Re: Can't Wait For The Book So.....

[Wayne 962]

HI
MY NAME IS NIAMBE. I RECENTLY A 93 318i. (yeah, i
know, probably the slowest BMW). Now I need a little
guidance on upgrading its performance. I plan on
buying a remus exhaust, a dinan chip, and a K-n-F
intake, as the first modification (and probably the
only ones I can afford for now as a college kid). Will
I feel a difference in acceleration, or is there a
better route you recommend?

And when exactly will the book be up for grabs?

Thanks in andvance for your time.
-Nimabe

[Wayne 962]

Hi there. I have the same exact car, except mine is an 318is - two door. I've got a Downing-Atlanta Supercharger kit in my office just waiting to be installed on the engine (but that's big bucks...)

I'm not too familiar with the Remus exhaust, but I can tell you this - you won't get much discernable HP from a new exhaust. The chip might help if you couple it with a tranny chip (if you have an automatic). Chips are probably good for 5-10 more HP, if you run the higher octane gas.

The K&N will do nothing for you, as the intake is not a major source of restriction. K&N filters are best for people who want a replaceable filter - not more performance.

Nothing beats displacement or higher intake pressures (forced induction). You can also get 325is motors for pretty cheap these days - a swap is not too difficult.

Cheap, bolt-on HP is really a misnomer...

-Wayne

[Cdempsey]

OK guys I just installed the Downing Atlanta super charger in my 1997 318 ic cab, last weekend, actually just bought the car for this purpose I will have it on the Dino soon to give you some details on the power increase, but for now I can tell you it’s a massive improvement over stock, and Ca smog legal too!!! This project will be measured one step at a time so I can get a data sheet on each change. I will disagree to one point made earlier; this is not all that expensive for a smog legal performance upgrade at a little over 3k. don’t plan on the 8hr installation its much longer than that. The kit is very inclusive and the directions for the install are close to spot on. If you would like more details let me know.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I am also toying around with the idea of building a E36 DOHC 2.5 with a turbo to put into my E30 325. You get get 325 motors for very little these days and they really arent all that hard to work on.

[Roald]

It sounds like a very silly exercise! There is no big difference in prices between 318 and 325. Take the money and buy 325 as all these mods will not make 318 to have the same hp 325 has. What a waste of time!
Or for that matter it looks even more silly if a guy has dinan chip and he can't tell when was the last time when air/fuel filter and spark plug wires were replaced.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I intend to use a 325 motor. not a 4 cylinder.

[Roald]

Sorry, my reply was meant to the original message where a guy got 318 and wanted more hp out of a car.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

'sall good.

I have been doing a lot of research about this. Practicality, feasibility, expense. I'd like to document the whole thing, then eventually pass what i learn onto the posters here. So far, the hardest thing about the install seems to be adapting the harness for the dme and the ecu (I'd like to keep as much of the wiring as stock as possible. I would also have to fabricate a custom exhaust system. (lots of measurements and welding. also gives me a reason to buy a arc welder!)

[Black328iS]

if i were you, if you get the Dinan chip, i would stick with just Dinan stuff..

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Dinan stuff is ok, but there are better products out there for less.

[Wayne 962]

Dude, you're ahead of my schedule on the SuperCharger install. I hope to get to it before May!

-Wayne