increase performance?
- Thread starter Vincenzo
- Start date
first thing suggested would be to have the valves adjusted, new ignition including sparks, wires, rotor and cap, do your regular maint. stuff like flush coolant, new synthetic oil, larger oil filter, new air filter, refill drive line with Red Line fluids (tranny and differential), and ... thats about it for quick stuff to get your car to running like it used to for cheap.
change the chip is probably the most cost effective. replace intake with cone filter AND heat shield (the one from Lucasbmw.com is the best). for a little more, you can get an Ansa free flow muffler.
my opinion though, is not engine performance, but suspension and braking. stiffer bushings, sway bars, and struts and springs are key for suspension. stainless steel brake lines, new fluid, and pads are highly recommended for brakes.
after that, its straight to power plays, but its recommended that you make sure things are in top shape for a 20 year old car. (clutch system, brake system, sway mounts, strut mounts, ball joints, sub frame mounts, shift linkage, fuel, oil, coolant pumps, etc.
have fun
change the chip is probably the most cost effective. replace intake with cone filter AND heat shield (the one from Lucasbmw.com is the best). for a little more, you can get an Ansa free flow muffler.
my opinion though, is not engine performance, but suspension and braking. stiffer bushings, sway bars, and struts and springs are key for suspension. stainless steel brake lines, new fluid, and pads are highly recommended for brakes.
after that, its straight to power plays, but its recommended that you make sure things are in top shape for a 20 year old car. (clutch system, brake system, sway mounts, strut mounts, ball joints, sub frame mounts, shift linkage, fuel, oil, coolant pumps, etc.
have fun
epj3, synthetic probably will help remove sludge and deposits which have buit up over time using conventional motor oil, but if the motor doesn't leak I would use a recommended solvent to clean everything out and then put in the good stuff.
Vincenzo, take a little time and check out this web site, you'll learn alot of really good info.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi
I would start with Car & Truck Gasoline Engine oil for the first topic then scroll down to
Used oil analysis - gasoline engines. Let me know what you think? Enjoy the car dude.
Vincenzo, take a little time and check out this web site, you'll learn alot of really good info.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi
I would start with Car & Truck Gasoline Engine oil for the first topic then scroll down to
Used oil analysis - gasoline engines. Let me know what you think? Enjoy the car dude.
The best thing you could do to any car to increase its power is to simply make it "breathe" easier. That involves intake modifications as well as exaust. If your really into bringing the performance up on this car, i would pull of the cylinder head have it sent to a machine shop and have it ported and polished, less air resistance equals more air which leads to more power. Also, throw a shrick cam in there to acheve that precise timing and more power. I have the same exact car and those are the first things i'm gonna do as soon as i raise enough money form my summer job.
Man it sux being broke!
Man it sux being broke!
Actually, a cold air intake typically increases power by about 4%, and the exhaust increases it about 8%. You're talking a total of about 8hp max. On a BMW, it would probably be even less, since BMW exhausts are VERY unrestrictive as-is, and if you put TOO free flowing of an exhaust on a naturally aspirated engine, you loose the required backpressure and then loose power despite a louder sound.
I would love to eat some rice, but today, they can put a couple grand into a turbo, intercooler, boost control and have 7-20lbs of boost. Why does it cost 5-6K for us to add the same? Not very fair, it's not like it's premium turbo's or anything, same thing but being associated with BMW raises the price to 2 1/2 times. Otherwise let's face it, very few rice burners are going to burn behind any 325's. I should of opt another 4-10K for a 330i.