need help withb some performance mods

[Natethegreatess]

Hey guys I am pretty new when it comes to performance mods. I have a 1994 BMW E36 325is. I would just like to know what kind of engine mods that are not too expensive. Just need some clarification on somethings like different tuning chips and cat back exausts. Thanks:redspot

[coconutmnky]

Turbocharger!

Don't get an intake. If you're thinking about one I've got a couple of posts that'll change your mind.

You can pick up a good exhaust for $400-600.

Turner motorsports sells a nice chip.

Thing is, these engines weren't designed to make big gains in power. The car is designed to handle well, and you need to upgrade that instead. Coilovers lowered JUST the right amount, sway bars, poly bushings, short shifter - these things help. An exhaust isn't going to gain you seconds on the track. Maybe a couple of tenths.

Before you ever do any mods, do all the maintenance required for your car FIRST. I spend something like $3000-4000 in JUST maintenance before I ever got to doing mods. After all, what good are mods if your car handles like crap because the suspension is blown and runs like crap because the spark plugs aren't sparking well?

Also, search. There's tons of DIYs available on the interwebs. I never worked on any car before, and I jumped right into it with my E36. Now I probably know enough to pass an ASE test, if I bothered to try!

BTW, you also might find that sometimes as you're doing maintenance, you might be able to do a mod at the same time. For example, if your shocks are blown, instead of replacing them with OEM shocks, get coilovers and poly bushings. Knock out a few things at once!

[locks325is]

Below are the most popular NA engine mods for your 325. There is a very large aftermarket for the e36. Check out the "Dyno Sheet" parked at the top of the e36 section. Have fun!

S50/52 cams: $250 - 350
Under drive pulleys: $200 - 250
Cat back: $250 - 1000
Cold air intake: $20 - 500
Chip: $40 - 600

[Natethegreatess]

Turbocharger!

Don't get an intake. If you're thinking about one I've got a couple of posts that'll change your mind.

You can pick up a good exhaust for $400-600.

Turner motorsports sells a nice chip.

Thing is, these engines weren't designed to make big gains in power. The car is designed to handle well, and you need to upgrade that instead. Coilovers lowered JUST the right amount, sway bars, poly bushings, short shifter - these things help. An exhaust isn't going to gain you seconds on the track. Maybe a couple of tenths.

Before you ever do any mods, do all the maintenance required for your car FIRST. I spend something like $3000-4000 in JUST maintenance before I ever got to doing mods. After all, what good are mods if your car handles like crap because the suspension is blown and runs like crap because the spark plugs aren't sparking well?

Also, search. There's tons of DIYs available on the interwebs. I never worked on any car before, and I jumped right into it with my E36. Now I probably know enough to pass an ASE test, if I bothered to try!

BTW, you also might find that sometimes as you're doing maintenance, you might be able to do a mod at the same time. For example, if your shocks are blown, instead of replacing them with OEM shocks, get coilovers and poly bushings. Knock out a few things at once!

Thanks man. I wasn't planning on getting an intake anyways. I was looking very closely at the stromung cat back exhaust. I am not planning on street racing or anything. I would just like more umph under the hood when I need it. But i really don't have the cash to do all the suspension just yet. I can really just afford right now probably a chip and that exhaust

[Natethegreatess]

Below are the most popular NA engine mods for your 325. There is a very large aftermarket for the e36. Check out the "Dyno Sheet" parked at the top of the e36 section. Have fun!

S50/52 cams: $250 - 350
Under drive pulleys: $200 - 250
Cat back: $250 - 1000
Cold air intake: $20 - 500
Chip: $40 - 600


thanks a lot

[locks325is]

Thanks man. I wasn't planning on getting an intake anyways. I was looking very closely at the stromung cat back exhaust. I am not planning on street racing or anything. I would just like more umph under the hood when I need it. But i really don't have the cash to do all the suspension just yet. I can really just afford right now probably a chip and that exhaust

I would go with cams above the exhaust, that will only change the way the car sounds. The cams will put a smile on your face!

[Natethegreatess]

I would go with cams above the exhaust, that will only change the way the car sounds. The cams will put a smile on your face!
I would like a beefier sound than the stock exhaust. All i will probably do to it this summer is just a catback exhaust and maybe cams. Can you post a link with the good prices on the cams?

[ItsBlack]

I did this about a week ago. I thought it was pretty cool. I love the sound!

http://www.brazeauracing.com/airbox.htm

[Natethegreatess]

I did this about a week ago. I thought it was pretty cool. I love the sound!

http://www.brazeauracing.com/airbox.htm

Thanks, great mod there and seen some vids and the sound is a lot better. are you using a different Air filter too?

[darkhorrus]

Thanks, great mod there and seen some vids and the sound is a lot better. are you using a different Air filter too?

I'll jump on this while I can. I had a debaffled airbox in my old e36 and it sounded great- I threw in a K&N and it performs better than a cai. if you're interested, I still have my filter- I took it out after a week because I wanted to run a cai(I had gotten a carbonfiber one for free and wanted to test it out- a day later someone totalled my car)

Anyways- the 325's engine is somewhat lacking. if I were you I'd do a few mods(like intake, exhaust, pullies and a tune) and then just save for an engine swap- I used to have a 328is which I was modding extensively- now after getting a 318(s50 swapped) If I had to do it over again, I'd just swap in another engine. there are plenty of s52's online f/s for <2k.- another option is to just pick up a block somewhere and build it- s50/52's and m50/52's are like legos and plentiful all over. read around a bit and you'll find a wealth of knowledge on engine building

[Natethegreatess]

I'll jump on this while I can. I had a debaffled airbox in my old e36 and it sounded great- I threw in a K&N and it performs better than a cai. if you're interested, I still have my filter- I took it out after a week because I wanted to run a cai(I had gotten a carbonfiber one for free and wanted to test it out- a day later someone totalled my car)

Anyways- the 325's engine is somewhat lacking. if I were you I'd do a few mods(like intake, exhaust, pullies and a tune) and then just save for an engine swap- I used to have a 328is which I was modding extensively- now after getting a 318(s50 swapped) If I had to do it over again, I'd just swap in another engine. there are plenty of s52's online f/s for <2k.- another option is to just pick up a block somewhere and build it- s50/52's and m50/52's are like legos and plentiful all over. read around a bit and you'll find a wealth of knowledge on engine building

Thanks for the input. I really just want more umph when I want to also sound. I am planning this summer to get a cat back exhaust and probably a underdrive pulley kit.

[locks325is]

The cam swap is the best na power mod you can do, exhaust & intake do NOTHING but make the car SOUND like it has more power. Cams equal MORE power by themselves, if you want "umph" that's what you should do. You should be able to get the cams and have them installed for about $600. Once that's done get pulleys, cai & exhaust, save the tune for last. Also the cams change the sound of the engine, at idle it's silent, at wot it roars! Keep an eye in this thread for cams: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=213

[ChuckDizzle]

Hey guys I am pretty new when it comes to performance mods. I have a 1994 BMW E36 325is. I would just like to know what kind of engine mods that are not too expensive. Just need some clarification on somethings like different tuning chips and cat back exausts. Thanks:redspot

so, what's your realistic budget? There's plenty out there, aftermarket support for the e36 is great but you need, but you gotta pay to play in this game.

What are your power goals? Do you prefer low-end acceleration or do you want something with lots of top-end power? Depending on what you are looking for will determine the complimentary mods you would want.

[Natethegreatess]

so, what's your realistic budget? There's plenty out there, aftermarket support for the e36 is great but you need, but you gotta pay to play in this game.

What are your power goals? Do you prefer low-end acceleration or do you want something with lots of top-end power? Depending on what you are looking for will determine the complimentary mods you would want.

mostly just low-end acceleration. Like I said I just want some more umph when I need it. I am not going to 24/7 beat this car because really it is going to be my only car for awhile.

[ChuckDizzle]

mostly just low-end acceleration. Like I said I just want some more umph when I need it. I am not going to 24/7 beat this car because really it is going to be my only car for awhile.

source a close ratio differential. Improves acceleration by shortening each gear. No change in power, but an improvement in initial acceleration. Mods don't mean you have to beat on the car. If anything, you should beat on the car, they tend to run better and longer when you open them up.

Intake, exhaust and chip won't add umph. They'll increase noise and butt dyno performance. The car will drive more efficiently and you'll experience much better throttle response. A few more RPMs since most chips raise the rev limiter as well. Not to mention, those mods usually address top-end peak horsepower. Torque is what you need.

[locks325is]

Look for a 3.38 from a auto m3, if you don't do a lot hwy driving then a 3.91 would be really quick. You may already have a 3.15 in your car, if so you can make back some the $ spent by selling it.