E30 Performance Upgrades?

[bmwperformance]

All,

What basic performance upgrades can be done to an E30 (325IC) to boost the HP?
What kind of performance improvements give more bang for the buck? How much
money/how much HP improvement?

I'm thinking about selling my 98 528i and getting a 1990-92 325IC and upgrading
the performance. What do you think? Would you prefer to have a newer 528i or
the older E30 convertible?

Thanks!

 

[chucko]

I do like the style of the E39 but I'm not sure about the power of the 2.8l engine. I know people that have the 525i and say it's underpowered. If you had a 525 I'd say yeah for sure you'd get better power from the 325i. I love the E30 and there's alot you can do to improve its looks and performance. Probably the best looking E30 is the 1992 325ic M-TECHNIC edition. Absolute sex on wheels!

 

[junglestylz]

if you go 325I/IS you can use the conforti chip and the conforti cold air intake to gain right around 20hp. Depending on what kind of exhaust you get, if you can open it up while keeping the backpressure, you can squeeze another 7.5-10hp. Unless you can find one with very low miles, I would stay away from forced air induction and nitrous. If you do want to go forced air, get a supercharger instead of turbo.