e30 mods. what have you

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

User avatar
diamondblacke28
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:00 pm

Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:25 pm

just bought my 325i 3 weeks ago my third e30.

it has a non standard back box (dont know what it is).
it has bilstiens all round and lowered 40 mm

mods so far are

smoked front traffs
power boost valve.

next plan is a wild chip

many more mods in mind

what mods do you have on your car.
romario
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Costa Del Bolton

Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:31 pm

Put the mild chip in my 325i auto cab last week. Makes a noticable difference. Bet the Wild chip will make a BIG difference. Seems to me they make the biggest difference for the money spent.
doughboy
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 316
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Beckenham

Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:36 pm

Only had my tech2 sport a few months. Got the BBTB & Wild chip and Scorpion system, the rest is standard..


I absolutely love it.. The chip & body make the car really shift once the revs creep above about 4k. The noise from the scorpion is awesome.

I know the mods work too, since I totally annihilated some dude in a normal 325 the other day :cool:
User avatar
diamondblacke28
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:00 pm

Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:45 pm

the power boost valve is a good mod it would compliment the big bore throttle body.
fuzzy
He who sleeps with "Gingers"
Posts: 14351
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: melbourne Australia

Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:47 pm

mainly my engine conversion but also bilstein suspension,ebc discs,ceramic pads,custom exhaust,escort cosworth motorsport fuel pump ,angel eye headlights,red/clear rear lights,clear indicators.future plans include power upgrade with bigger injectors,chip and higher boost to give around 340bhp winkeye
fuzzy
He who sleeps with "Gingers"
Posts: 14351
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: melbourne Australia

Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:49 pm

diamondblacke28 wrote:the power boost valve is a good mod it would compliment the big bore throttle body.
most on here would disagree and i had 2 garages refuse to work on my engine until i had put the original fuel regulator back on :roll:
Simon
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 14936
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: South Wales
Contact:

Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:57 pm

fuzzy wrote:
diamondblacke28 wrote:the power boost valve is a good mod it would compliment the big bore throttle body.
most on here would disagree and i had 2 garages refuse to work on my engine until i had put the original fuel regulator back on :roll:
Yeah agreed, lost count how many horror stories I've heard about these power boost valves, seems they like starting fires!
Image
User avatar
blingsta
Boost Junkie
Posts: 2930
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Enfield

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:06 pm

ive had mine for about 2yrs now with no probs
m-dtech
Unapproved Trader caution
Posts: 2068
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:00 pm

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:09 pm

what does a power boost valve do ?
Turbo-Brown
Boost Junkie
Posts: 4705
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aldershot, Hants
Contact:

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:09 pm

There really isn't any point in them, your engine isn't a bonfire and indiscriminately adding fuel to it won't make it any more powerful, it'll just wear out quicker!
325i Twin Turbo (until 10am 01/12/07 :( )

www.air-in.co.uk free M20 exhaust and inlet flange
User avatar
diamondblacke28
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:00 pm

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:29 pm

the power boost valve realy does work when you drive like a idiot all over town.
there is no differnce at normal road speed.

when people like my self havent got thousands of pounds to throw at at engine conversion.

we look at cheaper ways to gain more power.

if i had a bottom less pit for a pocket i would go down the engine conversion road but until that day comes
i will have to make doe with a chip/fse/bbtb and the like.

no offence to all you that have carried out an engine conversion on your e30.
i am envious.

and a big thumbs up to you all.
User avatar
diamondblacke28
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:00 pm

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:34 pm

how can a power boost valve cause a fire?
if you no share it.

it takes a spark to lite petrol and a fuel leak to create the sourse.

petrol wont lite if spilt on to a manifold.
Simon
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 14936
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: South Wales
Contact:

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:37 pm

But, they only benefit your car if you have major engine modifications.

It's just an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, and is just overfuelling your car.

Seriously a total waste of time and money, and I hope the day doesn't come for you when it decides to burn your car out!
Image
fuzzy
He who sleeps with "Gingers"
Posts: 14351
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: melbourne Australia

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:38 pm

surely if your pumping larger amounts of fuel into your engine you need to increase the airflow to get the mix right or it will just run over rich? and your ecu/chip needs to be able to understand whats going on so everything runs smooth :?
Turbo-Brown
Boost Junkie
Posts: 4705
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aldershot, Hants
Contact:

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:38 pm

I'm not having a pop at anybody, and fair play to FSE's marketing people, but I'd bet your engine will last longer with just the BBTB and the chip and no Power boost valve than with it.

All the things do is pour more fuel in, but without any extra air, that doesn't achieve anything! :(

EDIT> Oops, 2seconds too late! :lol:

Also, any under bonnet fuel leak's dangerous and pretty much anything will ignite in the presence of enough heat and oxygen!
325i Twin Turbo (until 10am 01/12/07 :( )

www.air-in.co.uk free M20 exhaust and inlet flange
ShepsEvo3
Master of go faster
Posts: 1881
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Bristol/Wiltshire

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:43 pm

fuzzy wrote:
diamondblacke28 wrote:the power boost valve is a good mod it would compliment the big bore throttle body.
most on here would disagree and i had 2 garages refuse to work on my engine until i had put the original fuel regulator back on :roll:
If you have the standard cosworth FPR back on your car, that too is adjustable! Its like a little version of the power boost valve itself!
I am using the cosworth FPR on a superchareger conversion myself, as it increases with boost, but this is not an E30, so I will shut up! :roll:

EDIT: Thats if you are on about the 2WD version ofcourse! :wink:
E30 M3 Unichip Alpha N style conversions, this is the ultimate for extracting the best out of your S14 M power car.
Also, Live mapping of your Standard Motronic ECU for optimising all your modifications.
www.sabre-tuning.co.uk
maxfield
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 15186
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mansfield

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:49 pm

My dads done so far

2.5 engine rebuild cams etc c/f airbox
h&r coilovers
brembos 330 4pot calipers
respray new lights angel eyes

interior releathjere 2 tone

flip out screen
head rest tvs
2 subs one amp

the list is endless i cant be bothered
Image
Turbo-Brown
Boost Junkie
Posts: 4705
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aldershot, Hants
Contact:

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:49 pm

Any standard FPR will increase fuel pressure as a function of manifold pressure. Give it 1bar of boost and the fuel pressure will go up by a corresponding 1bar.....assuming the pump can keep up!
325i Twin Turbo (until 10am 01/12/07 :( )

www.air-in.co.uk free M20 exhaust and inlet flange
User avatar
diamondblacke28
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:00 pm

Tue Sep 12, 2006 7:20 am

the fpr doesnt give the car more fuel it just there a lot faster and is squirting with more pressure.
which makes it accelerate a bit quicker
Quasigriz
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:35 am

I have a 320i cabrio that I blew a cylinder out of in July. I bought and drove a whole 325 out of the junkyard for 350. I didn't realize till I got to the shop it was a 325e. We pulled the 320i motor and began modding the 325e into a quasi 325i. I used:

From 325e:
Block
Head
Transmission
Fan
Water pump

From the 320i
Throttle body
Injectors and wiring
Fuel rail
Starter
Linkage
Computer
Radiator
Alternator
Power steering pump
Pulleys
Timing sensor
Thermostat housing and thermostat
Standard wiring harness for 320i

Surprisingly, when put in the cabrio, it works well and puts out 15.5-16 compression.

I'm trying to find a 325i throttle body since the intake on the 325e is the same size as the 320i and that's a quick and easy 320i mod. I've also got a tuning chip that I'll be putting in this weekend.

Has anyone else Frankensteined their e30 into a 325e/i? I've read that putting a 325i intake manifold drops the compression of the 325e, so no plans for that. I haven't found exactly what the 325e compression is supposed to be, but its way better than my 320i.
Turbo-Brown
Boost Junkie
Posts: 4705
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aldershot, Hants
Contact:

Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:35 am

If it's running at a higher pressure, it's giving more fuel.

If it's only a transient device, what happens when accelerating up a hill or something? Does it give a bit more fuel to start with and then peter out?
325i Twin Turbo (until 10am 01/12/07 :( )

www.air-in.co.uk free M20 exhaust and inlet flange
320Touring
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 12316
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Glasgow (Scotland)

Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:46 am

Lets see...

Dent in hatch panel,

damaged sump-now repaired

2x e46 330i cab topmounts at the rear :cool:

In the next few weeks she's getting a lowering kit, paintwork and some new bushes
The big Unit Parts Clear out Make me an offer on parts!
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 81#2766881
tylerma
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5790
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Dagenham, Essex
Contact:

Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:50 am

MHW smoked rear lights, repeaters and front indicators
and a induction kit for me :twisted:
bimmaman
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 698
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Devon

Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:02 am

diamondblacke28 wrote:how can a power boost valve cause a fire?
if you no share it.

it takes a spark to lite petrol and a fuel leak to create the sourse.

petrol wont lite if spilt on to a manifold.
My mate has a Power boost valve on his 325i sport... It started pissing fuel all over the engine bay yesterday. Now that sounds like a fire hazard to me!

Now he's looking for a standard one...
Image
User avatar
Steviec
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Loughton, Essex

Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:05 am

So far:
Clear front indicators
Clear side indicators
Hella smoked headlights
Half crystal rear lights
Enzo styling steering wheel
Snap off boss for above
Metal dials
Metal dial rings
Carbon fibre dial surround
Scorpion centre exhaust and unknown rear
Lowered 60mm
K&N induction kit with aluminium heat shield
Black and polished rocker cover
12" Fli active sub box
JVC DVD head unit
16" Hartge allloys in need of refurb and centre caps
Superchips chip

Very soon:
New wheels (when I can sort out what spacers I need)
Zender front apron (awaiting bodyshop to paint it)
Zender rear apron (as above)


And I wasnt going to mod this car!
Last edited by Steviec on Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Image
<a><IMG></a>
User avatar
Steviec
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Loughton, Essex

Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:08 am

bimmaman wrote:
diamondblacke28 wrote:how can a power boost valve cause a fire?
if you no share it.

it takes a spark to lite petrol and a fuel leak to create the sourse.

petrol wont lite if spilt on to a manifold.
My mate has a Power boost valve on his 325i sport... It started pissing fuel all over the engine bay yesterday. Now that sounds like a fire hazard to me!

Now he's looking for a standard one...
Ive heard this a few times now, im glad I never got round to putting mine on.
Image
<a><IMG></a>
e30_Turbo
Boost Junkie
Posts: 3158
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: East Anglia

Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:08 am

diamondblacke28 wrote:the fpr doesnt give the car more fuel it just there a lot faster and is squirting with more pressure.
which makes it accelerate a bit quicker
FSE POWER BOOST VALVE wrote:
On acceleration from standstill the Power Boost Valve fuel pressure will increase at 1.7 times the standard rate
So what it's saying is you get 1.7 times more fuel going in than standard, standard is mapped to be spot on, so by adding the extra fuel you're going from rich acel to mega rich acel and on a untuned N/A engine it's overkill. Especially when you consider the amount of e30's that overfuel due to age anyway.

I run my system @ 3bar, no vacum feed and a steady pressure as not too kill my stock pump, the stock items will only run @ 4.5bar for a short time before they start playing up.

Unless you ADD in some more air I can't see why anyone would need to add even more fuel when you consider the same system and injectors run the Alpina and Hartge e30's putting out 40 to 60 bhp more.

HTH, Mark.
Image
Jhonno
Homo Hair
Posts: 20362
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: FLAT, FLAT, FLAT!!
Contact:

Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:32 am

Quasigriz wrote:Has anyone else Frankensteined their e30 into a 325e/i? I've read that putting a 325i intake manifold drops the compression of the 325e, so no plans for that. I haven't found exactly what the 325e compression is supposed to be, but its way better than my 320i.
erm inlet manifold has no correlation with the compression ratio at all, its a great mod for the 320i and 325e

dropping a 325i head on lowers the compression slightly but its still all good with more power, the m20b27 had a higher compression ratio as it was a 'fuel efficient' engine and higher compression = more efficient


on another note, fse boost valve = wank!!
Got cable ties? Get diffin..

Arch roller for hire.

www.zeroexhausts.co.uk

Image
d6dph
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 12435
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Tiptree. Essex

Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:12 am

Jhonno wrote:on another note, fse boost valve = wank!!
:lol:

Couldn't agree more, Just a very clever marketing ploy.


As for my mods, Just some random tat throw at the car really. Can't be arsed to type it all out. :wink:
Image
hogweed
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 272
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Gloucester
Contact:

Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:18 am

If anybodyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s interested, I have a set of the â┚¬Ã…”aGreen Meanieâ┚¬Ã‚a 415 injectors, as fitted to the E36â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s. I bought them to fit to my E30 325, but never got around to it, and now have an M3, so it has them already...

PM if youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re interested, thanks.
Image

E30 custom active sub for sale - PM for details
eun
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1170
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: plymouth
Contact:

Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:34 am

ive coverted my engine from a 1.6 and dropped a 2.5 in it.

also swapped the ripped dated grey cloth for some limited edition grey leather with black piping

sourced the little black splitter at the bottom of front bumper cos mine was missing

sprayed the rear lights all red, painted the rocker cover black and sanded of raised area, black grill, sprayed mirrors black cos they turned grey.

added a tech one steering wheel, added mtech handbrake handle and upgraded the clocks to blue (se) dials with the light up up tech badge when lights are on. thats all i can think of for now

oh and ive also added german pressed plates white front and white rear with the bmw motorsport reg plate holders.

pics below

engine when i first got it
Image

and after with the 2.5 its standard but my first car still so it was a big jump from the 1.6
Image

interior before
Image
Image

and then after with the leather
Image
Image
Image

red rears and white german plate with holder
Image

lots more planned when funds permit :wink:
darlofil
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 81
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: northeast uk

Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:25 pm

hmmm mods ....well being the cheep skate i am .... i got my hands on a cheep 320i and managed to test it for Ԛ£300 all in ,it had 17" fox alloys on it so badly kerbed ,so i wanted wheels the the alternater started to play up so i was looking threw the local adds and found myself an 320se paid 170 quid and drove it home (quickly) it had loads of mods on it and most of the toys mine doesnt ,also came wearing an mtech 2 kit winkeye ,well happy ,so far ive changed the windows to electric ,put a rear blind in, droped the arse end 60mm, fitted an ecotec valve,its got the 325 throtle body ,k&n air filter,ecu chipped,blacked out back side windows ....mods for the future will be obc ,electric sun roof 8O ,fitting the mtech kit,dropping the front end 40mm, i also bought a diesel turbo mainifold and turbo was gonna have a go at fitting that but quite a few zoners recond it wasnt worth the effort....then lastly i wanna get it painted satin black ..........for that satanic look :evil: .........phil
GDBN
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1415
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Copenhagen

Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:03 pm

On my 325i cab from 1986 ....

Front fog lamps replaced from yellow to normal
Clear front indicators
Clear side indicators
BBS 15" shod with Dunlop Sport SP9000 205/55/15's
Smiley headlights
Eyebrows
H&R 60/40 cup kit
Powerflex eccentric wishbone bushes
Strut brace
K&N cone filter
JVC Chameleon head unit
4 new speakers
JVC auto changer in boot
New electric aerial mast
Heated seats installed
6 branch
Supersprint Magnum rear box
ATE power discs - front
Pagid fast road pads
Mtech 1 rear valance
Oil temp gauge and voltmeter installed by handbrake
Mtech 2 steering wheel
Aluminium pedals
Aluminium dial rings
Alarm with microwave sensor (of course)
Colour coded gear/handbrake gaitors
Mtech lit gearstick
Leather handbrake handle
Hardtop

Waiting to be fitted
Mtech 1 front
Standard "lip" boot spoiler
Z3 1.9l short shift

Waiting for delivery
ITG induction kit
BBTB
New ECU with an "ANT" chip
Goodridge brake hoses.
Headlamp wash/wipe system

And of course weatherproofed underbody.

Can't think of anything else.

G
Turbo-Brown
Boost Junkie
Posts: 4705
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aldershot, Hants
Contact:

Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:11 pm

hogweed wrote:If anybodyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s interested, I have a set of the â┚¬Ã…”aGreen Meanieâ┚¬Ã‚a 415 injectors, as fitted to the E36â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s. I bought them to fit to my E30 325, but never got around to it, and now have an M3, so it has them already...

PM if youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢re interested, thanks.
Does the 415 refer to the cc/min rating?

That's SO much bigger than you'd need for an M20!

I'm making 270bhp with 214cc/min and again, just pumping more petrol into the engine will not make more power!
325i Twin Turbo (until 10am 01/12/07 :( )

www.air-in.co.uk free M20 exhaust and inlet flange
Fushion_Julz
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1295
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Blackwater

Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:51 pm

My 325 has a Chipped Uk chip and a Magnex SS exhaust ...nothing else is different to standard except the sound system.

My M3 has:
Matter front strut brace
Faulkner springs
AVO adjustable dampers
Polybushed front lower control arms (Eccentric)
Polybushed rear subframe mountS
Richbrook stainless steel gearknob (to cure nasty rattles)
318ti 2-speed temperature switch for the fan
and a sound system
1987 Henna Rot M3 (was 195bhp CAT..now more and no cat)
2001 E46 330i SE Touring (manual)
Post Reply