325ix....how much can it handle

[Scrotty]

right...more research

now we all like a bit of rwd action...but does anyone have some more info on the 4wd system bmw fitted to some e30's and e34's?

is it permanant 4wd or is it/can it be adapted to a switchable setup?
is it reliable?
what sort of system is it?(vauxhall 4wd viscous coupling requires all tyres to have the same tread always...paaain)
apart from clutch and other 'non related' mods, what sort of power can you run through the 4wd without things breaking?
guessing you still use a normal rear diff hence lsd....can one (lsd)be fitted to the front?

im ignorant as you like on this subject soo im probs miles off....correct me at will

[Geoff]

Some info for you mate. Good choice of car and one that needs expoliting with FI at some point me thinks.

http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylor/B ... 325ix.html

[handpaper]

It's permanent 4WD, power is transmitted to the front diff via a viscous coupling; rear diff is a viscous LSD. Good luck finding an off-the-shelf replacement for the front diff!
A few people in the US have modded them, usually by turbocharging; it's easier than a standard e30 as the engine sits more vertical, giving a bit more space on the exhaust side.
There's a guy on http://www.bmwe30net.net, Thing-90ix, with a twin-turbo setup! The driveline seems good to at least 400bhp, which will murder scoobys

[Geoff]

http://www.e30tech.com/featured/jim/

This guys done a nice article on his progression in turboing his motor. Runs a 11.88 qtr mile. Thats porsche turbo territory. Nice. Now i want an ix even more!!!

[Scrotty]

thanks for all the info soo far dudes

Audis and Subarus are front drive biased and is not as good inherently as the rear
drive bias of the iX

this means most power gets sent to the rear yarr? 4wd ignorance at its highest lol

The chain driven case has a
sealed viscous coupling which can transfer up to 90% of power to either
axle

chain driven......

[Scrotty]

on 12 psi I dynoed 278hp and 332lb/ft

sounds like what i want......

about 310hp, and probably 320lb/ft, but I haven't gotten back to the dyno since I ran my best time of 11.88 @ 113.7 on 14 psi

no...THATS what i want 14psi standard bottom end though.....

Power: 294.8 whp, 304.3 wtq (345 bhp 356 tq - Flywheel)
dyno chart

1/4 mile: 11.886 @ 113.76 mph.
timeslip

0-60mph in 3.23 seconds .

Top speed: Unknown, the speedo stops at 155mph

yeah baby

[Geoff]

I have heard that on a standard engine and everything else that if you red line it and side step the clutch it can do a 7 second 0-60! Which is pretty rapid. How long the half shafts/diffs etc wil cope is another matter.

Go one and get one!

[Scrotty]

if im converting my 4 door to an x...could i use e34 525ix tranny parts as theres more of them around and cheaper?or are the front shafts longer n diff ratios different?

when i had my cav gsi 4x4, all be it unreliable system, it could be moddified to switchable drive......

if this can be done i would defo do the conversion.....shes a 4pot atm with a leaking damper soo when the m20 goes in the all shocks etc need to be changed either way.

if not then maybe ill have to consider 2 x e30's
4 door 325ix sport : for practical/safe fast driving and a
cabriolet (not baur) m30 : for drop top drifting

[handpaper]

Converting would be an immense hassle as there are a number of chassis differences, including different shock towers and engine mounts, besides which iXs only came in LHD.
Just keep an eye out on ebay.de and you should find something OK before long. I'm quite tempted myself actually

[Scrotty]

the e34 525ix was avalible in rhd.....i was thinking between a rhd 325i sport, a rhd 525ix and maybe front drivshafts etc from a lhd 325ix it could be done....but if it involves much fabrication/bullshiz on mounts bulkhead i wont bother lol

[Morat]

My ultimate E30 would be a turbo'd iX touring, but from what I can tell iX tourings are very rare.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

this would be awesone, percivere mine froind

[ChrisBarns]

LSDs and front wheel drive can be a difficult combination as changes in torque (with changes in grip between wheels) lead to tugging at the wheel.

As i remember it ix versions were never about harnessing high power or sporty traction (unlike contemporary Ford Cosworths) but allowing people who live in mountainous parts of Germany and US to get home in the snowy months. That's why there was a 525ix and not 535ix or M5x.

Also, in a straight line on a dry road there is very little advntage to 4 wheel drive over rear since all the weight transfers rearwrds any way and the more power you have the more weight transfer there is. Check out 0-60 times for 911s and you'll find 4 wheel drive versions often slower because of extra weight. I realise they are rear engined (which helps) but i couldn't think of any other identical cars availiable with rear or 4 wheel drive.

Would love to hear how it turns out though!

[handpaper]

My ultimate E30 would be a turbo'd iX touring, but from what I can tell iX tourings are very rare.

Again, check ebay.de (they're all LHD, so you might as well get a German one). About half of the iX's I've seen on there have been Tourings.

[tim-ix]

I wouldn't want to tell you that a conversion from 2wd to 4wd is impossible Scrotty, because anything can be done given sufficient time and money, but the front suspension turrets are different among a myriad of other detail changes on the iX. I can't imagine it ever being worth doing when you can still buy iX's.

I'm in the process of doing suspension on my iX. I've got Koni adjustable shocks and H&R lowering springs to go on it and I'll renew a load of bushes while I'm at it. Just bought a manifold for it too. Mines a 4 door and I wish it were a touring, I've always liked them.

[ash-e30]

there is a few ix on autotrader e34 and think i remember seein a couple of e30 as well
good luck with it anyway mate

[keego1ie]

i must get my brother to join the forum as he might be able to answer a few of your questions as he owns 3 325ix's
cheers
Brian

[tim-ix]

Three 325iX's? That's getting pathalogical Brian.

There's a dedicated section for iX-specific issues on E30tech.com which is worth a look. It's not as good as E30zone IMO but there's a lot of info on there and a lot of US links.