BMW E36 Forum

Hi, has anyone had any experience in tuning this engine I've looked at loads of possibilities superchargers, chips, cams etc but can't decide what would give me the best results and what to do next, I already have a full powerflow exhaust system and induction kit. I would like to hear from anyone who has modified this engine. Thanks Michael.

i could do with some help tyo lol. just ordered a peco exhaust off bmtown and gona get an induction kit next. you know start off small and all that.

Heres a link to a website that does superchargers and turbos.
http://www.koperformance.com/BMW/turbo_ ... /index.htm
As far as everything else goes you could remap the e.c.u and grab a bit of power out of that.
Personally though i feel the best way to get more power would be by selling your car and buying a 323, 325 or bigger. BMW are really good cars mechanically but the more power you start squeezing out of the 1.8 engine the more failures you will find with your engine. BMW designed the 318 engine to put out 110/120 bhp and not 200bhp, the more power you start squeezing out of the engine the more parts you are going to have to replace for bigger, stronger parts and that will start getting very expensive. If you dont replace them you will end up sending chunks of metal tearing out of the engine and be left with a buggered engine and a huge bill for the rebuild.

If you still want the car to be faster, id, instead of getting more power, would put her on a diet and strip every non essential out, spare wheel, tools, sound deadening behind door cards, carpet, every bit of plastic you can see, abs unit. Then if you wanted to put some money into it you could replace the glass with plexi glass, carbon bonnet, carbon boot lid, replace all the seats with light weight bucket seats. There is an endless amount you could and you could end up saving in excess of 200 or 300kilo (same weight as 4 adults). You may not end up with up the same performance as if it had a supercharger but it will certainly run circles around it with its new handling capabilities.

Sorry for the really long reply but thats just my view.

thanks buddy. will bare that in mind. wana upgrade next year so i will just be patiant. roll on 325!!!!!

I have a weekend car, a Mitsubishi Legnum VR4 twin turbo that is designed to put out 280BHP. But with a few little mods iv upped it to 360ish BHP. Its an amazing car but it breaks my heart, at least once a month i spend a full weekend repairing the dam thing!! Its so highly strung that it just doesn't make sense in doing the same thing to a car you would be using everyday. If you had a 2nd car that you could really rely on, id say go ahead, would love to see a crazily tricked e36 putting out some amazing figures.

Mine has the Conforti chip, K&N intake, lightened flywheel with a stage 3 clutch, vador seats, 18" Beyern mesh wheels. It pulls very well. I'd guess the HP to be in the 163 range. (138 stock)

As far as everything else goes you could remap the e.c.u and grab a bit of power out of that.
Personally though i feel the best way to get more power would be by selling your car and buying a 323, 325 or bigger. BMW are really good cars mechanically but the more power you start squeezing out of the 1.8 engine the more failures you will find with your engine. BMW designed the 318 engine to put out 110/120 bhp and not 200bhp, the more power you start squeezing out of the engine the more parts you are going to have to replace for bigger, stronger parts and that will start getting very expensive. If you dont replace them you will end up sending chunks of metal tearing out of the engine and be left with a buggered engine and a huge bill for the rebuild.

If you still want the car to be faster, id, instead of getting more power, would put her on a diet and strip every non essential out, spare wheel, tools, sound deadening behind door cards, carpet, every bit of plastic you can see, abs unit. Then if you wanted to put some money into it you could replace the glass with plexi glass, carbon bonnet, carbon boot lid, replace all the seats with light weight bucket seats. There is an endless amount you could and you could end up saving in excess of 200 or 300kilo (same weight as 4 adults). You may not end up with up the same performance as if it had a supercharger but it will certainly run circles around it with its new handling capabilities.

Sorry for the really long reply but thats just my view.
re.. i wuld like to point out that a bmw m10..came with 90 bhp.and dtm and fourmula 1 teams got 800+ hp and it lived forever so building a m42 to 200 hp will not shorten your engine life..remember its a bmw not a crx honda..