More Bhp

[Garygazmataz]

Hi everyone I'm new here and a new owner of a BMW. I have to say that I do enjoy driving it. I have a 97 323i 2.5l coupe. But I have found out that it is an m52 engine, the same as a 328i but with a shorter stroke to decrease the engine size. I am wandering is there a simple solution to getting more horses from under the Bonnet. I have already a supersprint exhaust but am wandering what to do next. Any ideas will be welcome. I know I must be asking the same questions as all the other newbies so appologies for that.

[Guest DazH]

Hello Gary, and welcome to BMWOC

There are uncountable things you can do to increase the BHP and you seem to getting off to a great start with the SuperSprint exhaust =D Anything from an induction kit to piston upgrades and that is a massive gap in price. It depends on what your going to be doing with the car and how much you want to spend because as I said, the possibilities are endless! =D

give us some more information on what your car is like NOW to drive and how you WANT it to be so someone on here can pinpoint exactly what you need to do next to achieve that goal.

Hope this helps a tad,

Daz

[G4VHD]

Welcome along.

[Garygazmataz]

Hi everyone thanks for replying. It has fully adjustable avo suspension so it's handling is amazing, will get uprated brakes soon too. Other than that it is pretty standard at the moment as I haven't done a thing to it yet. I will post some pictures as soon as I work out how. But to answer the questions, it has great exceleration from low down in the rev range which is nice, I would want to keep that. I guess I'm looking for all the bolt on options to start with before I go down the remap route. I'm not sure I want to go down the megga expensive route of changine internal parts, but maybe when I've done everything else and get bored who knows.

[Guest DazH]

Nice one Gary, sounds like a plan mate! I hope to see some Pics of the beast sometime soon :lol:

Daz

BTW, Post in the Newbie forum and introduce yourself to everyone buddy. Linkyz:

http://www.bmwownersclub.com/forums/index.php/forum/2-new-members-welcome/

[Garygazmataz]

thanks i will do. just cant seem to find out how to load images or to start a gallery of my own in profile. any help, cheers

ive found out how to do it on here just not create my own gallery

[Snypa-D]

Best upgrade pound for pound (ive got the same car as you) will be an m50 inlet manifold conversion and big bore throttle bodies.costs about 500 quid to do and will give you 325 power :) Theres a guy in Chelmsford that does it,goes by the name of Alpina527,ive got all details when your ready :)

I def getting mine done...soon as Ive sorted a few other bits 1st ;)

[Guest DazH]

Best upgrade pound for pound (ive got the same car as you) will be an m50 inlet manifold conversion and big bore throttle bodies.costs about 500 quid to do and will give you 325 power :) Theres a guy in Chelmsford that does it,goes by the name of Alpina527,ive got all details when your ready :)

I def getting mine done...soon as Ive sorted a few other bits 1st ;)

You mean ITBs Snyp? Because if you do... that.. is awesome..

[Garygazmataz]

Lol. Itb's ??? What are these please.

[Garygazmataz]

Oh hang on, is it inlet throttle bodies.

[Guest DazH]

Close

Individual Throttle Bodies

[Garygazmataz]

That can't be done to my car can it ?????

Not for £500 surely.

[Guest DazH]

Yeah its pretty damn expensive..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-e36-M3-3-0-ITB-throttle-bodies-kit-/230639435444?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b32e7eb4#ht_526wt_905

If M3 E36 parts can pop onto urs than... this isn't so bad. Don't know what needs to be done elsewhere to get it working properly. Plug'n'play? Maybe someone else can answer that for you....

[Garygazmataz]

The video is a v8 I gather. What a sound. Straight six is good but that was better. Lol

[Garygazmataz]

Best upgrade pound for pound (ive got the same car as you) will be an m50 inlet manifold conversion and big bore throttle bodies.costs about 500 quid to do and will give you 325 power :) Theres a guy in Chelmsford that does it,goes by the name of Alpina527,ive got all details when your ready :)

I def getting mine done...soon as Ive sorted a few other bits 1st ;)

that sounds good. what other bits are you doing first.

[Snypa-D]

New wishbones and poly bushes,s/steel decat,then the conversion,then coilovers and remap....job done :)

.....well maybe done,hmmmmm ?

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Now that sounds like a plan, Dave B)

[Garygazmataz]

New wishbones and poly bushes,s/steel decat,then the conversion,then coilovers and remap....job done :).....well maybe done,hmmmmm ?

Why new wishbones are yours damaged??. I've got the suspension done, will do poly bushes at some point but that's a job for when I have more money (cos they is expensive) lol I just need a pipe to go from manifold to back box to get rid of the cats. Do they sap alot of power then?? New air intake pos k&n, then new sparkys (not sure what type yet). Then the conversion and lastly a remap. Phew. That's alot of work.

[Guest DazH]

Why new wishbones are yours damaged??. I've got the suspension done, will do poly bushes at some point but that's a job for when I have more money (cos they is expensive) lol I just need a pipe to go from manifold to back box to get rid of the cats. Do they sap alot of power then?? New air intake pos k&n, then new sparkys (not sure what type yet). Then the conversion and lastly a remap. Phew. That's alot of work.

The Cat does take power. Many people scrap the Cat to make a 'straight through' sound (Popular in the 80's when My ol'man was messing with cars like the Mk3 Escort but still some trampy boy racers do it poorly only to find someone like me pulling them over for being a tw*t). If you want an everyday runner, leave it alone as it will not pass the emission tests when you go for your MOT.

Some cars can 'Pull off' a De-Cat. IMO Not a lot can as you sound like a total eejit when pulling up to the lights. Almost like... there's something wrong with your motor but your driving it anyway..

Don't forget to upgrade your HT leads when focusing on your 'Sparkys' :) useless putting luffly sparks in without the cable to HARNESS the power IMO

K&N Air filter is a good quick and easy mod and will make the engine have the 'whirling' noise under acceleration that many people desire :)

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Let me add to Daz's reply...

Do NOT worry about the MOT...

If the car does not have a particular item fitted, then it obviously cannot be tested !!

Windscreen's for example... You CAN MOT your car WITHOUT a windscreen if it is not fitted with one !

Similar for motorcycles- if you remove both mirrors it cannot fail on rear view as you have to turn your head to pass the bike test anyway lol...

Please don't take this literally as there are exceptions like exhaust noises etc Don't be fooled by my earlier statement of "if its not on its not tested" ... Get back to me for individual requirements for a car MOT... Hehehehe

[Guest DazH]

Let me add to Daz's reply...

Do NOT worry about the MOT...

If the car does not have a particular item fitted, then it obviously cannot be tested !!

Windscreen's for example... You CAN MOT your car WITHOUT a windscreen if it is not fitted with one !

Similar for motorcycles- if you remove both mirrors it cannot fail on rear view as you have to turn your head to pass the bike test anyway lol...

Please don't take this literally as there are exceptions like exhaust noises etc Don't be fooled by my earlier statement of "if its not on its not tested" ... Get back to me for individual requirements for a car MOT... Hehehehe

B..bu..but the emission test Dabz!? :o If you wasn't the Overlord of mechanics and the Spawn of Edd China I would call EXCELLENCE, as quoted before. I learn something new everyday eh..

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Read it through Daz? If its fitted, it has to pass !!!

[Guest DazH]

So let me get this straight. If I had a defective front seatbelt (As I did on my Alfa), If i was to remove ALL my seatbelts, they can't test hem because they are NOT there? is that waht your trying to say?

BTW. MY above post was auto-corrected incorectly :angry: I ment to say 'Shenanigans' not 'Excellence' :S

EXACTLY- but UK law stipulates a restraining belt fitted to the front most seats (at least)... not mandatory in the rear lol

The Law does NOT specify certain items for scrutineering ... Refering you to the afore mentioned item

[Garygazmataz]

Well I've looked at the exhaust and to be honest the system looks huge anyway so will probably leave it for the moment. I think the whole system has been changed and not just the back box, which is good and will save a little money, for the moment anyway. Lol.

What air intakes are the best to use. I know there are many different ones.

[Snypa-D]

Why new wishbones are yours damaged??. I've got the suspension done, will do poly bushes at some point but that's a job for when I have more money (cos they is expensive) lol I just need a pipe to go from manifold to back box to get rid of the cats. Do they sap alot of power then?? New air intake pos k&n, then new sparkys (not sure what type yet). Then the conversion and lastly a remap. Phew. That's alot of work.

Changing my wishbones cos the ball joints are warn and the rear bush on them needs doing,so replacing them with polys :)