Chips?

[Sambe30]

I have a 1.6 M40, can you get a chip for it that will slightly increase bhp? And does anybody know if the car would have a cat? As ive heard with a stainless exhaust system and decat you will get a slight bhp gain. It's a 1990 316.

And before anyody says that it is a waste of time and to put a bigger engine in, I have looked into it but im only 19 and can't insure a engine conversion for a few years. Thanks a˜€

[aivaras325]

Try contacting him http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=187893 He doesn't post he has chips for 16 but never hurts to ask.

[Sambe30]

Thanks, have dropped him a message

[Brianmoooore]

It's unlikely that a UK '90 316i will have a cat., unless the original purchaser was an early tree hugger.
Very little to be gained, if anything, to be gained by changing a non cat. exhaust for an aftermarket one, and even replacing a cat. one will only give gains in MPG rather than BHP.
The last time I checked, insurers made little distinction between the 316i and the 318i, or even the 318iS. Are you sure your current insurer just doesn't like modified cars, rather than ones with a marginally bigger engine?

[Sambe30]

Hmm, I guess it hasn't got a cat then, so you don't think I'd gain anything from a full stainless system? And I searched probably every insurer for quotes on 318's and is's, but could just about insure a 316, it's because it's an old car, I can get insured on my mates 20k Range Rover sport for 400 less than I pay for my 316 lol

[jmc330i]

A 1990 316i wouldn't normally have a Cat, unless the original buyer was weird enough to opt for one. Even if it did have one from new and it needed replacing over the years, it will likely have been changed to a non-Cat just for cost reasons.
If it does have a Cat, you won't gain much from a decat in terms of performance but it will be slightly better on fuel.

As you rightly say, talk of engine swaps etc is pointless due to your age, but I would think spending money on any 'performance' mods for a 316i is equally pointless. I'd suggest spending the money on a decent service (about the only worthwhile thing you could do to an M40) and then concentrate on handling and stopping.

[Brianmoooore]

I'd suggest spending the money on a decent service (about the only worthwhile thing you could do to an M40) and then concentrate on handling and stopping.

Forgot to mention this in my post above! How old are the injectors on your car? It's nothing unusual for 100,000 mile old injectors to be delivering 20% less fuel than they should be, with consequent effects on power production. Add in a few minor air leaks, and the fuel mixture is way below optimum, robbing you of both BHP and MPG.
Look in our traders' section for 'Injectortune'.

[Sambe30]

Already had loads done so it's running sweet, plugs, all belts, fluids changed, steering rack, bushes, filters, water pump, discs + pads, shoes for the rear, brake pipes, and new shocks and springs all round, that was all at start of December. So handles and drives absolutely spot on, just want a bit more out of it

[jmc330i]

could just about insure a 316, it's because it's an old car, I can get insured on my mates 20k Range Rover sport for 400 less than I pay for my 316 lol

That's because there aren't many 19 year olds driving 20k Range Rovers which means not many claims, so the insurers see it as less of a risk than a 19 year old driving an old BMW.

It's the reason I was driving a 325i Sport at 21 instead of the usual hot hatches of the time... the BMW was almost half the cost to insure compared to a 205 GTi or Astra GTE.

[Sambe30]

Brian, there is nothing in all the paperwork about them being changed, car has done 110k. I'm not complaining that it's lacking in bhp as it does 85 in 3rd haha, I was just wandering if I could get more out of it. It is very low mpg, 16-20

[aivaras325]

What about quick shift? It might not make car faster but it would feel like it?
Lighten it, never carry what you don't need. Even fuel remove rear seats get some nice cover made to look nice. Same for trunk, just be sensable, keep spare wheel (or get what I call tablet - aka small steel wheel rather then some BBS or so,you could find one on e bay to fit e30 I am sure). Consider lighter wheels (this might be expensive tho).
Keep proper tire pressure.
If you drive short distances and not a lot maybe get other ratio diff? Will pull better at lower speeds but will kill your fuel economy.
Get diagnostics to be sure each sensor is feeding ECU right info? Could improve fuel economy as well as power. Also make sure no air leaks in system.
I dunno if it all helps I am not much of a tech I just read a lot on interwebs

[Sambe30]

I just keep a spare in the boot, and trying to keep the car as OE as I can and have a checkerd sport interior so don't really want to remove the seats, thanks for the suggestions though!