Whats Better For Tuning 2.5 Or 2.8

[mprhead5]

I am going to be getting an e36 soon and am interested in finding out which engine is better for tuning. it seems that both the 2.5 and 2.8 respond well to boltone and cam/software upgrades. but i have also noticed that it seems the 2.5l engine people have been posting better rwhp figures than some of the 2.8l engines.
I am going to keep the car all motor and am looking for 240 rwhp but i could settle for 220 if thats unrealistic. Im not looking for a parts list just some pointers on which engine will respond best to cam/software and bolton upgrades to get me where i want to be. also info on what cars have limmited slip or higher rear ratios other than the m3 since i would rather get it on the car than have to install one for 800-1200 dollars
so far i am lookinh to get possibly a 98-99 328is but want to make sure i start with the right motor.

[SHAHAB323IS]

just buy an m3, i don't think any regular 3er comes with an lsd, with an m3, you'll get 240hp and an lsd, and prolly less than it would cost you to buy a 325 or 328 and upgrade it

[wulley1]

yup. get an M3 if you can. By the time you upgrade it to M3 performance levels, you will havespent more than you would have on an M3.

Insurance can be high for an M3 though, so get quotes comparing an M3 with a 325 or 328.

[Furious]

get the 328, you have a bit more to work with than the 325

[94BMW325i]

yeah once you get the 325 manifold, the m50 on a 328 you will then basically respond to mods as well as a 325 would, but you will have more tq already. I believe.

[thekid]

What about an OBDII 325i converted back to OBDI then with parts from the 328i or the M3 bolted on? Or is the 328i engine still better off?

[catalyst.]

Theres no replacement for displacement.

The 2.8 will make better numbers, but the software on the 2.5 is easier to mod.. some would disagree, and ive heard that OBDII mods are getting better and better.

[jllphan]

Originally posted by catalyst.@Jul 24 2005, 08:42 PM
Theres no replacement for displacement.

The 2.8 will make better numbers, but the software on the 2.5 is easier to mod.. some would disagree, and ive heard that OBDII mods are getting better and better.

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...and you can convert OBDII to OBDI and mod however you so choose.

Always buy the newest, largest powerplant BMW offers. In this case you have more torque and mid range power to work with.

[drz]

All said above already, but I say get a 2.8, do OBDI to OBDII swap, get s50 cams, m50 intake manifold, some other m3 parts, and you'll get what you are looking for.

If you can stomach the insurance costs, just get an m3. Far less trouble and still moddable.

[catalyst.]

Originally posted by jllphan+Jul 24 2005, 09:03 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jllphan @ Jul 24 2005, 09:03 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-catalyst.@Jul 24 2005, 08:42 PM
Theres no replacement for displacement.

The 2.8 will make better numbers, but the software on the 2.5 is easier to mod.. some would disagree, and ive heard that OBDII mods are getting better and better.

[snapback]364934[/snapback]

...and you can convert OBDII to OBDI and mod however you so choose.

Always buy the newest, largest powerplant BMW offers. In this case you have more torque and mid range power to work with.

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[/b][/quote]

True, but what about inspection?

Just wondering.. what do you personally do about that?

[drz]

Yes, I'm curious, because you wouldn't pass emissions if you did the swap. They don't test in all states, do they? I know I have owned a vehicle in AR for the past three years and have never gone through emissions testing.

[thekid]

Good bless AR... so inspections at all. Just registration.

[jllphan]

Originally posted by catalyst.+Jul 25 2005, 09:09 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(catalyst. @ Jul 25 2005, 09:09 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>
True, but what about inspection?

Just wondering.. what do you personally do about that?

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[/b]

<!--QuoteBegin-drz328i@Jul 25 2005, 11:33 AM
Yes, I'm curious, because you wouldn't pass emissions if you did the swap. They don't test in all states, do they? I know I have owned a vehicle in AR for the past three years and have never gone through emissions testing.

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Huh? No problems with inspections.....what would cause me to fail? Visual inspection merely requires a catalytic converter, and the emission test only requires a low pollutant output, which any solidly running car should achieve.