Horsepower Differences

[hawkmoon36]

For those of you who have seen my posts, You probably know I have an '86 325es. It appears that the 325is is preferred among the horsepower people. I haven't been able to track it down, but what's the difference between the 2? I'd love to find a 4 door 5 speed is if they're out there, '88 or so. Any suggestions?

[87 325iS]

325iS didn't come with four doors.

[Aether]

The 325i, which has the same motor, does.
168hp versus 121, and 164lb-ft versus 170.

Powerband is a good bit higher.

[hawkmoon36]

I'm looking at setting up a car, not sure which yet, to get about 200hp. I assume that the I is much easier to do this with than the E. Would the standard, chip, intake and exhaust do that? Also, I really like the low end burble exhaust way more than the hyperactive chainsaw exhaust the ricers use. Any recommendations? I figure a 2.5 cat back is good, but as to the muffler to make the right sound, I'm not sure.

[ldsbeaker]

Dude, you want a 200hp car? If you really like the shape of the e30's, there's really only one way to go. Do an engine swap to the M50/52/S52 engine. The M20 engine is not very nice for upgrading a lot. The M50 engines are newer, easier to maintain, more prolific, and have a bigger following, so you can actually buy a turbo for it from more than one vendor. Besides, why stop at 200 hp?

I have an '86 325es, and I'm tired of the engine already. I think I have a pretty good amount of pep, but I know that I will get my ass handed to me most of the time. (my new car mascot is a turtle) Anyways, I'm deploying to Germany in a few weeks, so guess what I'm picking up while I'm there? Yup, you guessed it. A euro engine (maybe M3) for my tired Bimmer. She's going to be a wolf in sheep's clothing.. bwahahahahaha


Drive on, Bimmerheads.

[Bimmin'88]

Muffler/Cat Back....any BMW Tuner systems will give you the "tone" your looking for although you will pay more for these.

[Aether]

Ok, listen.
The M20 motors aren't puny little econoboxes or alien-designed mystery machines. They're just basic, strong motors that work well just as they were made to do just what you need them to. That said, it's not all that easy to go putting parts onto, in part because they are German, and therefore engineered beyond most of the rest of the world's engines. Also, because they aren't as inexpensive or abundant as lots of other cars, not as many manufacturers make parts for them. These cars require a more in-depth working knowledge and more consideration to modify than your buddy's GSR.

You, ldsbeaker, have the weakest inline-six BMW put into an E30; even some of the 318s have more horsepower than you (and I - just imagine your car with two more doors). It was designed to be a total fuel miser, but still be easy to drive around town (hence the relatively monstrous torque). If you were looking for a sports car, you've made a mistake. But now that we're here, there are ways to make the B27 fast.

In short, the most effective way to yank serious giddyup out of it is to fuse its low-end (crank and whatnot) with the 325i valvetrain and top-end. For a few hundred dollars, you can find a running M20B25 from a junkyard, gut it, and piece together what could emerge as a stroked 2.5i with 325 power and rev strength plus an Eta's torque. Best of both worlds sort of thing. From there, you can fit a 325i exhaust system (to the 325i manifold), which uses a dual-inlet muffler (hawkmoon36 - Brullen mufflers sound awesome, but SpinTechs aren't as expensive or hard to find). Spend another thousand bucks on suspension, take out the sound-deadening and air conditioning, and go murder yourself a couple E36es.

[hawkmoon36]

WOW. I can see that you all are hardcore! Seeing as how the last car I did any serious work on was a '63 bug, the BMW mods are somewhat daunting! At the moment, I'm considering bolt on mods first. I'm still in the market to find a 4 door (hey I have kids) and start from there. Sounds like I need to find a 325i as a good base seeing as how the stock 168 hp would be easier to bump to 200 or at least close to it with bolt ons. Once I get the Hp squared away I figure on to suspension & wheels. All in due time of course. But thanks for all the info! PS. figures, the local yard I scavenge from just had a 325i (I think) brought in. Complete motor too.

[87 325iS]

Originally posted by hawkmoon36@Jan 4 2005, 03:14 PM
bump to 200 or at least close to it with bolt ons.

[snapback]264191[/snapback]

I've never seen any bolt ons for an M20 that free up HP, hell i've never seen bolt ons for an M20 period. If you want 200HP or over you're going to have to mess with the inside of the engine. Build a stroker.

[jze325i]

WITH AN "I" ENGINE YOU CAN OBTIAN 200HP WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING TO THE LOWER END, YOU WILL HAVE TO INSTALL A MORE RADICAL CAMSHAFT, VALVE SPRINGS, CHIP, EXHAUST(loose the cat. converter), HEI IGNITION, AND A "RISING RATE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR"

YOU'LL BE FLYING

[spiff325is]

there is no difference, all the E30's have the same engines, doors, tires, wheels, and the same engines, and the same gasoline, and seats, and engines

[jze325i]

WHAT ARE YOU NUT'S? HOE DO YOU FIGURE ALL E30'S HAVE SAME ENGINE?? SURE , THEY CAN "HOLD" THE SAME ENGINE, THEY DONT "HAVE" THE SAME ENGINE...

[spiff325is]

lmao, im joking, bahahhaha, i cant believe you thought i was serious..lol

[Aether]

You're so silly.
All you Californians.

[hawkmoon36]

So... from posts I've seen, maybe I should find a wrecked I model, scavenge the engine, take the top end & put it on my ES bottom end? I assume there is a crank and piston size difference?