help!!! performance quest

[keggy]

at teh minute im buildin up a e30 316i. im about to put on the head and am wonderin if its worthwhile getin it polished and ported as its going away to get skimmed already. also would be wortwhile to add a uprated cam. i am also thinkin of adding a bmc induction kit, stainless steel sport exhaust system and a zone chip(if 1 is made for that engine). would all this give me much more power? i would change the engine to a bigger 1 but for insurance purposes i cant

[chu346]

i would change the engine to a bigger 1 but for insurance purposes i cant

But you would need to tell the insurance company about the mods anyway, so it could work out cheaper just to buy a more powerful model.

Anyways i've heard that polishing isn't very good value for money at aprox Ԛ£300 and a cam (Ԛ£300) would be better but the first mod has to be a chip then airfilter (enclosed one) and exhaust. You might be satistfied with that. But if you have the money fcuk, it do it all. Which should cost about Ԛ£1300

[psychochild187]

for the power it realy isnt worth it
the chip would be for the money spend and gains u get .
the cam wont , the induction kit for the nosie
but the porting and polishing isnt worth it .
go for complete service eg plugs, leads, rotor, oil, filters, cambelt, all the good stuff and just drive it harder
but wait with that engine and get a whole new engine at a later date

thers no cheaper way to get power(with reliability) than to go bigger engine

thats my veiw

[chu346]

I was in the same position as you keggy 4 years ago, and everyone was just telling me the same, get a more powerful car. I didn't want to belive them, but the truth is they were right mate. So thats what i've done and its definatly worth it.

[keggy]

u see i cant go for a bigger engine as im only 17. do power boost valves do nething??

[Gwynleym10]

Power boost valve's do very little, U will spend thousands on making a m40 316i more powerful.

Have you done anything to the brakes/suspension? Because you will need to upgrade these first if you want more power.

Best bet is to source 318is suspension and brakes, Its m-tech suspension and vented front brakes and discs rear. Also you get thicker anti roll bars. I bought mine for Ԛ£200,

This makes a hell of a difference and you will far faster in corners etc than any of your mates in Vauxhauls and fords...

Keep it like this for a couple of years while you build up no claims and more importantly gain driver experience. Then if your car is worth it convert a bigger engine, ie m42 318is which is a pretty easy swap for a m40 316. Then maybe modify that.

[Zayyan]

If you're 17 and want more power for the same insurance money, can you not get an M40 318i?

That's in the same insurance group and you get 13 extra bhp for nothing.....

[keggy]

trying to find a 316i/318i engine in northern ireland is near impossible. its a 318i head going on the car but it is the same as the 316i aint it??

[Jos]

Try Railway Autospares in Ballynahinch, specialist BMW breakers.

028 9756 1240

or there is a large garage in Newtowards that have a fair amount of stuff, mostly newer cars though but you never know.

028 9181 9168

Good luck.

And yes the heads are the same..

[keggy]

thanks mate thatll hopefully help alot

[nav786]

i will have a 1.8 engine in a few months. i am taking it out of my car as i will be putting in a bigger lump. its had a full head rebuild bout 2000 miles ago.

[keggy]

where u from??

[nav786]

Guildford area. its quite a distant from where you are

[keggy]

think so lol. cost alot to get sent over 2??

[Zayyan]

I've sure someone with a large, perhaps French, but economical hathback could drive it over for fuel money in their long summer holiday.

Hmmm who do I know with a large French hatchback with a long summer holiday coming up

Having said that fuel money will still be quite a bit

[keggy]

dont remind me of hols

[Zayyan]

I'm guessing you've got the same but worrying about the exams that come before them?

[keggy]

nope workin full time mechanic in vauxhall garage. only 2weeks hols and nowhere 2 go and no money 2 spend on it lol