corvette Torch Red" w/ black top from "Nachos" $282 in N Hollywood
Great help from forum members done in 6 weeks

Car is very fast. Very beautiful, guys drool and girls drip. Its not an M3 but its awesome. There are plenty of parts available and help on this forum and others. Keep going and "shine shit"