BMW E34 M50-engine (525i)

[Gabz]

Hi guys

Hope you all well! I have an SABS approved BMW E34. As you can imagine...I'm sick of lack of power and road authority. I have nothing to it...I mean absolutely nothing!

I want to make itlook good as well as drive the look. I need affordable ideas please! From rims to turbo!

Many thanks,
Slow beemer driver.

 

[freerider]

I'm moving this, Rennzport specialize in e9X. They dont have stuff for e46, so I sure doubt they will have kit for an e34.

 

[conquest]

i would have plenty of ideas for you... but i wouldnt call any of them "affordable"... (although i suppose it depends on who you ask)

is this car meant to be a daily driver or a weekend toy? i dont think you will be able to modify that engine (n/a) to a point where you will say your car is "fast"... i think it will have to be forced induction or a motor transplant.

considering what i have been driving recently, i say we go find you an M60/62 engine and you let me make you a set of Individual Throttle Bodies for it...

bring it around... i'll talk you into it... :thumbsup:

 

[clutchplate]

the 525i engine can make some SERIOUS horsepower, no use in swopping it at all !

dude, find a good junkyard turbo for cheap, get a cheap second hand intercooler and some plumbing, uni-qchip
and you are halfway there

can you do any welding or machining ?

I believe you can even buy turbo manifolds for the M50, not sure.

can be one sick ass project .. whats your budget bro ?

 

[Raybimmer]

Hi gabz
same motor as E36 325i so Savspeed turbo manifold should work , a few years back there was an Alpine turbo that was fast as well .
Body kit - try look at overseas pics and then check out local shops you may be lucky .Plenty fibreglass kits to modify .
E34 turbo and chip/exhaust should expect 270 or so kw ( 220 at wheels ) , may have to change diff as you would run to about 240 km/h with standard rims and tyres ( going wider and lower profile should not make wheel diameter much different ) .
If your car has 3.91 diff and 0.81 fifth gear then maybe a 3.64 or even 3.15 diff may help to bring revs down.
More power and torque will enable you to run longer gears , cutting cruising speed revs and increasing economy .
Cheers

 

[Gabz]

I'm moving this, Rennzport specialize in e9X. They dont have stuff for e46, so I sure doubt they will have kit for an e34.

Thanks a lot bud for your response.

It's an everyday drive car. I do about 150km per day! You mentioned an m60/m62 engine. By my limited knowledge I believe it's a 540i engine?

Will it fit?? Imagining the size of it.

One more, I want to srop the suspension just a tad. Where in Cape Town can I get lowering springs for the E34? I know Autostyle sells them,by I don't feel comfortable buying on line?

Many thanks,
GABZZZZ

---

Thanks a mil Ray! You are clearly quite knowledgebale and I made a good choice joing the fanatics.

I am new in the Western Cape, so I'm not sure where to go and get some of the stuff. Please share some of the names of workshops that you may know, which can make my E34 better.

Many thanks,
Gabzzz

Hi gabz
same motor as E36 325i so Savspeed turbo manifold should work , a few years back there was an Alpine turbo that was fast as well .
Body kit - try look at overseas pics and then check out local shops you may be lucky .Plenty fibreglass kits to modify .
E34 turbo and chip/exhaust should expect 270 or so kw ( 220 at wheels ) , may have to change diff as you would run to about 240 km/h with standard rims and tyres ( going wider and lower profile should not make wheel diameter much different ) .
If your car has 3.91 diff and 0.81 fifth gear then maybe a 3.64 or even 3.15 diff may help to bring revs down.
More power and torque will enable you to run longer gears , cutting cruising speed revs and increasing economy .
Cheers

 

[conquest]

An M60 is the standard 540i engine and therefore will fit easily in an e34. The engine in your car at the moment can make big hp, agreed. but i'm not sure if these guys are talking about a full forged pistons/rods built engine, or adding a turbo to stock internals. if its a full on build they are referring to it can get pricey very quickly.... not that my suggestion was cheap. i have no idea what an M60 engine in okay condition goes for, but if we can find one we can fit it in there. lots of guys on here will be able to help us with a gearbox/diff combo and i'm sure i can get one of the better managment systems to make it feasible as a daily driver.

if you decide turbo, i can still help with management and tuning and things, it IS the more popular option, but if prices turned out to be the same for both options, i would go for the V8.... and yes, i'm heavily biased right now....

and i wasnt kidding about the ITB's either:shocked:

 

[Major]

More power and torque will require you to run longer gears.

Fixed!

 

[Raybimmer]

Major :- will only be required when hooliganism wears off :excited: , until then optional ( ST eater ):clap: