325i felt slow

Post Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:12 pm

Done a track day at Snett last thurs and was really disapointed with the performance of the car. Although it felt fine low down it was wen i was rolling out of corners in third and changing up into fourth, third seemed to take for ever to the red line and fourth was even worse. It kinda felt like the car was holding back.

The car has recaintly had an oil change, new plugs, leads, running a K&N type induction and also has twin pumps and swirl pot in boot so cant be starved of fuel witch is the problem i used to get.

Any ideas how i can refresh the engine, performance fellas????

Thanks in advance.
Dave.

Post Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:07 am

Did it just feel sluggish? Was it hesitating? What speeds are you pulling in 3rd and 4th? Mine runs an indicated 185 km/h in 4th gear at around 5300rpm (about 115mph). What diff are you running?

Post Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:53 pm

PM sent

Post Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:05 pm

a sports cam will liven it up at 3,500 - but you loose a bit low down. Very happy with mine. Oh & shave a bit off the flywheel...it all adds up ££££££££

Post Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:30 am

AlpineAde wrote:Did it just feel sluggish? Was it hesitating? What speeds are you pulling in 3rd and 4th? Mine runs an indicated 185 km/h in 4th gear at around 5300rpm (about 115mph). What diff are you running?

No hessitation just felt slow, maybe it was me as i was dissapointed my mate went past me in his SR500 superlight caterham, but dont suppose you can expect the e30 to even compete with somethin like that lol.

As for the diff its just running a standard non lsd. Think changing this to a lower ratio would deff improve things. Any ideas on diff ratio's fellas?

Post Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:53 am

A quicker diff will definitely help ~ you'll lose top end but gain acceleration.

I'm not sure about this but your diff should have a little tag on it somewhere identifying what it is. You might want to "move it up" a notch, so to speak.

Whilst these cars are not quick by today's standards in stock form, they should still pull strongly all the way to redline.

I do suspect that a lot of this might be down to your mate...I mean a Caterham? Wollop! That'd go past a lot of things...

Post Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:31 pm

take the induction kit off and put original back on, will make it alot more responsive and remove flat spots

Post Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:33 pm

As above.

Post Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:35 pm

Alex wrote:take the induction kit off and put original back on, will make it alot more responsive and remove flat spots

Do you wrekon? I doubt it will make it "more responsive" probably wont make much of a difference.

Looks like you need to do some tuning, maybe a good re-map? 6 Branch? Cam? After that I would of thought you'd be going down the turbo route for more bang for buck...

Post Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:37 pm

mattyb240 wrote:
Alex wrote:take the induction kit off and put original back on, will make it alot more responsive and remove flat spots
Do you wrekon? I doubt it will make it "more responsive" probably wont make much of a difference.

Looks like you need to do some tuning, maybe a good re-map? 6 Branch? Cam? After that I would of thought you'd be going down the turbo route for more bang for buck...

you might be supprised, there is a thread on here with different air boxes and induction kits and they got dyno'd and bmw stock came off best. bmw spend milloins making them as good as they can, a good panel filter in there could help.

most people will say the same about original air box

Post Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:43 pm

Don't get me wrong I know they are good, and that other systems make little or no difference. But thats my point, it probably isn't doing any harm. Plus it will not solve his 'slow' problem.

Post Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:46 pm

will make it a bit better tho

Post Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:48 pm

Alex wrote:will make it a bit better tho

lol

Post Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:55 pm

you probably need 350bhp not to feel slow at snetterton, the straights are just too long and wide. my metro which is as quick as my m3, but feels faster because it's smaller and lower felt slow out of russel up the hill past the start line. a lower diff would probably help it feel more lively and exciting for the rest of the lap, but the straights are still going to make most cars seem sluggish.

Post Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:38 am

Agreed^^^

Most road cars feel pretty sluggish on a circuit (bar the obvious) , but snetterton is a different ball game

Longest straights and widest track in Britain ( Note: Most boring)

Post Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:13 pm

Check your TPS (throttle position sensor) is functioning properly, details in haynes manual. I had a similar feeling in mine, a 1988 facelift 325i, I cut it in half, cleaned it then glued it back together! After replacing it it felt a lot quicker at the top end. Also what octane fuel are you using?

Post Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:51 pm

mattyb240 wrote:
Alex wrote:take the induction kit off and put original back on, will make it alot more responsive and remove flat spots
Do you wrekon? I doubt it will make it "more responsive" probably wont make much of a difference.

It will make a difference! My E30 was flat and had a couple of flatspots with a K&N fitted. Returning it to standard was the best thing I did to the car.

Post Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:24 pm

StuBeeDoo wrote:
mattyb240 wrote:
Alex wrote:take the induction kit off and put original back on, will make it alot more responsive and remove flat spots
Do you wrekon? I doubt it will make it "more responsive" probably wont make much of a difference.
It will make a difference! My E30 was flat and had a couple of flatspots with a K&N fitted. Returning it to standard was the best thing I did to the car.

just standard air filter or a genuine bmw one??

Post Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:44 pm

genuine

Post Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:33 am

take the stupid bolt on K&N off ! that will be robbing a few ponnies, simply from engine heat soak..

Post Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:35 am

felstmiester wrote:Done a track day at Snett last thurs and was really disapointed with the performance of the car. Although it felt fine low down it was wen i was rolling out of corners in third and changing up into fourth, third seemed to take for ever to the red line and fourth was even worse. It kinda felt like the car was holding back.

The car has recaintly had an oil change, new plugs, leads, running a K&N type induction and also has twin pumps and swirl pot in boot so cant be starved of fuel witch is the problem i used to get.

Any ideas how i can refresh the engine, performance fellas????

Thanks in advance.
Dave.

Get rid and get yourself a 318is

Post Sun Oct 26, 2008 12:03 pm

i agree with shepsEvoM3, "is" = leight weight revy 4pots ftw

much better