E36 328i "easy" mods

[Captain_Stealth]

Here's my planned mods list:
1) 3.15 diff from the e36 325i. I hope I can get an LSD.
3.15 diff is perfect, a lot of guys go a shorter ratio and fit a 6 speed box but I found the 3.15 ratio to be perfect for daily and spirited drives. You can go one step further and fit a lightened flywheel which paired with the 3.15 diff allows the car to rev freely. Slight loss of lower end torque with the lighter flywheel but with a 3.15 diff you won’t really feel it.

2) Intake manifold from the M50 engine.
Yes good idea, if you do some reading on the M50 manifold swap you will also read about the car being stronger up top and a little loss of power on the mid to lower end however if tuned properly you can negate that.

3) CIA system which I'll buy on eBay.
Having tried various CAI systems on the E36 you are better off with a stock airbox or you can go with the BMC Carbon dynamics cold air intake which is more expensive than your regular cone filter nonsense but actually flows nicely and can duct in cold air to the intake system.

4) To top it off, I'll be running the car on a Dicktator 60-2.
Crappy idea you endup with cold start issues and rough idle and a whole lot of other crap. The stock ECU is more than competent to handle the above mods, if you want to tune for the above mods your best bet is to go with a Unichip to maximize gains and efficiency and will allow you to gain back some of the power lost in the lower to midrange from the M50 manifold, this should however been done last.

Over and above whats mentioned:

Headers:
Look into getting a good set of headers the stock non M headers on an E36 are absolutely shit, if you can get a set of E36 M3 headers that’s a win, if not no big deal viper make a good quality set which you can bolt into the stock exhaust.

Exhaust:
Stock system isn’t that great either, the E36 M3 system sounds good and also aids a bit in power but they are really heavy. Alternative option to the M3 exhaust is to get a good quality stainless steel setup. Dual pipe front to back with an X pipe.

Vanos:
Look at refreshing the Vanos seals before all of the above, the seals will definitely be shot and it will restore quite a bit of lost power.

Cams: vanderlinde make a great set of regrind cams and will change the car completely.

Order that I would recommend doing the mods after doing vanos seals:

1) Diff and flywheel
2) M50 manifold
3) Headers
4) Exhaust
5) Proper CAI
6) Cams
7) Unichip

In terms of you vehicle being reliable you will maintain that with all of the above :thumbs:

1) I thought of the lightened flywheel some time back but when I read up on it, it reduced torque, but increased feedback and acceleration so I scratched it from the list because my mind wasn't made up about it yet. Maybe at a later stage of the project, along with gas flowing.

Straight to #3
How about a heat-shielded stock airbox...?

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Hi all

I'm new here and I'm excited about finally being here.
I'm going to acquire an e36 328i soon and I'm planning to do a few mods.
Here's my planned mods list:
1) 3.15 diff from the e36 325i. I hope I can get an LSD.
2) Intake manifold from the M50 engine.
3) CIA system which I'll buy on eBay.
I know I'll lose some top end speed but I plan to cater for that with a 6 speed gearbox from an e90 3 series or e87 1 series.
4) To top it off, I'll be running the car on a Dicktator 60-2.

Now, the problem is, this makes sense ONLY IN MY MIND.

Can you guys assist with regards as to whether this might work or should it just stay in my mind?
It's planned to be an exciting daily driver.

Thanks.

honestly I would start with a nice suspension overall. RTAB's, LCAB's, balljoints Springs, quality dampers or some coilovers...E36's are old and even nicest maintained ones often needs new bushes at least. Makes a hell of a difference as far as "exciting" daily driver goes. Next would be to refresh and improve the gear linkages...z3 short shifter, new bushes etc...followed by a nice exhaust system, 3.46 LSD,

add the rest when you get bored...m50 intake, branches, uniQ or whatever method of mapping /tuning you choose

will be a nice, solid, fun 6 pot car:thumbs:

I'm planning to slap on some entry-level coilovers, namely: JOM Blueline. I'll probably upgrade sometime next year. With regards to bushes and all the other suspension bits, I'm still looking for a place that'll offer me a kit. If not a kit, they should at least have all the bits I'll need there.
Gear links, clutch and shortshift will be done when I have sourced all the necessary parts. I'll be using a short-shifter from the net soooo... Ja. I hope it'll achieve great results. Exhaust system, sorted. Diff, I'll be using a 3.15 LSD.

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If this was me I would do the following

Catch can setup
Aluminum Radiator
Aluminum Thermo Housing
Flush the radiator till its right (check out chrisfix on youtube)
88 degree Thermostat
88 degree fanswitch
Check the condition of your water hoses especially the ones connected to your heater valve and the one at the back of the motor
M3 3l diff or a 3.46 lsd using E30 lsd
Non m z3 steering rack
M50 intake
M3 branches
Front strut brace
Freeflow exhaust
CAMS
X brace from a convertible
Powerflex rear trailing arm front bush
Powerflex front diff bush
Boxed Cone filter setup with some kind of an induction pipe to it
New balljoints on the front suspension
330i Front disks and calipers
Pump out all the old brake fluid
New steering rack and rod ends
front arm bush try look for meyle hd or bmw m3
Check the condition of propshaft guibo and center bearing
Ebay Shortshifter
ZHP Gear Knob
Put washes between your front shock and knuckle for extra camber not too much or you gonna have bad tyre wear
Some kind of lowering kit
Some kind of management to get rid of those sensors (cam, airflow, etc)
I would inspect the condition of the hydrolic lifters and the vanos

Later on I would consider
Cheap DIY supercharger setup
Gasflowing the head
Swaybars
Dual balljoint on the rear or the rear trailing arm
Coilovers with adjustable camber plates
replace all the bushes

Hope this helps

Thanks man. It helps, as I was about to ask about using 330i brakes. Are they a straight fit with no modifications needed and, from E46 or E90?

I will get aluminum radiator at a later stage. Where can I get the aluminum thermostat housing?
With the 88 deg switch, can't I go lower? I've heard of others using a Peugeot switch that's 70 deg if I'm not mistaken but I've never seen a recommendation of such anywhere else. I'd like to go lower in temperature.

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You would need e46 330i breaks. They a straight swap and are actually bigger than M3 ones

The thermostat housing can be purchased from Goldwagen

As for the Thermo switch. The stock ones are 92 degrees. I would go with all oem spec parts


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[Nürburgring'R_ZA]

So in my local travels trying to source whichever parts I can, I came across this. As I moved closer to the M3, I realised it wasn't tyre paint but instead, "rubberized tyre stickers" as I was told. For the vision I have, they'd be well-suited, of course with the correct "///M". Where can I get these stickers done?

 

[BeemerFanatic]

Tyre lettering!

 

[Nürburgring'R_ZA]

Tyre lettering!

Thanks for the correct terminology:thumbs:

 

[444YYY]

So in my local travels trying to source whichever parts I can, I came across this. As I moved closer to the M3, I realised it wasn't tyre paint but instead, "rubberized tyre stickers" as I was told. For the vision I have, they'd be well-suited, of course with the correct "///M". Where can I get these stickers done?

My honest opinion. Don’t do it. It looks crappy!

 

[Ashwin]

First thing I would do if I were you was nothing for 3-6 months. First get car, drive it and catch up completely on all the maintenance. Everything from the cooling system to the suspension to the brakes, etc, etc.

Once you know the car is 100% sorted, then start with a mod list. You also have a good base for comparison when you do start modding. For example, you might decide that you want to get a decent aftermarket suspension first as you enjoy the car most on the bends.

Nothing worse than planning mods and neglecting basic maintenance. Not saying you're guilty but it's too easy to fall into the trap of modding without starting with the basics, especially on an older car.

It's probably not the advise you want to hear, but just my R0.02...

Hi
I have a e36 328I myself. I agree with doing the maintenance work first then start the mods. I have done it myself.

Rgds

 

[Allesandro]

Sorry for high-jacking the thread.:fencelook:
I'm also in the process of buying a e36 328i Motorsport. (1998 Model).

Is there someone on the forum (based in Gauteng) who can do a proper check on all the standard the stuff mentioned above, i.e cooling system, suspension, vanos seals, etc.
Ideally I would like such a person to also carry out the maintenance work if required, including advising on and sourcing the relevant parts.


Any help would be apprecated. Thank you.

 

[KPM3_30]

Sorry for high-jacking the thread.:fencelook:
I'm also in the process of buying a e36 328i Motorsport. (1998 Model).

Is there someone on the forum (based in Gauteng) who can do a proper check on all the standard the stuff mentioned above, i.e cooling system, suspension, vanos seals, etc.
Ideally I would like such a person to also carry out the maintenance work if required, including advising on and sourcing the relevant parts.


Any help would be apprecated. Thank you.

Drop me a PM - Have someone that would be able to assist and has a solid understanding around older BMW models.

 

[Allesandro]

Sorry for high-jacking the thread.:fencelook:
I'm also in the process of buying a e36 328i Motorsport. (1998 Model).

Is there someone on the forum (based in Gauteng) who can do a proper check on all the standard the stuff mentioned above, i.e cooling system, suspension, vanos seals, etc.
Ideally I would like such a person to also carry out the maintenance work if required, including advising on and sourcing the relevant parts.


Any help would be apprecated. Thank you.

Drop me a PM - Have someone that would be able to assist and has a solid understanding around older BMW models.

PM sent.

 

[Nürburgring'R_ZA]

I hope this is not a contender for the worst thread ever:blueCry: but hey! Anyway, the project stopped for a while due to what I'd like to call "life" but in the mean time, I've been collecting and stacking up parts in hopes of putting them all together at the right time.

Now, onto my question. I recently had change the starter motor. For maintenance and preventative measures, I want to redo the whole engine (new rings, seals, gaskets etc.). I'll have to do the vanos as well. What do I need for this and where can I source everything?

Help will be much appreciated:thumbs:

 

[Nikhil]

I have the following parts available

OEM parts are used:

OEM coils
OEM radiator
OEM Expansion tank
M50 intake manifold + Injector rail + Throttle body
OEM coolant pipes
OEM water pump
OEM AC compressor
OEM AC condenser + Pipes + Radiator
OEM viscous fan + Clutch
OEM MAF
OEM Airbox
OEM intake boot
M50 vanos intake and exhaust cams
OEM M50 pistons
OEM M50 135mm Conrods
Idle control valve
M50 2.5 crank
M50 valves 24
M50 valve springs 24
M50 vanos unit
M50 Oil pump
M50 6 cylinder sump
M50 timing chain
M50 Clutch and Flywheel
M50 oil filter housing
M50 vanos Tappet cover
E36 6 cylinder headers
E36 6 cylinder freeflow exhaust

New parts

Aluminum Radiator
19 Row oil cooler
HEPU water pump metal impeller
Bosch 750cc injectors
Aluminium Intercooler
325/328i 135mm Molnar performance fordged Conrods
Victor reins gasket kit - all gaskets from the headgasket upwards

 

[chik]

Nik

Please PM me with regards to this list, im sorry for the hijack.........
i can seem to PM keeps giving BBwarnings :dunnoanymore:

 

[Nikhil]

Dropped you a message :thumbs:

 

[Nürburgring'R_ZA]

Happy Sunday all. It's my second attempt at a project (the first being an E30 that failed) so I don't quite have "the right way to do it" yet so maybe my third project will work out just fine:smilebounce:

I had a to-do list. Yup... HAD ONE! To cut the story short, I sort of messed up the order of doing things, and here's an update of that mess in the form of pictures.

Thanks to some awesome guys, I was able to the parts (mostly new).
I resprayed all that needed to be black. Bought and installed a new cooling system. Sourced an M50 intake. Sourced E46 330i front brakes. A new gasket set (shout out to a member :thumbs: bought some other new bits as well from GT Concepts and JCT Auto Parts.

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Got a tow truck to tow it to the paints guy for a respray and correction of some body panels. I really don't know what to expect from this:fencelook: It should at least look half decent.

It's a nervy ride and I'm anxious to see the end result. I'm not expecting miracles though, as I got the car not in such a good state. I'll surely share pics of the final product.

After the paint job, it'll be the engine and the rest of the mechanics that'll be up for an overhaul and/or modifications, which the process might mess the newly done paint work:dunnoanymore::dunnoanymore:

I can't wait for the third project, which I will hopefully do properly.