316i modding help

[Germanos]

So...i drive a 316i 92'-93' and i've desided to mod it....mechanically (basic thingz) and its exterior...

Mechanically i thought about a cold air intake....and an exhaust system...
1.For the cold air intake i found these:
Street Racing, BMW Performance Parts, HONDA Performance Parts, Auto Parts - COSMO Racing Online

Street Racing, BMW Performance Parts, HONDA Performance Parts, Auto Parts - COSMO Racing Online

PRODUCTS

which of these here is best? (will give most performance increase)
Do you know any other cold air intakes that i should use?


2. For the exhaust system...i was thinking to do the whole piping myself..at the local shop....2.5 - 3.0 " pipes?!
And then use a universal performance muffler....
What else do i need to change for the exhaust system?

Do you guyz know any other....."cheap" mechanical mods i can fit in?


For the exterior:
1. I want to get rid of those ugly grey...plastic bumpers...and get some nice ones....what about the e36 m3 ones? do they fit? or are there any better ones?

2. Change the headlights....any recommendations?

[mdc]

my suggestions, stick to sedan mods (non ///M3) - that goes for kits and the likes

its a non ///M3 just in my opinion

look for ACS, Hartge and the likes for sedan kits - there are alot to choose from

angel eyes would be great, clear signals, red-white tail lights, clear fender lights, lowering springs, suspension upgrade, sound system and so on! the list never ends goodluck

i have some pics in my cardomain! its also a 316i! might give you some ideas

[Ivan]

really, i would not waste my time trying to mod a 316 for performance, you might as well do an engine swap instead.


m3 bumpers will fit, i put them on my car. jlevi makes nice headlights

[WarNox]

all e36 bumpers are the same aren't they?

yeah aesthetically modding your car is all good, but just dont expect to go fast

[Germanos]

yeh i know i'm not expecting to mod it into a performance car....i just want some extra push....and a nicer sound

[Germanos]

Can you guyz help were i can find exterior stuff for my316i?
And for an exhaust system...bigger pipes...a catalist converter...and a good cat back...is it this all?!
And i was thinking ...about heated seats.....were can i find some good kits?
Already found this but the site has bandwidth problems...
Heated Seat Cushion

which of those 3 cold air filters should i use?

[mdc]

most people with 316is know its not going to be a performance car modification goes for mostly a slight improvement and just like any other car, for individuality

in my case, i went for an air filter and exhaust - not expecting any significant gains but only to improve the cars performance even slightly

in my opinion, i would not put m3 bumpers and the likes - its not an ///M3 to begin with - that just for me

but modification for the 316i is basically the same for any other e36 sedan!



EXTERIOR
* hartge, ac schnitzer, alpina, breyton and the likes have bolt on kits for non ///M3 sedans

as for breyton, they have there own front bumper - i have one laying in my garage but i choose to use my AC Schnitzer chin instead - which is bolt on to my oem bumper

here's a pic




bumpers have the size and dimensions so to speak for the sedans (non ///M3) - they only vary in the design of the lower grill - as far as i know, the 92 - 95 models have the lower grill integrated to the bumper while the later e36 sedans have the lower grill separated and therefore can be taken out

here's my ACS front lip - check the ACS site for details on pricing and stuff




* wheels - so much to choose from oem BMW wheels to aftermarket ones. id choose wheels dependent on the look you want - straight ACS, Breyton, Hartge, Alpina and so on

i personally wouldn't mix and match makes or manufactureres products (that's just me) hehehe!

PERFORMANCE - even for slight performance
* air filter - k&n, pipercross, dinan etc.
* headers, exhaust - supersprint, remus, borla etc.

k&n air filter


custom exhaust - check the link below for a video of it



HANDLING
* bilstein, h&r, eibach, tein
* strut bars (front and rear)

drop the car!!! hehehe - cornering was never that fun and that great


SOUND SYSTEM
* limitless options
but in my opinion, i'd stick to blaupunkt for that german feel as your car is. blaupunkt has exceptionally good head units, speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers enough to satisfy the audiophile in anyone

INTERIOR
* limitless as well

i went for gray face gauges and chrome trims




hope this helps out!

[Germanos]

Wow...many thanx man...
are the pipe diameters good? (2.5-3 ")

[mdc]

as for the size of the piping, im not to keen on that topic but for sure, any increase in size of the piping shall make the car breathe easier exhaust wise - therfore performance

however, be wary of gas consumption increase and at the same time, loss of torque if its increased too much

modding is fun but at the same time, can be said to be like an "exact science" so to speak. meaning, its an action reaction thing. an input results to a corresponding exact output

so everything you put on your car pereformance wise must be studied also

[Germanos]

Did you mdc use the stock piping on your 316i and just added the per. muffler??

[mdc]

Originally Posted by Germanos

Did you mdc use the stock piping on your 316i and just added the per. muffler??

just used the stock piping . . . was thinking of making it straight pipe from the headers onwards to the muffler but taking out the catalytic converter would mean extra unwanted noise plus emission problems

the last muffler replacement was enough to give that extra sound i wanted (bass) and for me, thats more than enough. i just love the fuel consumption of my car as it is. extra stuff like this are the icing on the cake! hehehe

[Germanos]

...i think thats how am going to do it too....your bimmer soundz sweet!!