Suggestions for "Mild" Performance Upgrades for M10 engine

[dwillard]

I would like to get just a bit more performance out of the M10 engine in my 1984 318i.

So far my thoughts are running along the lines of:
1. Rebuild the head (Engine has about 200,000 miles on it);
2. Put in a high-lift cam (Schrick or similar);
3. Install headers and a free-flow exhaust (street-legal).

I would much appreciate any thoughts on both my overall concept as well as specific suggestions for what I should use for a cam, headers, etc.

Thanks.

Digby

[VIDA]

for the 318?

www.metricmechanic.com
check out their m42 engine upgrades....a little more than a couple of "minor" upgrades, but check out the video on the main page of the m42 e30....gnarly

[dwillard]

Vida,

Thanks much for the info. The M42 is an impressive sight in an E30 318i. This is a bit further than I want to go, though.

For the time being, anyway, my thoughts are along the lines of a top-end rebuild, a Schrick 284 cam, and an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and free flow exhaust if needed to get the full benefit of the cam.

If this doesn't do the job, then perhaps I would look at an engine swap.

Digby

[Schneller]

For the money, I'd spend it on a gearing change. At least that's something you'll feel in the seat of your pants and not just in your wallet.

The '84 318i came w/ a 3.64 final drive unit. You can change that to a 3.91 (from a 325ix automatic), or a 4.10 (from a 91 318i, 325i auto '88-91, or e30 M3). All these units will bolt in & are the larger heavier housing units (except for '91 318) Don't forget to get a rear end w/ posi traction. Off the line acceleration will be greatly improved as will roll on & passing performance. We've got a 91 318is 4.10 posi traction rear end in stock used, $350 + shipping.

Good Luck

Schneller

Mike Morris
Schneller BMW Performance
Newbury, MA
978.465.2002

[Nostril Cheese]

You need to check the diff housing before you do that. I'm pretty sure that the early E30 318 diff housings were different.

[Schneller]

The 318 housings are smaller, but all e30 housings will bolt into all e30 cars w/out changing drive shafts or half shafts. That's the beauty of e30s...you can mix and match parts among models to a great extent!

Schneller

[dwillard]

Mike,

Thanks for your input. I am familiar with your line of reasoning.

For the past several weeks I have been running an eBay search for a 4.10 LSD from a 318is, though more for information at this point than as a priority. They are a bit tough to find, however, so somewhere down the road I may take you up on the one that Schneller has, if you haven't already sold it by then.

Right now my top priority is head work. I have a rebuilt head on the shelf ready to go on my 318i. If I am going to put in a cam this would seem to be the logical time to do it. Why go thru all the hassle of removing/installing a head twice?

I have had good success with a cam & improved exhaust on carburetted vehicles, and so far I see no reason it would not work on an injected vehicle as well.

Putting in a 4.10 LSD as well should make the results even better.

Digby

[Schneller]

Check out top End Performance found at: http://www.racetep.com/bmw.html
They do alot of M10 stuff (mostly 2002) and have CAMs and probably headers.

Denon Performance 604.464.4401 is a good source for Schrick CAMs.

Have fun and let us know if you need a differential

Schneller

[VIDA]

carb'd vehicles and motronic are way different, though. you'll probably need a chip to take advantage of any cam "upgrades" i.e. timing. the stock computer will think it's still in stock setup (timing/fuel mixture) without it. otherwise you might just end up with a poor running/idling bmw 4 banger. good luck

[dwillard]

Vida,

Your input is well-taken.

As a point of fact, however,the M10 318i has an L-Jetronic ECU rather than Motronic. The L-Jetronic is analog rather than digital and cannot be "chipped". The various engine components can be set individually, however, which does allow for a certain amount of tuning.

In working thru this business of what I can and cannot do for upgrades I have learned that the Schrick 284 cam works well with the injected M10---but it is about the limit on what can be installed and driven on the street. If someone wants to run a cam with greater duration, then generally the solution is to switch to carburetors.

I finally realized that this is how the BMW 2002 got so much performance from an M10 engine---dual sidedraft carburetors and a hot cam. Emissions control was not a major factor when the 2002 came out.

I am by no means any kind of expert on any of this---mostly just repeating what I have learned from reading up on the subject and doing some research.

Take care.

Digby

[Schneller]

On one of our more exhorbitant 2002 restorations we took a brand new factory crate 2002tii engine & converted it to an '84 318i engine management system & installed a conservative grind schrick cam. We eliminated the idle stabilizer system & installed a manually adjustable valve. The car start & idles well, is quite fast & passes mass state emissions. What more could you want?

For this type of mod you don't need to get all tangled up in chip tuning. If you want to make a high strung 4 cyl a carb set up is the way to go. But let's face it, it's an M10 how much $ are you going to spent to get a little bit of power. More over, the 318 might not be emissions exempt and so all that carb work might make the car illegal. If you're looking at that kind of money, buy a wrecked 325is & swap in the drivetrain, or just buy a 325i for that matter.

Race cars are one thing, street cars are another. Race cars needing to compete in a certain class can justify spending all kinds of money to get the most power out of their engine & still remain in a given class. These cars also don't need to idle smoothly or perform smoothly in stop & go traffic. A street car needs to be reliable, drivable & legal. I've seen too many people spend lots of $ building an uncomfortable street car that only drives well under full throttle, has no low end torque & can't get a state emissions inspection sticker.

Cars that can't pass emissions really aren't that cool these days.

Schneller

[dwillard]

Schneller,

Thanks for your comment.

Sounds as though you had a lot of fun with the 2002 restoration you described above. If time and money were of no object for me, I would consider something similar---or at least building an engine based on the 2.0 liter M10 block used in the 2002.

I have no intention and no interest in putting carburetors on my 318i, by the way. I was simply sharing the tiny fragment of knowledge I have on the subject in my comment to Vida, above.

Digby

[Schneller]

No problem. Info sharing is what it's all about. If I can keep someone from building something they don't want, but help guide them to something they'll be happy with, then my job is done.


Schneller

[dwillard]

Schneller,

This is getting back to the long-range-thinking concept of building a 2.0 liter M10 for my 318i.

Where would be a logical place to look for a tired 2002 engine?

Also, what are your thoughts about replacing an M10 with an M42?

The most obvious hassle that jumps out at me is the differences between L Jetronic and Motronic Engine Management Systems.

What other problems, other than common sense, would present major challenges?

Just some long, long-range thinking for when I get really bored.

Digby

[Schneller]

2002 AD is a salvage yard in California that may be able to hook you up with an engine. The factory rebuilt Tii engine was relatively cheap, about $3500, but you'll have to check on availability as BMW only made 13 when we purchased & they sold every unit. They will however continue to make more.

Installing an M42 ( from a '91 e30 318i) is really fairly straightforward. You'd use the entire engine w/ accessories, mounts and the accompanying fuel injection/engine harness and computer. The only wiring interface would be at the fuse box connector 101. On your 318 there are only 7 or so wires that really need to be connected to get the car to run. Beyond that you'll need the M42's clutch & flywheel, transmission w/ shifter & drive shaft, as well as the CAT converter & rear exhaust.

The M42 is a peppy little power plant, but still no 325i as far as torque goes. There aren't a heck of a lot of them available used either, but they can be found.

Schneller

[dwillard]

Schneller,

Thanks much for your insight and the reference to 2002 AD. I'll take a shot at locating them, just for future reference.

My eBay search for a 2002 engine turned up a block for about $50.00 + shipping. I have also seen complete 2002 motors listed for sale in "Roundel" Magazine in the past, so I would guess some digging would turn up a rebuildable engine.

As far as availability of the M42, I have had an eBay search going for several weeks and think I have three M42's I'm watching, though at least one of them is from an E36 318i.

Now that I have better information and have given it a bit more thought, seems like the intelligent way to get an E30 318i with an M42 would be to buy a used one that way. I was thinking that the M42 first came out with the E36---not the last of the E30 318i's.

Thanks for catching me on this.

Take care.

Digby Willard

[dwillard]

Schneller,

Several posts back you mentioned having a 1991 318i 4.10 LSD differential for sale for $350.00 + shipping.

If it is still available, I would be interested in getting a shipping cost to zip code 66205 (Kansas City area).

Thanks.

Digby

[Schneller]

Given the weight, shipping to your zip code via UPS ground would be $45. I'll be out of town from 2.5.07 thru 2.13.07. Either email or phone me today or lets connect on the 14th.

Mike Morris
Schneller BMW Performance
Newbury, MA 01951
978.465.2002
schnellerbmw@verizon.net

[dwillard]

Mike Morris,

I will get back to you at your e-mail address after I make this post, then will try to reach you by phone on the 14th to talk to you directly concerning a purchase of the 1991 318iS 4.10 LSD.

I'm very interested in the differential. As this is in all reality a hobby project, however, rather than an immediate pressing need for a vehicle I have to have on the road for immediate survival, I want to wait a few more days until I am sure of my discretionary funding before making a final commitment to purchase the differential. If you should sell it in the meantime, then I will need to look elsewhere for my 4.10 LSD differential.

And I will have to add that I am also quite impressed with your posts to this thread. Your comments bounce very well off my own experience with automotive mechanics in general, even though my direct experience with BMw's is admittedly a bit limited. You come across as quite knowledgeable on the BMW M10 engine in particular and the BMW E30 in general.

In short, you come across as a guy in whose insight I would have confidence.

I look forward to doing business with you in the near future, and to discussing more E30 matters with you in the indefinite future.

Digby Willard

[Schneller]

Thanks DWillard! I'm back in town.

Schneller