E36 and E39 tuning

[-=<FOXXX>=-]

Hi guys

does anyone here have any experience with regards to E36 or E39 tuning? I wanna start work on tha old jalopy (the '96 325i) and Io was wondering if anyone had resources on how to do basic tuning for these vehicles. So far i'm aiming for the basics such as filters ands CAIs. I can work my way up from there. Oh and is there a possibility for an engine conversion say if I wanted to shoehorn a 3.0 I6 in the bonnet or (excuse my radical imagination) a BMW V8

any SERIOUS help would be much appreciated as well. Thanks peeps

[Ottoman]

I've owned and sold 4 E36's bimmers so imight be able to help u out...

3.0 would hardly be shoe-horning my friend...

the Euro M3 Evo comes with a 3.2 liter 321 Bhp +6spd Tranny

if u CAN find one of those.. it's a direct swap...

and yes u can "shoe horn" a E39 M5 engine into an E36.. hell i've seen an E30 with M5 engine!

honestly BMW's best platform for tuning is the E36 M3 Evo... has the most potential..

As for mods like you said...

CAI, Headers, Exhaust, Lightweight Flywheel, Clutch, Fan Delete Mod, underdrive pulleys, ECU tuning, Cams, Cam Gears, and the other usual N/A stuff

but if u want Serious power.. then u'll have to go for the Juice or Forced Induction...

hope that helps..

if u have any other questions just ask :)

[designo]

Great response Otto!

Personally, if i ever wanted to force induce an M powered motor, then E36 M3 evo would be my only choice of vehicle!

As for you dear FOXXX...

Initial work you can do on your car would be to examine the condition of your Mass Air Flow meters.. its always better to bring back lost power before trying to develope more! Make sure they are clean, and if not... clean them using a commercial electonic component cleaner!

Also, have a look at things like your spark plugs, injectors, oxygen sensors and check for any exhaust leaks!

Once you have done all those, then you can start loooking at things like cold air intake, exhaust upgrade and computer! If you want immediate power for low cost, then just replace your filters with a cold air setup ( preferable one that can ram air into your plenum ) and remapp your ECU!

That should put an immediate smile on your face!

[Ottoman]

damn straight... make sure ur car is healthy and in good working order before trying to squeeze more power out of it...

bmws are sensitive cars that get upset easily when they feel everything is not peachy (i'm sure designo can relate hehe)

but it's deffinately worth it, to hear the Howling of the Inline 6 with an Unrestricted raw induction noise and the raspy growl of a free flow exhaust...

Ohh yaa... BMW power :headbang:

[designo]

bmws are sensitive cars that get upset easily when they feel everything is not peachy (i'm sure designo can relate hehe)

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/images/smilies/puzzled.gif

[-=<FOXXX>=-]

thanxs alot for the help guys. Much appreciated

with the regards to the health. The only thing I can remember faulty about the car was the gearbox. (well can't really call it a fault coz I was ,and sometimes still, a madman behind the wheel and I burnt the clutch) one of my first ever options was to consider installing an E30 tranny instead of repairing the exsiting clutch and to my surprise the new tranny was much more responsive and stronger than the old one.

and I agree with Ottoman about BMWs being sensitive cars, hell I got alot of bugs around this car like the rear lights burning out every 3 weeks. Although I'm still working out what the car needs since I may have to do alot of dirty work on my own being the kind of guy who likes to tinker around with the toys.

well so far i've already designed my own CarPC for the 325i so that I can store my huge music database and have some other neat features on it (ok ok maybe GPS is a bit too much) but do you know of any software to integrate the ECU with a PC??

Cheers :friendz:

[Ottoman]

u can integrate the PC with a stereo (via indash LCD)

u need a power inverter that converts the Cars 12V to the PC's 110 or 220 V PSU

if u wanna use it for only music, I suggest u just get an a 60GB iPod and an FMtuner or the bmw car kit instead and save urself the headache

as for intergrating it to the ECU.. hah!

if ur Car is OBDII (don't think bmw switched to OBDII in 96 yet)
u can use an OBD II --> serial interface cable..

the problem is finding a software that can "speak" the bmw's language... (not easy)


theoretically yes it's possible
Practically? it's gonna be a b!tch to do

[Kayman]

Old generation BMWs have been known to have alot of problems from the gearbox to the ACs but the newer BMWs are not that sensitive anymore.

I've been reading BMW forums for ages now and I didn't come across any serious problem in the E46 except for the streptronic transmission which was fixed in 2002 :up2:

[Kayman]

u can integrate the PC with a stereo (via indash LCD)

u need a power inverter that converts the Cars 12V to the PC's 110 or 220 V PSU

if u wanna use it for only music, I suggest u just get an a 60GB iPod and an FMtuner or the bmw car kit instead and save urself the headache

as for intergrating it to the ECU.. hah!

if ur Car is OBDII (don't think bmw switched to OBDII in 96 yet)
u can use an OBD II --> serial interface cable..

the problem is finding a software that can "speak" the bmw's language... (not easy)


theoretically yes it's possible
Practically? it's gonna be a b!tch to do

damn I love this guy.. most useful member :kiss:

[Ottoman]

Old generation BMWs have been known to have alot of problems from the gearbox to the ACs but the newer BMWs are not that sensitive anymore.

I've been reading BMW forums for ages now and I didn't come across any serious problem in the E46 except for the streptronic transmission which was fixed in 2002 :up2:


by sensitive i didn't mean likely to break...

I meant sensitive to modifying... (especially OBD II bmws)

for example.. in take the M5...

the reason ppl pay so much for expensive exhausts is cuz they have High flow Cats...

the rear o2 banks in the exhaust send a signal to the ECU telling it how the emissions are..

if u cancel the cats and go straight pipe (like a US or Jap car) then the o2 sensors protest and tell the ecu something is wrong with the car, and the ECU goes into "safety" or "limp" mode..

so it's hard and (very expensive) to make more power and still keep the ECU happy and not piss it off and make it limp on u...


OBD-I cars didn't have a 2nd o2 sensor.. only a primary one for cycling between open and closed loop (mostly for fuel economy)


some OBD -II cars like Supra's and camaro's.. U can get a "rear o2 simulator" which u plug in place of the o2 sensor that lies to the ECU and sends it a normal signal and makes the car think the Cats are still in place....

[Black Beast]

sell your car and buy ls1.. walla the best engine.

thanks,
BB

[Ottoman]

ya ls1 is a good engine..

too bad the cars they put them in aren't...

maybe u could be a pioneer in fitting an LS1 into an E36 Foxxx :D

[JonnybravoM3]

sell your car and buy ls1.. walla the best engine.

thanks,
BB

hahaha oh no.. not this discussion again.... oh boy...

Foxx - u can write to D/A Motorsport in Istanbul who have done wonderful things with E36's... made friends with Mert who's E36 evo is up to 1000+bhp... but they would also gladly take on the task of installing stage-1 boltons... if u like i can give him ur email add (which u could PM me with) or i can simply get u his contact details....

another option could be to look up Alpina and see wat kind of upgrades they can get you... either way, you will not have to send ur car out of bahrain..(or wherever u live for that matter)..they send the parts to you and u can have them installed by any qualified BMW mechanic on the island.. ur lucky uve got an E36 and so u can take it to virtually any garage in bahrain whereas my E46 M3 engine is so complicated that even Euromotors dont know wat the heck theyre doin..lol..

goodluck!

[Black Beast]

its cheap and has good capabalities..

[designo]

its cheap and has good capabalities..
and a very good gearbox i here??? :smilelol:

[-=<FOXXX>=-]

ya ls1 is a good engine..

too bad the cars they put them in aren't...

maybe u could be a pioneer in fitting an LS1 into an E36 Foxxx :D


actually......................check out the never-ending project at http://www.vorshlag.com

but this really aint a walk in the park (considering the reputation of the T56 tranny to break down in the least pressure)

[vette4ever]

I've owned and sold 4 E36's bimmers so imight be able to help u out...

3.0 would hardly be shoe-horning my friend...

the Euro M3 Evo comes with a 3.2 liter 321 Bhp +6spd Tranny

if u CAN find one of those.. it's a direct swap...

and yes u can "shoe horn" a E39 M5 engine into an E36.. hell i've seen an E30 with M5 engine!

honestly BMW's best platform for tuning is the E36 M3 Evo... has the most potential..

As for mods like you said...

CAI, Headers, Exhaust, Lightweight Flywheel, Clutch, Fan Delete Mod, underdrive pulleys, ECU tuning, Cams, Cam Gears, and the other usual N/A stuff

but if u want Serious power.. then u'll have to go for the Juice or Forced Induction...

hope that helps..

if u have any other questions just ask :)

Great Information dude !!!!