Want my 97 328i to be quicker

[bmw>everything]

Im a newb to the forum and bmw's. I just got a 97 328i with low miles and i cant help smiling while i drive it. It has a pretty nice smooth acceleration but i want it to be fast. I am thinking about doing a obd1 conversion and getting a comforti chip for it. Im wondering if i should just save up for a turbo kit though. I also want to get a CAI and am wondering how the active autowerke intake compares to the comforti intake? I want a little tighter suspension to and am wondering what you guys recommend when it comes to sway bars, springs, and shocks. Sorry for the huge post. BMW's rock.

Thanks,
Sam

[Kevin325i]

OBD I conversion is a good start. Soon jllphan will be browsing this and explain his saga, so I won't steal his thunder this time, normally I do.

[CDSystad]

it all comes down to where you want the power to be...lower end or higher. as for the suspension i would go with a dinan sway bar, and for shocks and springs you should definetly check out h&r

[Mr White G]

I know a Dinan 'Charger converted 328 and it is lovely..... and capable of whipping new model M3's!

[RIBEMR26]

I know a Dinan 'Charger converted 328 and it is lovely..... and capable of whipping new model M3's!

Somehow...I think not....Brand new M3 comes stock with almost 300HP (I think)...Your 328 comes stock with 190HP ...I don't think the supercharger adds more than 100hp does it?

[Styles]

Thats a good buy :P, The obd convertion would be superb for that car... allowing you to do more modifications and whatnot...
Conforti CAI is a great start, It works, and it gives a little boost. (around 350us)
Performance chip.. either conforti upgrade, turner motorsports, etc.. are all a great choice.
Suspension.. Lower the car down, which will give you a better sensation when driving, You'll feel that you will have a lot more control and stability.
struts are a must when lowering.
Power pully kit = good choice
its endless...

[Deloriant]

Yeah it's pretty tough to make an e36 as fast as a new M. They come stock with 333hp and about 262ftlb torque. The fastests 3 series e36(outside the m), is the 328is, that comes with about 190hp and 210ftlb torque. Superchargers will give you about 80 or so (with higher than average boost), and that'll only bring you to about 270. Intake, exhaust, headers, and cams could probably kick you up to about 300-310. If ya wanna cough up the mad cash for port and polish maybe you could get up to 320-325. Admittedly though, an e36 with 325hp could probably take a new M becuase of the weight difference. Either way, if anyone has lots of money they want to get rid of, that's how it's done!

[NeverLeaned]

I think the torque figures more prompently into the equation... what is the torque figure of the S/C?

270hp/ 320lb of torque could definately give 320hp/260lb of torque a run for the money...........

[jllphan]

Hey man, to the forums!

I'll try to keep it short, as most are not new to my scriblings....

The OBDII-OBDI is an excellent mod. It is all pros and no cons. You get about 28hp right off the bat, and it allows one to chip their car as opposed to Sharking it. With new software and the conversion you are gonna be in the neighborhood of 230hp. Add a CAI, and a free flow exhaust and you are probably up to 240hp. Maybe more. I have done most of this, and once it is complete, I will dyno and report (hopefully by the end of summer, runnin out of time-LOL).

The beauty of the aforementioned is, you don't even get into the internals of the car (unlike head work) which can be pricey and scary if not performed by a VERY qualified enigne guy. And unlike a turbo or supercharger it will not shorten your enigne life. All good and no bad, well maybe an empty wallet, but you can drive around broke and have a lot of fun.

[bmw>everything]

Thanks for all the input, i think im gonna start out by getting Bilstein PSS coilovers and H&R sways. I really like the sound of the OBD1 conversion also, how hard is it to setup? I've looked at some cams also, VAC cam, this seems like way to good of a deal, has anyone had any experiences with VAC cams?

Thanks,
Sam

[jllphan]

PSS9 kit is on my list as well.

Hadn't looked into a hotter cam yet, still playin with the bolt-ons. You can get a whole OBDII-OBDI conversion kit from Zionsville Autosport. They installed mine and prepped most of my car. The DME and wiring swap would be the most time frustrating IMO.

[Mr White G]

Jllphan has given you the safest and easiest mods to do. I don't think you'd bore too quickly of an extra 40bhp!

On the charger issue:

RIBEMR26 - You think not? Think again.... I've seen the conversion done.

DELORIANT - Not a bad guess but it didn't take all that fancy work to the internals (bar a thicker gasket) to get 335bhp.

Neverlearned - Look like you learned something somewhere( ); the torque is the key in this conversion. A luxury offered through forced induction which can't be matched by a NA engine.

[jllphan]

I couldn't agree with you more Mr White "G". Unless you track on the weekend, torque is more appreciated in every day agressive commuting. That is one big reason why bang for the buck a M52 is worth it. You start off with that much torque, once your done bolting things on, your approaching 255-260 ft./lbs. tq. At least that's what i am hoping for once i hit the dyno

[amancuso]

What exactly does the conversion entail? Is it basically just swapping a computer out or something? wires need to be cut? is it hard to do?

-Al.

[007ben]

sawp out of the computer and intake. possibly more. but thats the primary stuff.