Bang for the buck

[Jaime1314]

I have a 1988 325i convertable. So far I got headers to dibble cherrybombs later I'm going to finish it of with dual exhaust. Also had an intake but decided to put the stock air box back in. The car has gotten some new parts like new starter new alternator new head gasket set with studs and timing belt. And a used tranny but it still seems to be lagging on power. I don't know if the rear end might be needing some new axle fluid but I check it out just asking wut would some good electronic upgrades be thanks

[Jaime1314]

[ST1G]

I would add a shit ton of stickers for a shit ton of speed. Another thing you could do would be a LS1 turbo build. That would get you lots of power.

In all seriousness though.

I'm not surprised that the new starter, alternator, head gasket, timing belt, and tranny didn't give you way more power. All of those parts have really no bearing on power.

You could put in a electric chip into the ECU. That would be a good electronic upgrade. So would some Focal speakers and Alpine head unit.

New fluid in the rear diff is always nice, but doubtful that you'll feel any increase of power.

[Brezzi]

if your cabrio came with a 5 speed you've prob only got a 3.73 diff try and find a 4.10 LSD. They're pretty necessary because of the cabrio's extra weight.


Cool wheels.

[Jaime1314]

It's auto but I am going to do a 5 speed swap later the one thing I did see is a upgraded air mass sensor. And the chip. New oil would be nice since the car was seating for more then 5 years in a dealers lot.

[Jaime1314]

[Jaime1314]

if your cabrio came with a 5 speed you've prob only got a 3.73 diff try and find a 4.10 LSD. They're pretty necessary because of the cabrio's extra weight.


Cool wheels.

. Enkei apache 4 rare rims

[Brezzi]

ahh you are lucky then you prob have a 4.10 like me I believe all autos came with them. Dude where did you find those enkei's?

what are their specs they look like 15x7s?

[BenDem]

ahh you are lucky then you prob have a 4.10 like me I believe all autos came with them.

I think it depends on the year. Mine's an '88 auto, and it has a 3.73

[MPLFoster]

+1 on the wheels. i like me some Apache iv.

[Ether-D]

I'm not sure, but I think all auto m20b25 came with a 4.10. I bet you get great milage Ben.

[TheTacoMan]

One of the main downfalls to the automatics is the gear ratios, they are terrible for performance.

[BenDem]

I'm not sure, but I think all auto m20b25 came with a 4.10. I bet you get great milage Ben.

A quick google shows that early auto 325i 's came with the 3.73.

if you don't mind downloading a PDF, you can find the info here:

http://e30eta.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Know-your-Differential-EC-12.97.pdf

Oh, and on my cross-country trip last month, I averaged 26 MPG -- most of the driving was with the top down around 70-75 MPH.

[Jaime1314]

One of the main downfalls to the automatics is the gear ratios, they are terrible for performance.

Yeah the tranny on her right now came off a 87 and it feels a lot heavier than the original one. The rims are 14x6 there 4x114 I had to get .75in spacers to fit e'm so there a lil bit wider.

[KIRIEIW]

So let me get this strait, your Original auto failed, bought another one and installed it all while planing on doing a Manual swap, and still want to.