Resurrecting The Baby

[offabroadway]

The Car: 1985 325e. Bone stock except perforance exhaust. 235,000km.

The Project: To turn car above into a real looker. Quick performance, shiny and very new looking. A street sleeper.

Here's the thing, though, she needs work. I've got the list here, and I'm taking advice on how to accomplish the different major points as I acquire the funds to do it. All of the mechanical work is going to be done through European Specialty here in Nanaimo, or BMW Victoria, which is you know where. It may cost me two arms and one leg, but its better than me doing it, trust me. Here's the list:

Vitals:

1: Timing Belt/Drive Belts Redone, and Valve Clearances Adjusted (To be done mid April at BMW. Timing belt service is only $267.50, plus the belts and labour for the valves.

2: ICV replacement? (See post here). Maybe it doesn't need it. Suggestions?

3: Differential Replacement along with Rear Subframe Repair. Possible performance diff? Suggestions?

Cosmetics:

4: Wheels/tires need to go. I'm looking for BMW rims on Toyo or Pirelli tires. 16".

5: Paint. Orient Blue Metallic, which is available currently through BMW. It won't be painted at BMW (yikes, expensive even for me) but I love the color.

Extras:

6. K&N Air Intake. What are people's opinions of this on the 325e?

7. Okay, dreaming here, but when the automatic tranny finally gives up, I'm putting in the 5 speed in its place, with the requesite drive pieces and clutch pedal. Probably a very expensive job, but ah well.

When all this is done, she'll look amazing, and be extremely fast. Any opinions, ideas, suggestions, etc are greatly appreciated.

[german-speed-demon]

1. labor for the vavles will hurt. be Prepared. If interested, bavauto has a vavle tool which actually makes it possible to DIY.

2. If it dies first off with a cold start..it needs it. Check vacuum lines first. a bad line could cause rough idle

3. Performance Diff. Hmmm...maybe a diff out of an M3? your call

4. Zender Challenge wheels. I was looking at them, but i'm stickingg w/ my Hartges. Heres a link to take a look
http://www.bavauto.com/se1.asp?dept_id=190

5. Very nice color choice, indeed.

6. Don't kjnow about BMW, but all my other whips gained noticeable performance w/ K & N filters.

7. Go for a full drivetrain from an M3 if you want a 5 spd. Might need a custom driveshaft, possibly a little custom work as well.

I admire your courage for this poject, and i think I speak for everyone when I say we will be expecting pix when complete. Good Luck.

[87 325iS]

Originally posted by offabroadway@Apr 7 2005, 01:35 PM
When all this is done, she'll look amazing, and be extremely fast. Any opinions, ideas, suggestions, etc are greatly appreciated.

[snapback]327643[/snapback]

Extremely fast? Haha.

[offabroadway]

Hey dude, I can kick a lot of ass off the line around town here with the stock engine and 4 spd auto. Buttoning in a 5 speed is gonna drop the 0-60 time at least a second, second and a half if I'm good with the clutch. Guarantee you it will rock.

I was gonna show up my friend's VW Jetta, but I've decided to do so when the project is complete. The enjoyment will just be that much more.

And its always good to rock.

PS: Thanks for the links! M3 driveshaft etc is a little far for me to go, I'm gonna try and keep it stock 5 spd. Can those be bought new still?

[german-speed-demon]

don't know if they are brand new...try Griffin Import. Heres the link.


http://www.griffinimport.com/

[ldsbeaker]

I have to agree with the above post. As the owner of
<---- the "Turtle", I must tell you that you will not be "fast" unless you replace that engine, or do some major work to it. One of these days, I will have a Power Point presentation of all the stuff I intend to do with my ride. (hint: S50 or Euro 3.0)
I'm still in the planning stages. But I am in Germany finding my parts, so I'm partway there.
On the other hand, if you want you ride to "run like a top" (like new), that won't be so bad.
But let me tell you, the "fast" way... that way leads to empty pockets.

[offabroadway]

:lol:

How fast are you guys thinking I'm talking about here?

Fast for me is like 7.5 seconds to 60mph, which is stock what a 325e five speed is worth if you're good. The auto is about a second slower... still faster than any car I've ever owned, but not as quick as the shift-it-yourself.

I'm not going all out rocketship here. I just want a nice looking, sounding, and performing car.

[DJProfessor]

i may have a pedal assembly for ya for your manual swap.......i don't think i will need it in my E21 that is getting the ETA motor

[DixonHill]

I just put a K&N filter into my 1985 325e last night and the difference is noticeable. Of course, it's just a filter, not a full cone, and I do already have a Dinan chip so that helps out dramatically.

What's really nice is that when you get up in RPMs, the engine growls. My friend with a VR6 Jetta had a cone and no exhaust and you knew it a block away when he was accelerating.

Anyway, getting back... Totally different car with the chip, well worth the money. Didn't see it on your list but I highly recommend it since it adds about 20hp with similar gains to torque. Might not sound like a lot, but when you consider the car is 121 hp stock it's a nice boost. That, and you'll end up with torque near 200 ft-lbs. It also raises the redline from 4,700 to something like 5,600, which is amusing becuase you can actually peg the tach and keep accelerating for a tiny bit before you need to shift. The only problem is that you'll pay for it at the pump in higher octane gas.

Dix

[nukeduster]

Swift, which most bmws fall under, is 0-60 in ~7.x
Fast is 0-60 in 6.0 or better
Blistering is 0-60 in 5.0 or better.
Oh-my-god-I'll-never-have-kids-again-I'm-going-so-fast is 0-60 in 4.0 or less.

And there you have it.

[Kowalski]

Originally posted by DixonHill@Apr 7 2005, 02:59 PM
I just put a K&N filter into my 1985 325e last night and the difference is noticeable. Of course, it's just a filter, not a full cone, and I do already have a Dinan chip so that helps out dramatically.

What's really nice is that when you get up in RPMs, the engine growls. My friend with a VR6 Jetta had a cone and no exhaust and you knew it a block away when he was accelerating.

Anyway, getting back... Totally different car with the chip, well worth the money. Didn't see it on your list but I highly recommend it since it adds about 20hp with similar gains to torque. Might not sound like a lot, but when you consider the car is 121 hp stock it's a nice boost. That, and you'll end up with torque near 200 ft-lbs. It also raises the redline from 4,700 to something like 5,600, which is amusing becuase you can actually peg the tach and keep accelerating for a tiny bit before you need to shift. The only problem is that you'll pay for it at the pump in higher octane gas.

Dix

[snapback]327791[/snapback]

with the dinan chip you may gain like 7hp, not too much... but its cheap hp considering... if you go to a diff chip you can see up to 15 or so. a 410 into the e would improve it drasticly, maybe a cam? your in the lower mainland so if you can find somone to put it in for you i can get you a pretty good deal on one. also the bigger injectors, off of the 5 liter mustang, make sure to get the 4 pintle. you can put in the clutch stop which drops shifting time, lightend fly wheel if your going to do the 5spd conversion, and perhaps and aluminum drive shaft? anyways thats lots of money in upgrades there pick and choose or you could go straight to the egnne swap... its up to you anyways good luck. i also know somone who will paint it for you for a smokin deal and do a damn good job, i can show you some of his work if you come to white rock. hes a german guy.

[DixonHill]

Originally posted by Kowalski@Apr 7 2005, 03:38 PM
with the dinan chip you may gain like 7hp, not too much... but its cheap hp considering...

Not sure about 7hp, though hp's one of those funny things that varies greatly depending on where it's measured and at what RPM.

Here's the specs for the 1985 325e Chip from Dinan:
http://dinancars.com/Series.asp?Series=14&...e%20Tuning#1191

They actually claim 24 for the 325e.

325i isn't as lucky, only 15hp gain. Again, according to Dinan.

All I can say is it's a very noticeable improvement in the 325e, and that's from experience, not numbers on a chart. Are other chips better? Dunno, haven't tried them, but one thing Kowalski and I do agree on is that a chip is cheap horsepower (and it's easy to install... took me less than 30 minutes and that was with NO IDEA what I was doing)

So I guess all I can say is, do your homework so you feel you're getting the best one out there, but definitely add a chip to your list.

-Dix

[offabroadway]

Originally posted by DixonHill+Apr 7 2005, 01:59 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DixonHill @ Apr 7 2005, 01:59 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>I just put a K&N filter into my 1985 325e last night and the difference is noticeable. Of course, it's just a filter, not a full cone, and I do already have a Dinan chip so that helps out dramatically.

What's really nice is that when you get up in RPMs, the engine growls. My friend with a VR6 Jetta had a cone and no exhaust and you knew it a block away when he was accelerating.

Anyway, getting back... Totally different car with the chip, well worth the money. Didn't see it on your list but I highly recommend it since it adds about 20hp with similar gains to torque. Might not sound like a lot, but when you consider the car is 121 hp stock it's a nice boost. That, and you'll end up with torque near 200 ft-lbs. It also raises the redline from 4,700 to something like 5,600, which is amusing becuase you can actually peg the tach and keep accelerating for a tiny bit before you need to shift. The only problem is that you'll pay for it at the pump in higher octane gas.

Dix

[snapback]327791[/snapback]

[/b]

Oooh, I like it! I wonder how much this wonder chip will set me back. *grins* Do you have to run it on 91 or will 89 do the trick?


<!--QuoteBegin-nukeduster@Apr 7 2005, 02:26 PM
Swift, which most bmws fall under, is 0-60 in ~7.x
Fast is 0-60 in 6.0 or better
Blistering is 0-60 in 5.0 or better.
Oh-my-god-I'll-never-have-kids-again-I'm-going-so-fast is 0-60 in 4.0 or less.

And there you have it.

[snapback]327812[/snapback]

[/quote]

I gotta remember that. Okay, so I want a swift car. Thanks guys. Oh, and german-speed-demon, thanks for the ICV tip. I was sure someone knew something about it. Keep posting, I like the ideas!

[german-speed-demon]

no worries, man. Uhhhhhh....Bavauto has an acv, but be prepared, mine set me back about $150, w/o shipping. I told ya someone would know how to help. U checked out Griffin Import yet?

[DixonHill]

Originally posted by offabroadway@Apr 8 2005, 07:47 AM
Oooh, I like it! I wonder how much this wonder chip will set me back. *grins* Do you have to run it on 91 or will 89 do the trick?

Dinan's chip is $249 (plus shipping). Like I said in a follow-up post though, be sure to do your homework. When I bought it, I felt it was the best around, but this was about 8 years ago, so someone may have come out with something better since then.

As for gas, Dinan's site says 91+. I'd imagine that most other chips have similar requirements, so if you go this route, be prepared to pay more at the pump. You may also see a dip in your MPG, partly due to the fact that you'll be driving her a little harder... because you can. My car was veeeeery happy in Indiana running on 93. Haven't tried it on 89, don't want to risk knocks and pings.

Good Luck!

-Dix