325 Ignition Upgrade

[paulb]

I have a ton of questions about my 325is but theres one i cant find any info on at all up to this point. I am under the impression that the 1992 325is has a coil and a crank trigger.. Its also an OBDI car... In passed experience this means running an MSD box (specifically MSD 6al) would be a nice way to make the car not only a little more powerful but more efficient as well... What is the perfered method of improving to spark on these cars since it doesn't look like anyone with a bimmer has ever heard of MSD. Sorry for being a noobie and an old muscle car guy... but im trying...

Is the spark on this car controlled by the computer or is it just a trigger like im thinking... Also the local speed shop i paitron can get the stock plug wires for a whopping 422 bucks... A buddy of mine can get em for what he calls "list" at 250 bucks.. I knew stuff for this car was gonna be more than what im used to but thats still about 4x what i thought... is this normal and what kind of crazy boots do these wire have on em to make the price that hefty?

[Cruzin 323is]

ive seen MSD ignitions on bmw's before... i wouldn't see why this would be a problem.. since your into the Muscle cars.. u probably know how to do the install yourself... go for it.. and do a write up for all the rest of us.. and let us know how it goes!

[paulb]

wow thanx for the quick reply! I will with out doubt post a how to when i get it on there and i have access ot a hp dino so hopfully i can include the hp gain as well... but do you know if the 1992 deff only has a trigger or an i working around the computer too?

[Cruzin 323is]

not too sure about ignitions... sorry....

[jllphan]

The e36 isn't rocket science but it is unique. It does have individual coils, and is controlled by the DME. It also pulses at a much higher rate than do most typical "muscle cars". They do so with considerably less voltage, however. You don't see many aftermarket components for these cars, but there are a few. Electormotive Inc. (here)and Active Autowerke (here)carry aftermarket components, I don't feel as though these are the most cost effective components though. These cars come pretty complete, and other than boosting the fuel/air mix via various bolt ons, you would have to go FI to make any major leaps in performance.

[theruss1an1]

Bavarian auto also has high performance coils set. It costs a little under $800 though. I have yet to know anyone with his upgrade so I cant tell how well it works. But its probably a good idea to upgrade in the future if you have a lot of other mods.

-Serge

[paulb]

pulses faster? as in it sparks more than once per combustion? because im pretty sure it doesnt...