318iS tuning

[Piper]

Hi im new on here, I own an iS which is in need of an engine rebuild, smokes badly over 5k and timing chains in need of replacement. Are the parts for the re-build readily available? And what are my options for tuning while im doing the work? Ill be looking to build a fast road engine, and was thinking about using new management with bodies, possibly from an s14 if they fit? Any Help or ideas would be appreciated as im not very up to date with the bmw tuning side of things. I have spent the last few years playing with sierra's (my daily drive and track car) and my knowledge only extends this far!

Thanks in advance

Piper

[Dan318-is]

The men to speak to about this in depth are tim_s and andy (demlotcrew)

Generally speaking though there is a lot you can do. The most worthwhile mod if you wish to keep the capacity the same is to lighten the flywheel; the IS uses a dual mass one which weighs a tonne. So get the stock one shaved, or use an m40 flywheel, which is also 3-4 kilos lighter iirc.

Regarding the capacity, there is a variety of options that can be used; m44 pistons and crank can be used, and with the block decked, can create 1.9 litre stroker. There is also a 2.1 option but not sure exactly what it involved! (speak to tim_s he has just done this)

As for throttle bodies, there is a dbilas kit for about 1000 if you wanna spend big adn break the bank! Aparently it starves the first cylinder though? Failing this, i think s50 throttle bodies may fit better than s14 ones (again ask tim_s especially about this); he also mentioned clearance problems between idle rail and throttle cable i think?

As for the head, some schrick cams wouldnt go a miss and a big bore throttle body (cue plug for zone shop). The cam sprocket on IS' is adjustable from the factory also; apparently an intake cam advance of 5 degrees increases high end torque but im not sure who on here has done that mod.

There is a lot of options out there and a lot of info on this site lately has been surfacing about IS modifications; use the search button and have a look mate

o and welcome

[tim_s]

hi piper,
if you have a search around there's quite a bit of info on this. you can get out to 1.9 cheaply enough, past there it gets expensive.
parts for the M42 like shells, rings etc still easy to come by, quite pricey though, cranks etc are pretty expensive from BMW too - i have a good spare crank if you need one if yours is nailed or whatever.

you certainly can make an engine not too dissimilar to the s14 from the M42, but its quite expensive and the conventional wisdom is not to bother. andrew (demlot) has shown that the inlet ports on the m42 are not as nice as the s14 ones either, but it does have other advantages compared to the standard s14 - oil squirters in the block, adj cam pulleys, sits v far back in the engine bay etc and is more compact.

I'm possibly selling my 2.1 conversion with a brand new unused high CR 2.1 bottom end (still at the machinists!), modded m3 throttle bodies, custom plenum etc, pretty much complete ready to drop in for Ԛ£2k. no offers. will chuck in timing chain for you too! this is not making any profit, is just what i've spent.
should be good for 200+bhp. reason for possible sale is insurance company being a bitch.
here's a pic of my tbs: