more power out of my 1.6i

[alex_poulton]

I have a 1990 316i, runs like a dream after i put a bit of money into her, but i was thinking about the power, i was amazed to find out it has 110bhp as a 1.6 because i had a 2.0 sierra before and that was only 94bhp

anyway

can people give me advice on what i could do to get the max power out of my 1.6i, i was thinking kent cam, K&N kit, and see if i could fit the 1.8is injectors and fuel pump but im not sure and i dont know if i can do anything else ??

please give me some idea's

[Morat]

Honestly, the cheapest upgrade these days is £300 for a good 2.5 engine and labour on top to swap it over.
There are zoners who do this sort of thing for money.

The first question will be "What is your location?"

[alex_poulton]

if i do a engine swap, i can tell dvla because im only 19 insurance is high even on my 1.6i, i though about a engine swap but then im kinda screwed for MOT aint i

[hennared323i]

Change the lump for a 1.8 m40 - should be a direct swop

[Grrrmachine]

Look at an engine swap to an M42. Taking your capacity up 0.2 litres will give you around 140hp.

In contrast, a K&N kit will lose you power. The fuel pump is the same as a 2.5 engine anyway and will do nothing. Bigger injectors will just cause you to flood your engine and foul your plugs if you don't get your ECU adjusted to match. And the cam kit will cost you the same as the M42 engine and only give about 8hp more at peak RPM, at the massive cost of fuel economy. And even if you do make these mods, you still have to declare them to your insurance.

BMW engines aren't Ford scrap. You can't just bolt a load of junk on them and expect 30% hp increases, because BMW made them the best straight from the factory. But there's a whole section on engine swapping in this forum which will help you out

[jmc330i]

I know of two 170bhp 1.8 M40s thanks to turbo conversions, both internally standard afaik, but at your age insurance will not like it.

Unfortunately, the boring answer is to suck it up for a couple years and get some more experience/ncb and then try insuring a modded car when the costs are more sensible

[Tan91]

Thats what I'm waiting for now as well, I'm going to be 22 and live in west london, which is so expensive for car insurance, some insurance companies are actually refusing to insure in some areas unless you have loyalty with the company for more than 10 years.

Once Im 22 the cars going to be sorned, collect parts and upgrade the 316i to an M50B25.

If you have money to spend, especially for trying to make more power, your better off taking care of the M40 4 pot and making sure your shell is good to start with, rust search + repair. Repaint a few things, what ever you think needs doing.

As for power, use 5w40 fully synthetic, Good plugs (im using bosch super 4) and a K&N panel filter which has made a difference to be honest.

Also might want to check your Dizzy cap and Rotor arm, makes a big difference and maybe your HT leads. If all these are good the next best thing is have your injectors cleaned out and search for vacuum leaks if you suspect any, this should restore some lost power and make it feel better to drive. From this Major and Minor service it will be good enough to drive for a good 5 years obviously with yearly services and what not. Timing belt too if it needs doing.

Plus you gain knowledge as well which is useful, I was in your position a Year ago wanting to chuck in a M50 or M20, but its wiser to wait. Plus bigger engine or more power is more maintenance as well...

Good luck and keep us posted

[FinalD]

If you're 19 and an engine swap will screw you on insurance, so will modifying the car anyway, keep it standard, look after it, change the engine when you have a few years experience and NCB.

[kangman]

Get to the gym and get your fat ass on a treadmill and lose like 15kg

strip your interior seats, spare wheel, carpet...

Whilst your busting your balls at the gym send the car in for a full service

After all that it will go a bit faster, will it be worth it NO. Like above build up some experience and a few years no claims, use the car as a cruiser for now.

[FinalD]

I found I gained weight at the gym (lost fat, gained muscle mass), so that isn't the best advice.

[Tan91]

I found I gained weight at the gym (lost fat, gained muscle mass), so that isn't the best advice.

But its progress at least your a healthier weight

[FinalD]

You'd not notice, I'm a thin lad anyway, just made myself more trim and added muscle definition...perfect for topless drives in the cabriolet.

[JF008]

I think that unless you are loaded or make your car your number one priority, e30 ownership is more about style and reliability then performance. Its frustrating to hit the juice when nothing happen but I had vehicles of all kind and my 1.8l M40 is by far the most reliable motor I ever had. As above, keep it serviced and in good repair.. Then s65 swap when insurance companies stop being such rapists of course.

[Tan91]

I think that unless you are loaded or make your car your number one priority, e30 ownership is more about style and reliability then performance. Its frustrating to hit the juice when nothing happen but I had vehicles of all kind and my 1.8l M40 is by far the most reliable motor I ever had. As above, keep it serviced and in good repair.. Then s65 swap when insurance companies stop being such rapists of course.

100% agree, a good service with decent parts will do you no harm in the pocket. Maybe a major service if neccessary but, building knowledge and experience is free so no harm in getting some kudos there.

Post a pic of the turd as well..

[bmw9818]

I was in your position start off inside out, I sorted my interior got heated leathers, sorted my armrest, sorted audio system, map light mirror, Obc, basically fully loaded it, battery in boot kit,

I'm sure you can sort your rear end out without any hassle, new subframe bushes, brake lines, stainless lines while your down there, you can also drop the tank and waxoyl around there, get the tank powder coated and rubber lines replaced along with fuel filter,

Polybush your trailing arms and fit disc arms, you could also chuck in a rear arb as 316s don't have them, upgrade the front arb for a thicker but standard e30 arb, loads of bits you can still do! Better off making the car solid as a foundation so when the time comes you won't have to run around doing extra work on it,

[alex_poulton]

all awesome advice, the car is solid already, iv repaired all the rust, had it undercoated, just fitted new bottom arms, track rod end, droplink arm, new brakes all round ext so its a dream right now,

i stripped out the inside, i now have 2 bucket seats & harness's, no rear seat, stripped the sounding out, sprayed the inside black so it looks good,

i have done loads of work to the old girl just looking for a bit more power now, someone said to me about the 2.5 swap but i think that will be expensive, i was going down the 2JZ road as i have one sitting in the workshop but im saving that for a s14 project im starting with the girlfriend

[Kos]

Welded diff fitted yet ?

[alex_poulton]

yep diff is welded but only untill i buy the LSD

[Kos]

yep diff is welded

I'm not surprised

Back to your original question.....

More power, it's not worth it. Nothing you do will give you any worthwhile power gains

Fuel pump will probably be the same as IS and induction kits don't work and spending money on cam is just a waste of £300

[FinalD]

How much of your modifications are declared to your insurance company?

[Rancid]

How much of your modifications are declared to your insurance company?

How many

[BATTS91]

You my friend maybe in for some critism on your choice with a welded diff .

Not from me, mines welded with and m50 up front .

Im with the other guys tho dont bother puting money in a 1.6 engine . Is the e30 your main vehicle ? There are some classic insurers that deal with modifications .but as with all classic the vehicle cant be your main driver .

Have fun

[alex_poulton]

na this is not going to be my everyday drive, track car only now so no insurance, changed my mind when i got my hand on a 3rd E30 316i in mint shape haha

[FinalD]

How much of your modifications are declared to your insurance company?

How many

I had an English brain fart when typing and couldn't work out what word to use, usually I am not so spastic.

[StefanAnghel]

Had same problem when I bought my first e30 316i and got the same answer from the zoners years ago...
Save up money and experience...start to collect bits and bobs for what engine you want to put in...improve everything you can before the engine; like suspension, brakes, interior, sort out the rust and when you'll be ready do a conversion!

The wait will worth...

Proud owner of an 316i with a healthy m50b25, sorn at the moment in storage

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... sc&start=0

[alex_poulton]

thanks for the link should come helpful thanks

[Brianmoooore]

If this is a track only car, that doesn't need to be insured for the road, then an engine swap is the only sensible way to get more power.

[pacerpete]

all awesome advice, the car is solid already, iv repaired all the rust, had it undercoated, just fitted new bottom arms, track rod end, droplink arm, new brakes all round ext so its a dream right now,

i stripped out the inside, i now have 2 bucket seats & harness's, no rear seat, stripped the sounding out, sprayed the inside black so it looks good,

i have done loads of work to the old girl just looking for a bit more power now, someone said to me about the 2.5 swap but i think that will be expensive, i was going down the 2JZ road as i have one sitting in the workshop but im saving that for a s14 project im starting with the girlfriend

Any pics ? of the girlfriend

[Rancid]

Any pics ? of the girlfriend

From what I read on here, I thought males were more your thing, Pete

[Cloggy Saint]

Any pics ? of the girlfriend

From what I read on here, I thought mules were more your thing, Pete