RE: PH Fleet: BMW 328i (E36)

[Loplop]

urquattro said:

Dale, surely an E34 M5 with 300bhp plus and your suspension mods ex the current car would give you a real monster, may even raise Mum's voice a touch and definitely frighten wayward Lotiiiii out of the way, just a thought.

As much as I love E34's and a 3.8 6 Speed M5 is my all time dream car (I'm realistic.) I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that due to their weight they wouldn't be half the track car an E36 is.

Would sound far far better though.

And look it.

[rossi1]

garypotter said:

pretty 328 sport, is that an M3 badge on the door (sorry small screen) and is that also M3 front bumper with evo lip??

No M3 badge anywhere on this car, Its the original "M" badge on the door strip that came on all 328i sport.
As for the lip spoiler I wouldn't be without.an extra that in manys opinion should have been on all M-tech bumpers not just the M3 Evo`s. This is no way a want to be M3, 328i out and out and that's how i will always keep it.

[motorhole]

Advantage the 328i has over either the M3 or the M3 Evo is a lighter engine. The m52 2.8 is an alloy block whereas both M3's use an iron block. Saves something like 20kg iirc.

The 2.8 engines can be bought quite cheaply, so ripe for a rebuild on the side for a swap-in later. The crank from a 330i M54 can be used to take the M52 out to 3 litres, but not sure what combination of pistons/rods is required. Someone on the E30zone has done this. Why not just fit an M54? Simply because the M52 is simpler and more tuneable. With cams and a programmable ECU, expect upwards of 260bhp and shedloads of torque. Even more with ITBs...

It may also be the case if you fit E36 M3 Evo front wishbones, you get a bit more castor in the front geometry, if you want it.

[Loplop]

motorhole said:

Advantage the 328i has over either the M3 or the M3 Evo is a lighter engine. The m52 2.8 is an alloy block whereas both M3's use an iron block. Saves something like 20kg iirc.

The 2.8 engines can be bought quite cheaply, so ripe for a rebuild on the side for a swap-in later. The crank from a 330i M54 can be used to take the M52 out to 3 litres, but not sure what combination of pistons/rods is required. Someone on the E30zone has done this. Why not just fit an M54? Simply because the M52 is simpler and more tuneable. With cams and a programmable ECU, expect upwards of 260bhp and shedloads of torque. Even more with ITBs...

It may also be the case if you fit E36 M3 Evo front wishbones, you get a bit more castor in the front geometry, if you want it.

You can also get the cross brace from the convertibles that stiffens it up considerably and swapping the standard intake camshaft over to the exhaust side while replacing that with the intake cam from a US Spec M3 will see more power as well

[Output Flange]

motorhole said:

With cams and a programmable ECU, expect upwards of 260bhp and shedloads of torque. Even more with ITBs...

Sorry, but that's not correct.

[motorhole]

Holy grail though, for me, is the Chevy LS and T56 conversion! Engine weighs about 15kg more than an M52, but the weight is further back. And you have an ever dependable 400bhp and 350 lbft under your right foot...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVZ0duq5Bh8

[motorhole]

Output Flange said:

Sorry, but that's not correct.

I've seen a dyno printout for a 3-litre M52 stroker on stock cams and remapped ECU for ~ 250bhp iirc. And 254 lbft. Remember I'm talking about a 3-litre stroker here, not standard 2.8

[Loplop]

motorhole said:

Holy grail though, for me, is the Chevy LS and T56 conversion! Engine weighs about 15kg more than an M52, but the weight is further back. And you have an ever dependable 400bhp and 350 lbft under your right foot...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVZ0duq5Bh8

I'll probably be evicted for this...

But a Japanese garage put an S2000 engine in a 318is. It looked like a right hoot to drive!

[Output Flange]

motorhole said:

I've seen a dyno printout for a 3-litre M52 stroker on stock cams and remapped ECU for ~ 250bhp iirc. And 254 lbft which I definitely remember.

Apologies, didn't realise you meant a stroker lump.

The highest power n/a 2.8 I've seen was Morgan's, which from memory made 261bhp. That had S52 cams, ITBs and shedloads of other stuff as well.

[motorhole]

Output Flange said:

Apologies, didn't realise you meant a stroker lump.

The highest power n/a 2.8 I've seen was Morgan's, which from memory made 261bhp. That had S52 cams, ITBs and shedloads of other stuff as well.

That must've been a bit of a weapon!

[Loplop]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCo00asduEQ

Mwahahahaha

[motorhole]

Ah yes, have seen that before Reckon the F20C is better suited to an E30 though. I'd imagine you could get a tidy E30 and do the swap for less than it would cost for a tidy E30 M3 and get that running 100%. If you did the work yourself.

[vsonix]

motorhole said:

Holy grail though, for me, is the Chevy LS and T56 conversion! Engine weighs about 15kg more than an M52, but the weight is further back. And you have an ever dependable 400bhp and 350 lbft under your right foot...

There's a chap who comes to a lot of meets locally who has done exactly this - in fact I had to do a double take as this pic looks very familiar, the car appears to be the same blue - but I don't think it is the same as the induction kit appears to be on the other side on this one.

[g3org3y]

Maldini35 said:

It seems E36's are finally being appreciated.
Accessible, reliable, practical, manual & RWD. Not many new cars offer this spec.
'You don't know what you've got until it's gone'

At current prices you'll struggle to go faster for the money.
Here's hoping they continue to rise in popularity and value. (Just bought an E36 race car);)

On my third at the mo. (Won't bother with pics)

So much car for so little money. It's just finding decent ones that is the problem. Tourings worth a look imo as they've often had an easier (non modified/barried/thrashed) life plus they look great too.

Ok, one pic then


Regarding the M50 inlet manifold and BBTB mod - is it still Alpina527 who supplies the latter or are they available elsewhere?

[BullyB]

Just got some HSD's on mine. I can't compare but it seems very good value.

[Dale Lomas]

I'm feeling the E36 love on this thread!

Next job, dyno it standard. Add 325i manifold and maybe an open filter, dyno again, then chip and final dyno.

I love the V8 power above, but if I ever did something silly I'd love to make a Megasquirt and Chinese turbo combination again. Easy 300bhp with craploads of torque I reckon.

[ADM06]

The 328 engine is not the one to turbo charge, but the sky is pretty much the limit with the iron engines, if you have the money. Four figures anyone?

[rossi1]

The 325i lump is the one to turbo, The M52 328i lump wont handle it at all.

[Output Flange]

rossi1 said:

The 325i lump is the one to turbo, The M52 328i lump wont handle it at all.

It will if you don't go crazy with it. But then you'd be better off with an S50.

[anonymous-user]

How robust are 328's in general, not long ago all I heard about them were head gasket issues? Also is there a big difference between E36/46 as the later cars are cropping up fairly cheaply.