IDK what to do...

[devon.818]

couple questions, haveing trouble finding direct answers. so dont flame me for asking, thanks in advance :)

1) my budget will be just under 1300, i want more HP and accelaration(i think that means low end torque). i asked about the stroker option, my budget i dont think will allow for that. so....someone suggested MILLER MAF/war chip and exhaust. now how much performance you think i'd gain from this, everything else would be stock....
2) if i add 17# or 19# injectors to the above where would my power be at? also i am completely confused as to all the talk of "tunes" and maps. i thought performance chips you just plug into stock computer.
3) and what the hell is the Megasquirt, is that something i would be able to use witht he above ideas?
4) any other options i should consider?


educate me!
thanks

[AbeSonic]

M50 swap. You can pick up a motor for somewhat cheap depending on the mileage. Not that much of a hp gain but you get more torque and more power through out the broadband. I was orginally going to build up my Eta into a super Eta but I though "whats the point?"

[devon.818]

m50 just seems like a lot of work...
would it come in under my budget installed? i'd still need to do work to the computer right?
after the swap is the m50 more mod-able?

[Eecen]

Save your money for a;

turbo 2.7i
S5x


New suspension before power though.

[AbeSonic]

You can get the M50 from wrecked E36's and stuff. Usually for cheap. I'd say average of >400. I would eventually plan on a turbo after some time. Search here for more info

[LJ851]

What engine do you have now?

[AbeSonic]

This

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=147862

[devon.818]

oh sorry i have the m20, stock 1987 325i, currently auto but doing the 5sp swap pretty soon(before i even do anything to engine).

[Roysneon]

I got my whole E36 parts car for $300, just missing DME.

[devon.818]

wow. then the m50-tu or m52 would be the best option then right?
more power and greater ability to later mod it?


bookmarked those two sites!
can anyone answer my original questions too?
damn, gotta love r3v for good info!

[LJ851]

Your 5speed swap will feel like 10-15 HP . I did this to my girls car last year. Awesome upgrade. Do you have a 4.10 diff ?

[devon.818]

i have stock diff.
i also dont know what the numbers are for, like the higher the number of diff more accelaration?
so 4.10 faster 0-60 than 3.7something?

[LJ851]

Yes. Most autos came with 4.10s , when you convert to 5speed there is less overdrive. If you don't do a lot of highway driving an m20 4.10 5 speed is pretty quick. On a budget , I'd start there. There is a tag on the back of your diff that tells the ratio, check it out.

[87e30]

Dude, you're not ready to drop 1300 dollars on your car right now.

I don't want to be a dick I just don't think you have enough knowledge to really know what you want to do. You should do a lot more reading, planning, and saving and then figure out what it is that you really want.

With 1300 dollars I can't think of anything that I would do for what you want. I would do suspension with that money, and replace a lot of bushings. Car will be that much more fun to drive.

To answer your question above it is final drive gear ratio. The larger the number (2.93, 3.73, 4.10 are the common e30 ones, there are more) then the shorter all of your gearing effectively comes. Essentially shorter gears are torquier and thus help your acceleration. (For a drastic comparison think about 1st gear vs 3rd gear, which one accelerates your car forward faster?)

That isn't a mechanical engineering response but it's the general idea of things, so a shorter gear just transfers more torque to the wheels and that allows the car to move forward more quickly, but your rpms will be higher at the same speed in all gears. So on the freeway your rpms will be up higher at 60rpms with a 4.10 than they would be with what you have now, because the manual transmission has shorter gears than the automatic (I think).

[SedanSandwich]

Megasquirt is a highly DIY engine control system. http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html
If you want to see what it is / short summary. as for tunes, every chip you plug into your computer really just controls the balance between fuel efficiency/ power/ emissions. the miller you can run a bunch of different "tunes" which will change the above factors and you can download more off their site which is cool. also chips are required/ will boost power gained from other mods like intake/exhaust and higher pound injectors. maps as I understand it are a little more involved than tunes/chips and update allot of the wiring and hardwire like different ECU/engine management. hope the info helps and good luck with getting more power.