Best 1st Upgrades

[Lorenzo]

Hey guys! I could use some advice on doing some tweaks on my '96 e36 328i 5spd with 100k miles...it is currently all stock.

I'd like to get a bit more power out of the engine...a bit more pull would be nice...maybe an intake? I've heard the software updates don't get you that much for the price.?.

More so, I'd like to significantly improve the handling without killing my ride. Maybe some new Bilstein HD shocks, sway bars, & 17" rims/tires?

Would love to hear any advice or personal experiences on a project like this!

Thanks!

 

[frolf]

Hello, welcome to bmwboard.

for power, intake and chip are the best bet. only thing is that bmw motors come out of the box pretty well wound up, so you won't get much no matter what you do (short of obd1 or cams)

for handling a set of shocks and springs will certianly stiffen things up, but even just strut bars will stiffen you up through the corners. sway bars w/ shocks/springs will give your car a very taut ride, not sure you want something that firm.

good luck

 

[kerph32]

Believe it or not, just the added grip of the Toyo's that i have on my 17" Contours has made the handling of mine much more enjoyable... a pretty expensive upgrade but one that looks as good as it performs.

 

[wood_e]

Before you do anything engine wise make SURE your engine is in top running condition, and all your service is up to date. This is a large folly I see many owners of all types of cars do, and then they wonder why a stock version of their car handed them their ass...

Just a thought....

 

[ra328i]

if you're lookin for shocks, go to shox.com. i just got my new set of bilstein touring shocks for 335 shipped!!! that's almost 100 bucks cheaper than bavauto.com. hd's are 20 bucks less before shipping and taxes at shox.com also. damn good prices there.

 

[Lorenzo]

wood_e ... good thought regarding maintenance. I am due for an inspection 1 and need to have the water pump/plastic impellar replaced.

frolf ... You may be right about my not wanting it to be too taught. I just want to be able to blaze through some of the country twisties we have out here without having a crappy ride when I need to cruise the interstate. Right now the suspension is just too soft...even oscillating enough to bottom out on some speed bumps...bummage. Would the Bilstein Sports/H&R Springs Set be too rough or would I be better of with the Bilstein HDs with my stock springs?

Do sway bars tighten it up or just reduce body roll?

kerph32 ... Yeah, I really want to pick up some 17x7.5 Contours. My stock 15" with all season Michelins are probably a significant performance liability.

Is there a significant difference between OEM Contours and the Replicas for a non-track driver like me other than the cool M?

I've found the following on the net...
TMS Conforti Intake $350 (TMS)
Bilstein HDs $360 (BMP)
Rear Shock Mounts $100 (BMP)
RD Front/Rear Strut Bars $404 (Bavauto)
TMS Sway Bar Set $370 (TMS)

Would this set me up pretty well for handling and practical engine improvement?

Thanks guys!

 

[chief]

The best upgrade to my '96 328i were the Bilstein shocks and the shock tower braces [front and rear].

For speed, i ordered the supercharger kit from RMS Racing. Web-Site: http://www.racemarque.com/rms_bmw/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4&mode=&order=0&thold=0

I initially installed NOS [from Summit Racing] and achieved 0-60 in 4 seconds at the track, both in manual shift and auto, made no difference. But then i am not a pro either.

Put some 18' Hamann PG II style wheels on it, M3 rear deck wing, front air splitters and am currently installing Brembo Grand Tourismo brake systems front and rear. The front required a 20mm spacer behind the wheel rim, the rear requires a bit more modification. Actually, quite a lot. Such as using a Drummel to cut the dust cover, new carrier bolts (2") plus a 1" pipe spacer sleeve.

Looking forward to going to Kennedale track by the middle of February 04.

Cheers,
Bill Gault
Fort Worth, TX

 

[nadroj]

chief is you bimmer an auto

 

[Lorenzo]

Chief, your car looks awesome. You say that the Bilsteins and strut braces made the most improvement in handling. What Bilsteins did you put in? Did you also do springs?

 

[frolf]

NOS? nitrous? N2O?


ewwwww. don't do that.

 

[wood_e]

NOS is like a hot chick with STDs. You want to hit it, but you're afraid of the consequences.....

 

[Lorenzo]

Not to worry...I have no interest in nitrous...I'd like my 328 to go another 100k!

 

[chief]

nadroj: My 328i has the option of tripping either manual or auto.

Lorenzo: Obtained and installed the sport Bilstiens. No changes to the Springs. Honestly, I bought the car used, and donot know what the previous lease owners did to the car. The strut tower braces made the 328i into a slot car either with 60x15 Kumho's or with the 18 x40x225's kumhos, however the later do much better than the 15inchers. Dina totes a $17,000 conversion that gets positive comments only about the handling resulting from strut tower braces. My cost less than $325.00.

 

[m50POWER]

The best upgrade to my '96 328i were the Bilstein shocks and the shock tower braces [front and rear].

For speed, i ordered the supercharger kit from RMS Racing. Web-Site: http://www.racemarque.com/rms_bmw/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4&mode=&order=0&thold=0

I initially installed NOS [from Summit Racing] and achieved 0-60 in 4 seconds at the track, both in manual shift and auto, made no difference. But then i am not a pro either.

Put some 18' Hamann PG II style wheels on it, M3 rear deck wing, front air splitters and am currently installing Brembo Grand Tourismo brake systems front and rear. The front required a 20mm spacer behind the wheel rim, the rear requires a bit more modification. Actually, quite a lot. Such as using a Drummel to cut the dust cover, new carrier bolts (2") plus a 1" pipe spacer sleeve.

Looking forward to going to Kennedale track by the middle of February 04.

Cheers,
Bill Gault
Fort Worth, TX

Just curious... . what was your quarter mile time with N2O -- since most dont have the balls to get nitrous for their Bimmer?
Thanks.

 

[chief]

My best 1/4 was 14.3 sec. Now, mind you, i was running in manual. Pushing the stick from stick to the next gear at 6500rpm. My problem was that it was the first time ever at a race track. [I'm 56]. And, i blew thru 3rd into 4th and lost power. Believe me, i have learned via my mistakes. The next time, i will have a t-block to stop the stick from continuing forward too far.
My intention is to get this bemmer down to a 12 sec. 1/4 mile,thus the Supercharger. [headbang]

For those of you who want to ask-- what next- my answer is "i don't know".

My fun is building this rig. Maybe embarrass a few people. But, really i just like to tinker with this kind of stuff.

Keep the faith,
Bill