Z3 1.9 Tuning

[Rocketbike]

I have a 98 Z3 1.9 which I brought two years ago with 53,000 on, and is now at 77,000 and I'm very happy with it generally, especially as cosmetically its now exactly how I want it, and it's been 100% reliable. It suits me just fine in just about every way, except it does just lack that instant urge to overtake at 55-65 mph on a country road when you want to nip by something and theres not too much room. It has a stainless exhaust on which sounds great, and now a K&N fitted by me, and I'm happpy to spend £2-300 getting it chipped etc. if that would just fill the gap. - but have no idea if they work/really do what they say, or what other tuning options there are. I don't want to spend money and spoil the driveability/reliability of the car, so any thoughts, contacts or recommendations for getting a bit more urge (or not bothering!) would be really welcome. I know I could change the car, but I really don't want to do that as I really like the car I have
Thanks

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome @Rocketbike,

Plenty of 1.9 owners here who will tell you how to get the best from yours. I've added you to the @[USERGROUP=12]M44 Massive[/USERGROUP] group on here, and I'm sure someone will be along soon...

Gary

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

See if you can put it on a rolling road and have it mapped, This will give you a before and after result and might show up any other problems the car might have. Expect a 4 or 5 BHP increase in Power but up to 10% increase in torque which will help with the overtaking..

Mike

 

[oldcarman]

Hi, while we're looking at remapping are the cheaper add on chips up to the advertised claims. I've bought one off ebay for£10.67 that plug onto the engine and doesn't alter the ECM. Is anyone using this type, there's several sellers with different claims? Then, how about connverting the rear drive ratio to fit the power curve. There seems to be a bunch of different ratios available fairly cheap used. Anyone gone this route? JIM

 

[zedonist]

Hi Jim, these type are normally just a resistor in a box, it fools the engine into thinking the incoming air is colder than it actually is, then the ECU provides more fuel, so while this might be good at the top end of the speed range, in normal driving it will cause sooting of the plugs and at worse damage to the CAT as the fuel / air ratio is wrong and the engine runs too rich. the only true way is to get the ecu remapped so that the fuel / air ratio throughout the rev range is maintained to ensure the correct lean burn while providing extra of both to increase power and torque.

The link below is the best i have seen on the M44 engine for tuning tips, and discusses all the benefits if any, from basic mods through to Forced Induction, its important to note that the cylinder head on the M44 is very well developed and there is little to be gained through porting and polishing which makes FI the only way to get large gains, that said a Cold Air Intake & Stainless exhaust with remap should get you a 15BHP increase on a well serviced car:

http://www.bmwforums.info/bmw-tunin...formance-upgrades-4-cylinder-m4x-engines.html

 

[oldcarman]

Zedonist, thanks, just got through reading the info you suggested. Lots to think about there for sure. JIM

 

[stuart kitt]

hi i have also put on a KXN and stainless strait threw but not really found any big gains,i asked at my local bhp specialist garage and he said £250 only gets me 10 bhp gain???

 

[zedonist]

hi i have also put on a KXN and stainless strait threw but not really found any big gains,i asked at my local bhp specialist garage and he said £250 only gets me 10 bhp gain???

That will be a generic map for tuning a standard car, obviously there may be more gain with the mods made but at most 5 BHP more than the generic, you have to remember these cars have no turbo so you can't force air in, you can only ensure that it can it's maximum amount from your mods and ensure that it exits quicker. The M44 is already quite highly tuned from the factory, but will have been held back a bit based on emissions testing. It is the tweaks to these areas of the map that gets you the gain, all be it small.

 

[stuart kitt]

That will be a generic map for tuning a standard car, obviously there may be more gain with the mods made but at most 5 BHP more than the generic, you have to remember these cars have no turbo so you can't force air in, you can only ensure that it can it's maximum amount from your mods and ensure that it exits quicker. The M44 is already quite highly tuned from the factory, but will have been held back a bit based on emissions testing. It is the tweaks to these areas of the map that gets you the gain, all be it small.

yeah still a joy to drive!!

 

[stuart kitt]

yeah still a joy to drive!!

got the hoops on ,bonded and screwed,look good very good value for£64

 

[zedonist]

got the hoops on ,bonded and screwed,look good very good value for£64

Pictures please

 

[stuart kitt]

got the hoops on ,bonded and screwed,look good very good value for£64

when i get time i will post some

 

[z3cade]

Unless you go super charger route then I wouldn't bother doing anything. You just be waisting your money.

 

[oldcarman]

Translation please!! Boot= trunk, hood= soft top, bonnet=hood = English is English the whole world round!! Hoops=. ??
Anyone running NOS?

 

[zedonist]

Unless you go super charger route then I wouldn't bother doing anything. You just be waisting your money.

I would tend to agree Liam, but you also have the option of single mass flywheel and rear diff settings which can reduce your 0-60 times without adding BHP, that coupled with 15 extra ponies from a remap would make a nice driving M44 without the need for a windy, watch this space for results quite soon in the future.............

 

[GazHyde]

Hoops=. .??

Roll over hoops behind the seats. Stops your head rubbing along the pavement when driving the wrong side up

 

[oldcarman]

Gotcha, was the second and third purchase I made along with two wind deflectors, and the smaller storage lid. First set installed kindly by my seller and I'm looking to put the complete set up with seat belt, storage, etc in the jump seat area of my 58 Benz 190sl I like the look so much. Anyone getting rid of those bits and pieces? Jim

 

[zedonist]

Few sets on uk ebay Jim

 

[oldcarman]

Thanks, I've been watching those. Seem pretty steep for a retired pensioner especially when I tag on shipping. Unfortunately there isn't enough room to put them in the boot so they wouldn't cost me any more. That's why I've been buying up the small items that I find on ebay. The hardtop is the best scoop of all though and even after paying to have it delivered saves me at least £5-600 compared to NA prices. Jim

 

[zedonist]

How about swapping them out fore shipping?