E36 323I convertible
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Forum Name: South Western Area
Forum Discription: Where South Western members can discuss upcoming events
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=25007
Printed Date: 02-May-2024 at 10:35
Topic: E36 323I convertible
Posted By: Ammonite
Subject: E36 323I convertible
Date Posted: 10-December-2005 at 15:41
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Hi everybody, I am new to this forum. Thought I would say hello and ask you all a question. I have an E36 323i 1998 convertible and would like to know what are the simple but effective mods to gain a few mor BHP. I have considered chipping but have not really found anyone with enough knowledge, who isn't trying to sell me something, to find out the truth. Also, chipping isn't the only option.
Any suggestions?
PS, I used SSDD recently for the first time after getting his site from one of your threads. He really is helpful and I now have some fabulous CCFL angel eye headlights. To be recommended.
------------- A little bit of knowledge is dangerous |
Replies:
Posted By: chippeduk
Date Posted: 11-December-2005 at 06:03
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If you have any particular questions about mapping ill gladly answer them wether you want me to do the work or someone else.
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jayson@chippeduk.com www.chippeduk.com 07815-501867 - 01527-579345 |
Posted By: pma1ums
Date Posted: 11-December-2005 at 06:41
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http://www.e36coupe.com/products/bbtb/tb.htm - Big Bore Throttle Bodies worth a look and they work very well no plug here .but chipped uk knows his stuff ------------- its a dogs world out there |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 11-December-2005 at 12:25
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Chip/remap,induction kit,BBTB,s/s exhaust.Cams too? How much do you want to spend starts to come into it especially from the end of the list onwards. ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: Ammonite
Date Posted: 11-December-2005 at 13:01
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This is my first BMW and I come from the classic Bike side of the table so I have done the money pit stuff on my old Kwaka Z1000! I've never had a car worth doing anything to before so this is all new to me. I keep hearing ChippedUK's name and about them knowing their stuff. This is a good thing and to be honest, Jayson, you have quoted me about 2-3 months ago when i first started looking at this and now I don't think I would trust anyone else to do this work as everybody seems to rate ChippedUK. I'm after some simple mods that are unlikely to give me running problems. My bike is highly tunned and as a result is awful to ride around town! With performance comes a price so they say. Also there is the issue of insurance with mods. I guess most people who chip/remap just don't mention it ( but don't quote me!!!). Anyway, I have been told by "people down the pub" types that chipping can make the car a better ride, iron out flat spots,better throttle response and give better fuel economy in some cases, but non of these people really know what they are talking about and it's mainly hearsay. Will chipping cause any longterm damage to anything? What i don't understand is why BMW didn't do that to the car when it was designed. Anyone Know? As for induction kits/ big bore throttle bodies, I know nothing at all about this so I will have to go off and have a read about it. Jayson, I will e-mail you separately with some questions if that is ok Thanks you guys ------------- A little bit of knowledge is dangerous |
Posted By: Ammonite
Date Posted: 11-December-2005 at 14:00
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OK,I have now done some reading. BBTB sound good and i have e-mailed for prices. Induction kits? There seems to be a big price range. Motormec do two types, a J&R £27 and a K&N £33. Seems very reasonable. I have seen a Tipan at about £149. Big difference. What do you guys recommend? You can see why my "quote" says what it does!!!!!! ------------- A little bit of knowledge is dangerous |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 11-December-2005 at 17:17
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Any induction kit under £100 will in most cases be a poilshed S/S tube with open air filter...the carbon-fibre heatshield enclosed ones will be much more,as will anything with a heatshield.
E.g piperX induction kit circa £80, PiperX viper kit with tubular air intake and carbon fibre can, well its a little over double the price. BMC do a CDA kit which is meant to be good.Take a look on ca-automotives website as they've got install photos on the site. As for the chips, IIRC all European BMs will have the same ECU coding which will have to comply with all the different idiosyncracies for all the different countries and their emmissions etc regulations. So one chip fits all. ANY mod needs declaring to insurance-you don't wanna give them any chance to wriggle out of paying if you need them. A decent S/S backbox like Supersprint will liberate a few BHP and give a nicer engine note. Regarding whether chipping will cause any long term damage then its worth asking around-some say yes,some say no. I fudged my engine on my 318iS cause I didnt have it chipped after adding the induction kit and causing it to run far too lean. In same respect I know of several diesel owners who've had problems after chipping,but having said that they were all 3L D engines which are relatively highly tuned as standard. ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: Ammonite
Date Posted: 11-December-2005 at 18:36
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Thanks, this is all interesting stuff. Did the leaner engine affect the cat? It might be more economical if I bought an M3 evo! MMMMMMMM thought about it. Thought about my wife's reaction, and decided I like my key organs to remain where they are. ------------- A little bit of knowledge is dangerous |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 12-December-2005 at 17:08
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Yup, knackered the Cats after 5000 odd miles-unfortunatelt they imploded halfway down the M5 towards Bristol so not a nice trip home.
You could buy an Evo instead and then the vanos could go so theres a £1700 bill for starters. Seriosuly though I ran a mint 3L M3 with panel filter,decats and SS backbox for 3 yrs and you go from being very scared to loving the power then to bored and wanting more.....nature of the world. In real world road driving I get to my usual destinations in the same time in my 520 as I did in the M3. ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: Ammonite
Date Posted: 12-December-2005 at 17:27
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I guess it must be difficult to know where to go after an M3. A Buggatti perhaps!!!!! I would love to experience it and perhaps in a couple of years when i know what to look for so I don't get a pup(and I have full no claims) I think I will enjoy what I have got before tinkering too heavily. I'm still in new toy mode and it is a pleasure to drive (and it looks quite nice too!) ------------- A little bit of knowledge is dangerous |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 12-December-2005 at 17:28
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Bugatti,naw....fireblade. ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: chippeduk
Date Posted: 13-December-2005 at 03:22
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Yes, I agree 100%, no matter what you have you will get used to it and quickly. Its a shame the feeling doesnt last longer. -------------
jayson@chippeduk.com www.chippeduk.com 07815-501867 - 01527-579345 |
Stone-IslandM3 wrote:Posted By: playo
Date Posted: 17-December-2005 at 07:41
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HI, I know the feeling! Ammonite, I just fitted a dave f induction kit to my car (£160) he's on this site and e36coupe.com, It feels smoother through the rev range with the biggest improvment at 2.5-5 k revs. The kit is a k&n filter and a specially designed heatsheild to block the filter off from the engine compartment. Must say i'm inpressed with the kit and so are alot of others with it! ------------- '98 M3 evo conv'-Sold '91 E30 M3' |
Posted By: Ammonite
Date Posted: 17-December-2005 at 10:42
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Ok, interesting. Does your car run lean? or have you fitted a bbtb as well? One of the above replies (stone-island M3) knackered his CATafter using an induction kit (not the one you refer to though I think). I don't know who Dave F is as I am new, but I would be interested to hear his and other views from people who may have run this kit for a while. What have you fitted it to? I have a 98 323i con.
Ho Hum, so much to learn!!!!! ------------- A little bit of knowledge is dangerous |
Posted By: playo
Date Posted: 17-December-2005 at 12:17
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Yeah, Mines an m3 evo, but he does do kits for all the e36 engine types. http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=24761&PN=1 - http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=24761&a mp;PN=1 Heres the link to the topic i started about the induction kit, plenty of info there! ------------- '98 M3 evo conv'-Sold '91 E30 M3' |
Posted By: Mike Fishwick
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 13:35
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I think most people who fit induction kits do so for the increased noise level, and percieve this as power!
Chipping is a different matter, as this really improves all aspects of the engine. I had my 2.8 Z3 remapped (with RR optimising) by our local Superchips dealer just before leaving to live in France (I had never heard of Chipped UK!) and have been very happy with it. The engine generally gained an 'edge' particularly in the mid-range area which is used most, with 80/90 mph cruising now requiring almost no throttle, and fuel consumption (always good) being so good I hesitate to tell people! It never falls below 30 mpg, and is usually in the 32-36 mpg area, with 40 mpg easily available when driving in 'Cpatain Sensible' manner. Once - in ideal circumstances - I covered 230 miles at 43 mpg, from the French Alps to Clermont-Ferrand, on the usual 'D' and 'N' roads, limited by traffic to 55/60 mph, but with plenty of hills and a bit of overtaking. Our Golf Mk.4 TDI has also been remapped (by AMD) going frmo 115 bhp to 165 bhp, with 275 lb-ft of torque. Neither car has exhibited any problems since, and I would bet that the problems referred to in other messages were not due to the remapping - 3 litre BMW engines do seem to get thorugh turbochargers anyway. The theory behind all this is simple – a manufacturer must meet strict limits for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) which are formed during the highest temperature portions of the combustion process. They are easily reduced by lowering the peak combustion temperature through richening the mixture, and advancing the ignition timing. While this enables the NOx limits to be met, it also degrades engine performance and fuel consumption. The modified program simply restores matters to the optimum, by slightly weakening the mid-range mixture and also reducing ignition advance. At MoT tests of course, only CO and Hydrocarbon emissions are measured, any increased NOx emissions being undetected. My advice - ignore the doomsayers and go for it - you won't get turbo diesel-type increases, but it will make your engine generally better, and gain about 10 bhp, whihc is twice what you would gain fom a £500 exhaust system - it's cheap power. |