M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Swaps, Turbos, Buildups => Topic started by: richmc on April 30, 2009, 09:19:33 PM

Title: 400 horse m42?
Post by: richmc on April 30, 2009, 09:19:33 PM
im a noob to bmw,just got a 91 318is,been doing alot of research on here learned alot but still havent found the answer i am lookin for.would like to get out 350-400whp out of my m42.has it been done,if so could u point me in the right direction,or could you give me a idea of what parts i would need to get there.from what i have read this should be doable.
Title: 400 horse m42?
Post by: Danny707 on April 30, 2009, 10:59:02 PM
First, learn to use the space bar between punctuation.
Title: 400 horse m42?
Post by: rob_e30 on April 30, 2009, 11:21:44 PM
In addition to the good advice offered above, you need to define where you want the 400HP (wheels or crank) and there is a big difference between 350 and 400.  HP and speed falls under the laws of diminishing returns:  the first extra 100 HP is a lot cheaper than the next 100 HP, which is a bargin compared to the 100 HP after that.  

How do you expect to use the power, how reliable do you want it to be, and how deep are your pockets?  Remember the rule:  Cheap, Fast, Reliable... pick any two.

What else are you prepared to do to make the car handle that kind of power?  Unless you are planning and budgeting major upgrades to the suspension, drive line, tires, and brakes you'll never put the power down.

Is this (by any chance) your first car?
Title: 400 horse m42?
Post by: richmc on May 01, 2009, 04:45:02 PM
Hey Danny707 thanks for the advice, not to sure how that helps me but thanks anyway.

Rob as for ur questions, no this is not my first car nor is it my daily driver, with that being said. first i want it at the wheels. second i plan on using this as a show/street car, as for the susp. it has eibach springs and bilstein sport shocks now.will brace it as needed. I'm just doin my research right now learning what combinations work, and also to see if this has been done. As for the reliability issue its not my everyday ride just a nice day ride and when it goes out on the town. Would like to do it with like the m47 crank and s52 pistons, keep as much of the internals BMW as possible, and possibly a garrett  turbo.