Is 200 HP possible with bolt ons?

[nando]

I'd say 10whp if you are lucky. the stock ignition system is just fine for the power levels the a stock M20 is capable of, so don't waste time there. it already has a "cold air" intake, but you might gain 1-2hp with a good cone filter and heat shield. swap the AFM if you want to make your car run like ass; you can "tune" it if you want but the ECU isn't going ot know that you've changed the air metering system (which is the single most important sensor your engine relies on to determine fuel and spark).

the only things worth spending time/money on are GOOD headers/exhaust and a chip. everything else is bunk. if you want to get crazy you can do a cam swap, but on stock compression (8.8:1) anything more than a 272 isn't going to help.

the M20 isn't a bolt on engine. people keep trying to reinvent the wheel but they need to get over the fact that the design has been around since the 70's and virtually everything has already been done a billion times before. if you want more power, you can have it - but it's not cheap or easy.

actually, if you want more power from your engine - get it running in top shape with stock parts. the guys who run in classes like SpecE30 and Pro3 have pretty much stock engines that are likely making more power than 90% of "modified" M20s simply because they are maintained and healthy. adding bolt-ons to a tired/unloved engine isn't going to help anything.

[Lurker27]

Yes, I've driven several original S.A. M Technik 333s.

Not so much that they were nose heavy (plenty of ballast added) they are just PLAIN heavy.

The e30 chassis was desiged arount the M10 power plant and with the s14 (in full race dress) ran like a raped ape...hence one of the most successful factory race machines ever built.

The M20 isn't all that bad (especially if you tuck it under the cowl by about 400mm) but the M30s are just to heavy for the chassis dimentions.

The weight difference is nearly offset by losing A/C and sitting the engine further back in most cases. Granted, still not as light as an M10 with no AC, but I'm pretty sure you can almost get it back to stock balance.

[StereoInstaller1]

MS&S should get you to about 150, plus lose the AFM. NOS + retard for the rest of the 200.

I wouldn't do it either.

[deutschman]

you don't think you can turbo an m20 in cali?
the reality of the matter is, if you want to get any power out of a motor you are going to need to spend $! the only thing i can suggest to get more power out of an m20 after bolt ons is machine shop work. port and polish, honed and bored that sort of thing. increase the displacement.
also search the forums more because there are a lot of posts about this topic and topics closely relating to it.

[DCColegrove]

It's all about volumetric efficiency, balance and thermal control.

Interpretation: Money

[E30 Cabrio]

you don't think you can turbo an m20 in cali?
the reality of the matter is, if you want to get any power out of a motor you are going to need to spend $! the only thing i can suggest to get more power out of an m20 after bolt ons is machine shop work. port and polish, honed and bored that sort of thing. increase the displacement.
also search the forums more because there are a lot of posts about this topic and topics closely relating to it.

I thought it wasn't possible to pass smog in Calif with an turbo on a car that didn't come from the factory with one.

Is it worth spending $200.00 on a chip that promises 15HP?

What are the real numbers on these chips?

I have an ebay clone chip. Do the hi-dollar chips actually put out the 15HP that the makers advertised?

15HP would be a near 10% boost in HP for a few hundred bucks, but I don't want to spend that much on a chip if those numbers are exaggerated.

[z31maniac]

^Spend your money on maintenance and suspension if you haven't already.

Its going to take a chunk of change just to get all the suspension components (including bushings) replaced. And that will be much more rewarding as far as driving the car is concerned, than a few more HP.

It will easily soak up over $2k to get your suspension done properly, that's assuming you do all the labor.

[nando]

I thought it wasn't possible to pass smog in Calif with an turbo on a car that didn't come from the factory with one.

Is it worth spending $200.00 on a chip that promises 15HP?

What are the real numbers on these chips?

I have an ebay clone chip. Do the hi-dollar chips actually put out the 15HP that the makers advertised?

15HP would be a near 10% boost in HP for a few hundred bucks, but I don't want to spend that much on a chip if those numbers are exaggerated.

they are exaggerated, especially Dinan bullshit parts, and especially their stuff for the E30.

MarkD should be your best bet, or JimC. it's about the best you can do for a bolt on mod, but that claimed 15hp power gain is in the middle of the powerband (which *is* useful) not at the peak.

[bmw_e30]

I made 170 RWHP on my M20. Works out to about 200 WHP using 17% driveline loss.

I just had a chip/intake/exhaust.

I feel for the new generation of E30 owners.

[kamotors]

suspension made me the happiest, and is something that other people notice, and makes you handle really good, so you can go out handle 200hp cars. chip and CAI would be next, high flow cat, knocked .2 seconds off of my 0-60, because old one was clogged, i can run a 7.0 0-60 in my auto, dont believe me go watch the video. all these runs were with 87 octane with a 91 octane mark d chip at 6000ft elevation( my car got killed the day i put 91 in so ill film more videos as soon as the body shop gets my car back to me) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsR1WWaKNh4

[nando]

suspension made me the happiest, and is something that other people notice, and makes you handle really good, so you can go out handle 200hp cars. chip and CAI would be next, high flow cat, knocked .2 seconds off of my 0-60, because old one was clogged, i can run a 7.0 0-60 in my auto, dont believe me go watch the video. all these runs were with 87 octane with a 91 octane mark d chip at 6000ft elevation( my car got killed the day i put 91 in so ill film more videos as soon as the body shop gets my car back to me) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsR1WWaKNh4

you are still an idiot. I want to see a real time slip of that 7.0 0-60 (which is still fucking slow) not a youtube video of you "racing" on the street.

[E30 Cabrio]

I already know what the suspension parts will do, I'm wondering about the claims of these chipmakers, and if other bolts ons such as headers are worth it as the HP gains seem minimal.

Same with exhaust. Is it worth spending 300 bucks on a muffler that gets you 2-3 HP?

My suspension is in good shape, it just needs upgraded shocks and springs which will be done soon but I'm more then happy with the way the car handles right now, but it's a bit on the slow side, especially for someone like myself who used to own Corvettes and is used to having 345 HP on tap, along with a shitload of torque.

I'm curious to see some real world numbers from members who have done some of these mods like cold air intake, headers, exhaust and if it's made much of a difference, or if I should just forgo those mods if they will cost me a bunch of money and give only minimal gains.

Also, does anyone know the real numbers that these chip makers claim?

15 HP sounds like exaggeration and I would think that number is probably actually half of that, like 7-8 HP

Maybe a chip and a 4.10 would make me happier, but I already have a chip, although it's an ebay chip.

This is why I'm trying to get some real world numbers before dropping $250.00 for a Mark D or Jim C chip.

I would happily spend the money if I knew for sure that a Jim C or Mark D chip would give me a 15 HP bump.

[Fidhle007]

you are still an idiot. I want to see a real time slip of that 7.0 0-60 (which is still fucking slow) not a youtube video of you "racing" on the street.

I couldn't agree more. What type of timing device are you using to get that 7.0 0-60 time?

[Fidhle007]

I already know what the suspension parts will do, I'm wondering about the claims of these chipmakers, and if other bolts ons such as headers are worth it as the HP gains seem minimal.

Same with exhaust. Is it worth spending 300 bucks on a muffler that gets you 2-3 HP?

My suspension is in good shape, it just needs upgraded shocks and springs which will be done soon but I'm more then happy with the way the car handles right now, but it's a bit on the slow side, especially for someone like myself who used to own Corvettes and is used to having 345 HP on tap, along with a shitload of torque.

I'm curious to see some real world numbers from members who have done some of these mods like cold air intake, headers, exhaust and if it's made much of a difference, or if I should just forgo those mods if they will cost me a bunch of money and give only minimal gains.

Also, does anyone know the real numbers that these chip makers claim?

15 HP sounds like exaggeration and I would think that number is probably actually half of that, like 7-8 HP

Maybe a chip and a 4.10 would make me happier, but I already have a chip, although it's an ebay chip.

This is why I'm trying to get some real world numbers before dropping $250.00 for a Mark D or Jim C chip.

I would happily spend the money if I knew for sure that a Jim C or Mark D chip would give me a 15 HP bump.

With a used MarkD chip, 18" glasspacks welded in place of the stock muffler, and a bavauto intake/Lucas Motors heatshield ($380 total) I gained just over a second in the 1/4 mile. I don't have any hardcore dyno numbers but the seat of the pants increase was substantial enough. I would go that route but no more until you can afford a motor swap or forced induction. You'll probably be a bit shy of your 200hp goal but you'll be closer than you were when you started.

[kamotors]

you are still an idiot. I want to see a real time slip of that 7.0 0-60 (which is still fucking slow) not a youtube video of you "racing" on the street.

thanks:) cant count the seconds in the video? all test are actually done on a closed 4mile road, behind a motorcyle shop.i think everyone knows 7 seconds is slow especially now that there a electric cars doing it in under 4.....but its an auto e30 what do you expect.