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bmw840ci
Newbie
Joined: 11-July-2003
Location: United Kingdom
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Points: 13
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Topic: Want more power. Posted: 11-July-2003 at 16:20 |
Hi all, I am a proud recent owner of the 840ci 4.4L
Just wondering if i can get more power out of my car without spending too much cash.
It seems that the 4.4l unit only 286 bhp is restricted. I think its easily capable of much more bhps!!!
Has anyone fitted super chip? The claimed about 305 bhp.
What about changing air filter and platinum plugs?
Any advise will be great.
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aussie840
Really Senior Member I
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Joined: 07-June-2003
Location: Australia
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Points: 251
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Posted: 12-July-2003 at 00:24 |
Hi,
I would recommend either the www.superchip.co.uk or the www.powerchip.com.au brands. My local bmw workshop resells the powerchips ones and the customer with 540s have had great feedback from the performance boost from their M62 blocks.
I've used powerchips on other beemers but haven't installed one for my 840ci (M60 block) yet, but I do plan to. A colleague in Perth who emigrated from UK had a superchip in his rover with a bmw block and had good things to say about it.
Note some powerchips (the company is based in Aus and only recently set up in the USA as well) are designed for 98RON shell optimax and not 95RON premium (or whatever it is in the UK).
I would stick with the standard BMW air filter.
Ian
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PhilC
Senior Member II
Joined: 15-December-2002
Location: United Kingdom
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Points: 161
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Posted: 12-July-2003 at 10:28 |
BMW840ci
Just reading around I think there is alot you can do. I'm thinking along the same lines.
Consider that its not just BHP's which makes your car potentially faster; Maybe consider improving the handling and stability first. It will feel alot faster if it can take corners more easily. It already sits low and corners beautifully for a big car. I think a few of the guys here have had their suspension lowered/stiffer springs etc...ask them. I use mine to pick up the nipper and the school lane has F*****g speed bumps so lowering at this time may not be the best solution for me.
Maybe you want to make sure your pride and joy can stop more easily. I am not a fan of the original brakes. I've been looking at a brake upgrade. Bird's do it in the South of England for the 8. Good reports but V.expensive. 3.5K all in front only. Still looking at other options.
Chips, read this
http://membres.lycos.fr/technice31/mods.php
If you were after better low end performance consider a higher ratio differential. This has (I believe) the greatest impact on the 8. Its a low reving engine anyway. EErrrr forget about fuel ecomony.
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1995 840Ci
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bmw840ci
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Joined: 11-July-2003
Location: United Kingdom
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Points: 13
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Posted: 12-July-2003 at 14:23 |
Thanks aussie and philC
I will have a good read at the sites recommended.
I think i will go for the superchip. Best value for the extra bhp.
The main reason i needed more power is cuz last weekend i was on the traffic lights with an impreza sti and he killed me!
My car already got uprated suspensions so its ok on the handling side.
Has anyone heard of power flow exhaust? I need the supercar sound as well as rapid.
Best rgrds Joe
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aussie840
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Posted: 13-July-2003 at 08:37 |
Hi Joe,
Be really carefull when choosing aftermarket exhausts for the E31. I had aftermarkets for a while and so did a friend who has an E31. We both went back to the standard units. My experience was I couldn't notice any perfomance increase although it did sound much more aggressive - but eventally they drove me nuts - at certain speeds the the harmonics and resonance from the different exhausts would could consistent noise in the cabin. I ended up turning a smooth turbine like sound into a droning hoon mobile so they got the flick. Seems if the back pressure and design isn't just right you can do more harm than good.
Yeah losing out to a hair dryer / rice cooker Impreza STI just isn't on. Time you gave it a taste of Bavarian automotive supremacy. Chipping is best place to start especially if you can run at least 95RON.
Phil - you have lower the car, get the stage 1 Eibachs like I did you won't regret it. I have less problems on speed humps that I did with the E30.
Ian
P.S. I see they're selling the Aussie built Holden Monaro in the UK now. Are they shipping it with Fosters in the boot?
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PhilC
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Joined: 15-December-2002
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Points: 161
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Posted: 13-July-2003 at 23:43 |
Ian
Others have recommended Eibachs as well. I'm already convinced. Problem I'm having is that I can't find anyone trustworthy to fit them in the north. Two dealers I've approached are not interested in sorting it for me. Working on it.
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aussie840
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Posted: 14-July-2003 at 05:45 |
Hi Phil,
Try a reputable independant...the official dealers tend to balk at aftermarket mods. You'll need a full alignment, balance and checked the steering is centred after they fit the springs.
Ian.
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PhilC
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Joined: 15-December-2002
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Posted: 14-July-2003 at 09:16 |
G'day Ian
Thanks for the advice.
Phil
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bmw840ci
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Joined: 11-July-2003
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Posted: 14-July-2003 at 12:49 |
Ian,
Thanks again.
Cant wait to get my superchip sorted. I always use optimax, thats the best juice i can find in the UK.
Joe
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micky_h
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 17-February-2003
Location: United Kingdom
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Points: 798
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Posted: 15-July-2003 at 11:11 |
You could try an alternative to the Superchip,its called Unichip and is essentially a piggy ecu.Its setup using a rolling road and is mapped specifically for your car.Had one fitted to my 306 gti6 a while back and got an extra 13 bhp out of it with improvement to torque all the way through the rev range.Found this a bigger improvement than the 6-8hp on the other cars I had Superchipped.
If your felling realy loaded im sure you can get superchargers for these things
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bmw840ci
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Joined: 11-July-2003
Location: United Kingdom
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Posted: 16-July-2003 at 18:50 |
@micky_h
Thanks for the advise.
By the way, have u seen the price for the bird's supercharger???....
costs 14000quid nearly the price of my car!!!
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PhilC
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Joined: 15-December-2002
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Posted: 16-July-2003 at 21:19 |
Micky_h interesting concept!!!
Joe LOL just imagine 400 BHP
you have to sell your arse just to get a Hartge sticker off Birds. Unfortunately, not that many tuners for the 8 knocking around the UK.
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