Upgrading the M42

E30m42cab · Apr 9, 2006

By putting on this K&N, and installing a Dinan Performance Chip (D900-1833), how much of a performance gain should I expect? 15bhp? I haven't even driven my baby in 5 months (storage), and I've bought these two parts already so I'm just wondering what this will do for my car in a couple weeks when I get to drive it again. Is there anything else aside from a multi throttle intake and a set of racing cams (and a racing stripe and spoiler!) that will give my little 4-banger a little more pop?

cheers,

Scott

epj3 · Apr 9, 2006

With no heat sheild? Probably gain nothing. The chip alone should be a noticeable difference, check their site for specs. The filter really needs a heat shield to do ANYTHING other than slow you down.

Big Daddy · Apr 9, 2006

Eric is correct, drawing all that hot air is going to reduce your power not increase it. You need something to direct cold air into the filter and block the hot air under the hood from getting sucked up.

In my m42 I felt like the Confortti chip was better suited to the e30 318is than the Dinan. In my roadster I like my Dinan.

echothreezero · Apr 10, 2006

All I can say is agree that with no heat sheild you'll probably lose 5HP - with properply built cold air intake you may gain 3-5HP with the filter if you are lucky.

A chip may help but don't expect any gain that even closely resembles value-for-money.

Big Daddy · Apr 10, 2006

I am not sure, with my 91 318is I got some noticable improvements with the JC chip and I felt it was well woth the investment. I am not sure I would spend the money for the Dinan, or maybe that is what you meant?

nadroj · Apr 10, 2006

the chip is by far the best upgrade for the m42

E30m42cab · Apr 10, 2006

Well, I bought the Dinan chip from Turner Motorsport for only $75... so I think it was a good deal. I had a Turner MS/Conforti chip in my 325e, and I noticed a big difference... especially in taking the speed limiter off. Before the chip, the car would top out at 180kph, with the chip I was able to go in excess of 215kph. I know this chip will not give me that much of an improvement because when you get right down to it, I'm still dealing with a 4 cylinder that just plain runs out of "gusto" at the top end.
How hot will it really get on that side of the engine? The exhaust is on the other side of the K&N. It'll still be getting cool air from behind the headlights when I'm moving. This has been bugging me... the whole heat shield thing... I tried to get the 57i kit, but all the speed shops around here told me it isn't available in North America. Either that or they were not interested in my business because my car does not have a "H" on the hood.
So, can anyone give me an idea of where I can get a heat shield? (I could probably just weld one together, but I'd like it to look good too.) Anyone have a used one I could buy off of them?

Big Daddy · Apr 10, 2006

You got a good deal on the Dinan chip, but the air under that hood regardless of where your exhaust is is way to hot to be using for your air/fuel mixture. Try some of our suppliers in the Marketplace section of this forum for heat sheilds, or Bav Auto, HMS Motorsports, etc.

epj3 · Apr 10, 2006

echothreezero said:

Nah chips make a HUGE difference, even if it's not a big hp increase, it typically flattens the torque curve.

And about the heat shield -- You're forgetting there is a radiator and fan, that PURPOSELY draws air through the front of the radiator (outside) into the engine bay. No matter what, you're going to suck in hot air.

E30m42cab · Apr 11, 2006

epj3 said:

Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll work on finding one.

thanks guys.

Scott

echothreezero · Apr 11, 2006

The chip debate is a tricky one as no-one has yet posted they have real-world dyno results for their car before and after chipping. "Seat-of-the-pants" dyno is always open to rebuttal. Also, it will also have something to sdo with the cost of chips in NZ - we have to have them shipped from the US and with the current poor exchange rate and shipping; the cost is not really worth the improvement. Perhaps its different for you statesiders.

Big Daddy · Apr 11, 2006

I do not believe anyone is going to pay for a dyno after chipping an M42, regardless it raises the rev limiter and that alone is worth the price, asssuming your in the US. I am not sure it is open to rebuttal, maybe debate but how do you rebut my experience? I never had one person argue that my 91 318is, chipped, Dinan Stage III suspension, etc was not fast and tight! Numerous people drove it, on and off the track, when I sold her with 164k on the clock the first person to drive it bought it for my asking price, after having driven three others first. Speaks for itself!

epj3 · Apr 11, 2006

I absolutely KNOW the chips make a HUGE difference, even besides the rev limit. Dinan has dyno's on their site (and if they dont, someone will) Dan is right - the M42- powered e30's keep up with the 6 cylinder models! In fact on a track will BEAT the 6 cyl versions.

E30m42cab · Apr 12, 2006

To have that chip shipped from the US to Canada, it cost me an extra $45.... but still I think it was a good purchase. There's a couple places in my area that do Dinan installs (I'll do the chip myself), so once I have save a bit of cash, I'll probably get them to do a Dinan suspension setup, and then when my muffler wastes away (which it sound like it's getting there) I'll bolt on a Dinan... I think that'll give me enough points for a badge. Yes/no?

Febi Guibo · Apr 19, 2006

Is anybody using a Mark D. chip?

I had a talk with him last week, he's a super guy and seems real knowledgeable about this stuff. I'm saving up for one of his chips now!

As far as other upgrades... putting in a lighter flywheel can really help too. Anything that reduces reciprocating mass or driveline losses helps smaller engines like ours a lot.

E30m42cab · Apr 21, 2006

That's a possiblity, but only when the clutch needs replacing. As for right now, once I get the chip in, and the B&M short shifter in, the next upgrade will be suspension by Dinan hopefully. Probably not the Stage III, but hopefully the Stage II.
Just out of curiousity, has anyone ever installed/drivin an M42 with a multi throttle intake?

Febi Guibo · Apr 21, 2006

yeah, there is the dbilas unit and there's also a guy doing an ITB setup here.

There is also an ITB setup for the M42 available from http://gttechnic.com but it's really race only.

It's a great mod... my only major complaint with the 318iS is the relatively slow throttle response...

E30m42cab · Apr 23, 2006

I'm pretty sure the dbilas model is the exact same one I can get from BMP design. By any chance, does the S14 ITB bolt on to the M42, or is it completely different?

Febi Guibo · Apr 24, 2006

The S14 ITB won't fit... however... the basic layout of an M42 is, 2/3'rds of an S50/52 (or, as I like to say, the S50 is an M42 with 2 extra cylinders

)

so there is the possibility of using parts from that engine.... although it's also expensive.

In general:

M10 -> S14
M42 -> S42
M42 + 2 cylinders = S52 (re: block spacing, bore, etc.)*

Check on Tim_s' posts on his project and hopefully his ITB setup will be done soon.

*pls. no flaming responses re: 'you said the M42 was the same as an S52' etc. thanks!

epj3 · Apr 24, 2006

Febi Guibo said:

The S14 ITB won't fit... however... the basic layout of an M42 is, 2/3'rds of an S50/52 (or, as I like to say, the S50 is an M42 with 2 extra cylinders

)

so there is the possibility of using parts from that engine.... although it's also expensive.

In general:

M10 -> S14
M42 -> S42
M42 + 2 cylinders = S52 (re: block spacing, bore, etc.)*

Check on Tim_s' posts on his project and hopefully his ITB setup will be done soon.

*pls. no flaming responses re: 'you said the M42 was the same as an S52' etc. thanks!

Actually the M42 with 2 extra cylinders will be more closely related to the S50

Upgrading the M42

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