Engine upgrade options for 318i(m) E36

[DanPromote]

Dear Sifus,May I know what is the best value/performance upgrade option for a 318(i) E36 manual within JPJ requirements? I want to maintain the manual gearbox as I don't like driving auto cars (slow pickup). Here's what I thought of :-1) Upgrade to 328 or 325 engine with manual transmission (not sure how much it costs)2) custom turbo kit with garett GT28/GT30 and microtech LTX10s standalone ecu (estimate around RM8k)3) change to SR20 dett 2.0 turbo (estimate cost RM5k).

 

[fabianyee]

which 318i engine have? the M40 or the M43?

 

[DanPromote]

it's a 1993 model, so I presume it is the M40?

 

[hkh_88]

93 should be M40, go for M50 manual..... :beaten:

 

[Slide]

JPJ won't let you do an engine swap to one that is higher than 25% of your current capacity. Of course you can still buy your approval if you really wanted it done.

If you want a 328 or 325 it just makes more sence to buy a 328 or 325 than make one yourself.

Cheers.

 

[DanPromote]

I guess 325 and 328 both are out of the question unless I'm prepared to pay loads of undertable money.

Hmm.. how about a custom turbo kit on the existing engine? Has anyone tried turboing their bmws before?

 

[Jipster]

For the amount of money you will need to spend and the amount of increase in power u will get may not justify forced induction.... but then again its your choice. Look thru the following for some ideas:

http://www.downingatlanta.com/

http://www.mosselmanturbo.com/

The SR20DE/T option is also workable. Look here for some info/ideas (you may loose a few friends though )

http://members.shaw.ca/kfgroup/index.htm

 

[kevster30]

Methinks that if you are willing to throw out that kind of cash, it is better off to just change to a 328i, throw in a stroker kit, some cams, a perf chip and ............*taa-daaa* instant gratification!

 

[ersalle]

If current M40 swapping to M42 or M44 would be the best option. Road tax would be the same i presume and the best is you get almost 140bhp.

 

[Jipster]

The next best option is probably to chip the engine. Again not cheap if you are sticking with reputable vendors e.g. superchips, etc..... but performance gain will not be much and they offer driveability improvements rather than outright power.

As to the other mods e.g. free flow filters, exhausts etc..... more of the same apparently. From what I've read most are on the expensive side anyways and do not present value for money.

Dont despair tho.... the E36 318 is still a great car to drive and to own :yes:

 

[ALBundy]

Like what some have mentioned, sell your 318 and get a 325, that would be the simplest option. If you intend to keep your car, then plonk in a 318iS engine with MAF conversion + Unichip, if should be sufficient to play with the GTi and R3 :nyehehe: :nyehehe:

 

[Jipster]

Further info - extract from FAQ section of understeer.com:

"How do I get more power out of my 318?
There's only one easy way to significantly improve the HP output of your 318, a Downing Atlanta supercharger. An aftermarket intake and exhaust will gain you less than 10hp on the 318. Yes it sucks, but it's true. You can spend $1500 or more on intakes, exhausts, chip/software, etc and only end up with a 15hp gain or you can spend $3500 on the DASC and end up with a 70hp gain. Have you noticed that the well-known cold air intake companies don't make a 318 intake? It's not because they don't like you, it's because CAIs don't make any power on a 318 and they flat out don't sound good. BMW's I6 motors make a nice growl with a CAI, the M42/M44 I4 motors do not. Jim Conforti described it best when he said that a 318 with a cone filter "sounds like a wheezing donkey". Just save your money for a DASC, it's WELL worth it. If you insist on taking the cheap route and want to attempt an intake mod, your best bet is "Fogging"* your stock air box." url - http://www.understeer.com/faq.shtml

*'fogging' - see http://www.mz3.net/articles/149.html

Please be aware that some of the above info MAY be US specific.

 

[fabianyee]

Downing Atlanta DOES NOT make supercharger kit for the M40.
Only for the later model M42 and M44....
It doesn't even have the kit for the E46 318 pre-facelift 1.9 M43tuB19

the M42/44 halfcut seem to be a bit on the high side now since there are more demand for it. U can opt for the M50B20 oso, there seem to be more of this engine since most generally go for the 2.5...

 

[burn]

hav also thought about swapping the M43 to M44 yr98 model since i just want to hav a little bit more oomph!
to change to M44, what other things that need to be done, like computer box, wiring or the whole inside halfcut dump in...???
not kaki speed but feel M43 a little bit underpower since it is only "SOHC".
prefer to maintain the CC, for future purpose it is much easier to sell!
to add in supercharger ala turbokit ala superchip or whatsoever, might as well sell of the car and get a 328 model! :blink:

 

[Zoggee]

for drivability...reliability..!! Keep the stock engine.

want more Power??? well.... let me break it out to you...sell the car and get e36 325i Manual...thats enuf liao.

as for turbo..??? sell ur car and get the Nissan Silvia or the Scooby Doos

As for Stroker Kit....well you needs the well remaped ECU to handle the mechanical mods.(maybe Porkyback will help.) or get a stand alone unit(Motec , haltech) but the power gain very minimal.. :beaten:

UNLESS...!!!!! save up and buy the M3..!!!!!!

 

[elwine30]

upgrade = how deep is your pocket

so the equation is

> power= > $$$$

so, tell us your budget and maybe we can help. In fact, most of the member here opt to sell of their current ride and get the 325i or 328i or
transplant.

it all depends what kind of headache you want and you are willing to go. many choices.

plus, i do understand you did own a jap turbo car. Please do note, it's a different ball game you are playing. My recommendation is to stay with original as much as possible like koko zoggee mentioned. It will save you headache and give you more ultimate driving machine feel.

 

[gilera_200]

Originally posted by ALBundy@Oct 31 2005, 01:04 PM
Like what some have mentioned, sell your 318 and get a 325, that would be the simplest option. If you intend to keep your car, then plonk in a 318iS engine with MAF conversion + Unichip, if should be sufficient to play with the GTi and R3 :nyehehe: :nyehehe:

sorry for my lack of knowledge... :lol: i really wanna know bout the 318is engine... how does it differ from the other 318 engine? :dunno:

 

[nikazwaa]

Originally posted by gilera_200+Nov 5 2005, 04:22 PM-->QUOTE (gilera_200 @ Nov 5 2005, 04:22 PM)

 

[gilera_200]

Originally posted by nikazwaa+Nov 5 2005, 05:01 PM-->QUOTE (nikazwaa @ Nov 5 2005, 05:01 PM)

Originally posted by gilera_200@Nov 5 2005, 04:22 PM

 

[nikazwaa]

Originally posted by gilera_200@Nov 5 2005, 05:05 PM
hehehe... i'm wondering of changing to m42/4 heheh
how's the budget like? :blush: in this case all the wiring must be change rite? :dunno:

You should consult fabian... He should know. Come for TT next week la.. He can "educate" you.