High Milage Mods - BMW Forum

Arctic · 12-10-2004, 12:43 PM

Right. Somewhat new to the forums. I recently bought a black 1992 325i with 141,000mi for about $6k. I would like to do some preformance upgrades on it, but im not sure which or what would be worth my time / money. Tansmission and engine seem to be in pretty good shape (say my fellow enthusiests), but it is my first manual and im not sure what to look for. Dealer said there might be an aftermarket chip in it but im not sure where to look for that either. My goal for this vehicle is to get it on the track by next spring (2005) , however it still has to be my everday transportation as well - so I don't just want to go ripping out the interior or anything. Any suggestions are welcome, thnx.

12.25.04 or 25.12.04 whichever you prefer:
I've been looking at the possible mods out there but im not sure which would be worth my money. I do not wish to spend more the $4k total on preformance mods so im not sure what to put into it. Again this has to be a street car as well as preform decently on the track. If you suggest multiple things - try and put them in some sort of order for me.
Thnx

Furious · 12-10-2004, 01:57 PM

anything short of forced induction will be just fine, my car has 260+kilometeres which is close to your 140k, and the mods are working just fine.

Arctic · 12-25-2004, 02:22 AM

^bump. -Didn't feel like starting a new post.-

sean · 12-25-2004, 03:21 AM

yah you could do a cold air intake, a chip, exhaust, for the engine mods for now. you don't have to buy the most expensive brands, some of the lesser ones are just as good, (exhaust wise not really true for chip). also i don't know too much about it since my car is a 4 cyl but you could look into the fan delete mod that would help a little and is free.

also if you want to track the car i would look into some strut tower braces, and a better suspension setup.

it is late right now otherwise i would go into more detail

-Sean

Arctic · 12-25-2004, 10:59 AM

good deal.
thnx

earthwormjim · 12-25-2004, 02:50 PM

Just get a compression test, standard maintence and maybe an inspection II done. After that if your compression is up to par your good to go with pretty much any mod, forced induction included. BMW engines are built like tanks, they hold up pretty well.

Cruzin 323is · 12-25-2004, 09:02 PM

if u want it to be a track car... throw an m3 motor and tranny in it!! thats a big start!

thekid · 12-25-2004, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cruzin 323is@Dec 25 2004, 09:02 PM
if u want it to be a track car... throw an m3 motor and tranny in it!! thats a big start!

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Wow... Cruzin this comment is not to you in particular, but I am getting really tired of that response to everything any one says, and then when some one asks questions about how to do it everyone just ignores him because "he's not really going to do it". Once again Cruzin that remark was not aimed at you but everyone. We all know very few people have the resources to do the swap or the know how, but it is always thrown out as a viable option. I'm stopping now so as not to Hijack the thread.

Arctic-So to answer your question, if you are going to track it, the first thing is suspension. So either get Bilstien Coil-overs, those will run you a bit over 1k, or get Bilstien sports, or Koni Adjustable Shocks (what I would go for) and H&R cup springs and rear camber kit, that should run you about 1k or mayby a little bit more. Then get front and rear sway bars, I would recommend Eibach, should run you new around $350-500 (I havn't checked prices in a bit) or spend the money and get Dinan Adjustable bars (if you have the money, also what I would go for). Then Chip and CAI, maybe M3 throttle bodies, or bore yours out to M3 or even Dinan specs. Then with whats left get a 5pt harness and possibly racing seats (depends on your comfort needs and what you can tolerate as comfortable). That should take care of you. If you have any change left from that, then strut mounts/braces would not be a bad idea either.

Arctic · 12-26-2004, 03:23 AM

thekid - Thankyou, your post was most informative. An additional question / note - the dealership I bought it from said that it might have an aftermarket chip in it already. How can I check?

Furious · 12-26-2004, 07:57 AM

two ways , first one is to open the dme and check the chip, either it will have an aftermarket name on it, or you can check the chips number and cross referance it.

the second way is simply by driving the car. take it past the redline? well than more than likely you have a chip. (you can also take your car past the govern, but i dont recommend that one)

Delmarco · 12-26-2004, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Arctic@Dec 26 2004, 03:23 AM
thekid - Thankyou, your post was most informative. An additional question / note - the dealership I bought it from said that it might have an aftermarket chip in it already. How can I check?

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I hope they didn't just tell you that so that you might pay more for something that might not or might be in your car!