$600 to throw down
- Thread starter equate
- Start date
hey equate, im in the same predicament. I've been looking at suspensions and i found one off of BMP Design, for $589.95......its new springs/shocks. They would lower the car 1.3 inches, front/back, so better turning and "spirited driving"......that is probably going to be my choice.
glad you had to read my blabber![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
glad you had to read my blabber
Spending on a car depends on how your going to drive it. I've just discovered how much a chip helps, but this depends on the car. I've read where later model's don't get as much horsepower increase as older cars. My two cents would be suspension & tires.
1) Offset lower control arm bushings. More positive castor.
2) Urethane swaybar bushings or heims end swaybars. Makes the bar work harder.
3) Best shocks you can afford.
4) Urethane rear control arm bushings.
5) Stress bars front & back
Springs to lower the car, that's a tough one. Friends tell me not to because of the stiff ride. I drive across state sometimes, sometimes pulling a trailer with my bike on it. Hope I'm not the only one that pulls a trailer with my BMW..... As the car is now, loaded down, it sets about level. Small pickups don't do as well on fuel as this car does. Maybe if I stopped using the car the way I have been, I'd go for the lower springs.
1) Offset lower control arm bushings. More positive castor.
2) Urethane swaybar bushings or heims end swaybars. Makes the bar work harder.
3) Best shocks you can afford.
4) Urethane rear control arm bushings.
5) Stress bars front & back
Springs to lower the car, that's a tough one. Friends tell me not to because of the stiff ride. I drive across state sometimes, sometimes pulling a trailer with my bike on it. Hope I'm not the only one that pulls a trailer with my BMW..... As the car is now, loaded down, it sets about level. Small pickups don't do as well on fuel as this car does. Maybe if I stopped using the car the way I have been, I'd go for the lower springs.
You dont have to lower that much to improve the handling, actually you dont have to lower at all.
For dragstrip help start with a Jim Conforti Chip from Turner Motorsport and a lower ratio diff.
Also it would be a HUGE help if you changed your sig form "I have a BMW" to something that might tell us what BMW you have. I could tell you to get a 4.10 diff from a M3 or a 4.27open from a 318ic but that would suck balls in a 325e.
For dragstrip help start with a Jim Conforti Chip from Turner Motorsport and a lower ratio diff.
Also it would be a HUGE help if you changed your sig form "I have a BMW" to something that might tell us what BMW you have. I could tell you to get a 4.10 diff from a M3 or a 4.27open from a 318ic but that would suck balls in a 325e.
Heh, yeah when the forum changed over my sig got deleted, I was still getting around to chaning it, anyways, Ive looked at a 4:10 diff before and there not easy to come by, I see BMP is like $1200 for one, and ebay is fruitless. Anyone have one or know where I can buy one? I think then I will wait for another conforti chip to pop up on ebay, A while back I saw some go for as low at $40, I wish i would have bought one. Is there any way to tighten the steering? I feel like im driving a bus at times, I hop in my friend ford ****us and the steerintg is way tighter and nicer. Gah, then again I really want a mtech kit and my car repainted.. rims.. decisions decisions.....
And i suppose no one wants to copy a conforti chip to a blank eeprom for me eh?
And i suppose no one wants to copy a conforti chip to a blank eeprom for me eh?
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I would not touch a so called burnt Conforti Chip. According to Jim they are setup so you cant get a complete copy from any chip after like 1996 because of some sort of write protection. More than likely its one of those AutoThority chips. On 325i(s) I have heard it doesnt make a huge difference which chip you go with because the timing is already advanced on your engines enough, although for some reason Jim still gets all the respect.
Junk yards man, or scour e30sport.net, roadfly.com, or bmwe30.net. I found my 3.25ls from a 535is owner on roadfly.
The tie rod ends could be worn or the steering knuckle. Both can cause play in the steering, although I would think that the tie rods would cause vibration too.
No diving boards, my body is Euro spec.
Junk yards man, or scour e30sport.net, roadfly.com, or bmwe30.net. I found my 3.25ls from a 535is owner on roadfly.
The tie rod ends could be worn or the steering knuckle. Both can cause play in the steering, although I would think that the tie rods would cause vibration too.
No diving boards, my body is Euro spec.
If you do find a used Conforti chip make sure it matches your ECU. There different ECUs. I don't know about the earlier chips but the one for my '89 also came with an encryptor board besides the chip. Besides they are cheap now, only $199 from Turner and warranteed for life. I would liken the difference in normal driving with or without the chip to driving with the ac on versus off with a stock chip. If you change out the suspension, upgrade the rear shock mounts. You can upgrade to E36 conv mounts, E46 mounts, or billet mounts. The E36s will set you back about $50 for the pair from the dealer w/20% discount or try an aftermarket supplier. I just replaced the E30 conv mounts in my 325i after 6 mo and 7K miles. The rear mounts are a weak spot in the suspension.
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e28 5 series yes.
Raise the front end of the car and try and wiggle the wheel while looking at where the little tiny ball joints mount to the strut. If the ball joints flex they are toast, if the whole rack moves back and forth (i.e. tie rods on both ends and other wheel) then its probably the knuckle or the rack itself.
Raise the front end of the car and try and wiggle the wheel while looking at where the little tiny ball joints mount to the strut. If the ball joints flex they are toast, if the whole rack moves back and forth (i.e. tie rods on both ends and other wheel) then its probably the knuckle or the rack itself.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=33731&item=2434951520
I've been looking for a diff. but i dont think ill buy this one. Thought id help out if were looking for one.
I've been looking for a diff. but i dont think ill buy this one. Thought id help out if were looking for one.
should. I hear the conforti helps on the 325i cars just fine, its just been debateable what is the best chip since most only get you a few HP. The big deal is on the 325e, there is no other chip to use. As for the 325i debate the low cost of the conforti chip helps hedge the bets.
turnermotorsport.com is the official source for Conforti products.
Id think the diff will help a good deal, just make sure you dont go too low so you have to shift all the time. The intake wont gain you any HP but sounds freakin awesome.
also, here is the m coupe diff cover:
turnermotorsport.com is the official source for Conforti products.
Id think the diff will help a good deal, just make sure you dont go too low so you have to shift all the time. The intake wont gain you any HP but sounds freakin awesome.
also, here is the m coupe diff cover:
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