Author Topic: my e36 318is few questions and Hi (Read 2492 times)

E36Coupe · « **on:** June 30, 2012, 08:21:05 PM »

Hi, first post on this forum having bought a 1995 e36 318is coupe with the M42 engine.

i saw a mention about a 125mph speed limiter built into ecu's.

i have no idea if this "125mph speed limiter" is supposed to exist on a 1995 e36 m42, but i have been bouncing off my rev limiter in 5th gear regularly showing an indicated 141mph and 137mph on a Sat nav.

i also owned 2 other 318is e36's both m42
one 140k miles, stupidly loud straight through decat, had been abused, burned so much oil would only run on all 4 if i cleaned the plugs up every time i drove it, but suprisingly still fast after the misfire cleared. you know its time to go when it runs on 3, and burns more �� in engine oil than fuel!

had another one for a month, never dared to take it to these speeds as it was a death trap, felt slow also.

current car:

i have had it about 4 months now bought it for �550 expecting problems.
it has been 60mm lowered, M3 front bumper and skirts and the usual M badge lol.
powerflow cat back system, sounded nice but is now splitting at the back box and sounds awful, 17" bbs split rims in need of refurbing,
some K&N style Unbranded cone filter.

225/45/17 front
245/40/17 rear
doesnt rub with 4 people in it

in last few weeks i have fitted new inner and outer tie rods, front wishbone rear bushes, as well as giving it a good service.
all brake lines underneath have been replaced with copper lines,
new gearstick, & linkage bush kit. new handbrake shoes & drums/discs + pads.
the pins and springs had fallen out of the rear shoes and been chewed up, made a lovely noise!

she has a few scrapes and dents along the floor from the road being lowered... nice.

anyway i am starting to like this car, it really seems to pull well compared to others ive driven, it feels like it has no torque down low, and it seems to have a bit of a flat spot when you hit 3000rpm, then pulls upto about 5000rpm, then has another small flat spot, then pulls harder upto the limiter, which i am sure is at 7000rpm. will check tomorrow.
not sure if its due to poor/lean running or ecu remap or what but would like some ideas. on things to look for...

its done 136k miles or more, i say this because the speedo was not working when i bought it (plug wasnt pushed on to sensor in diff fully) for how long i will never know, lets just say the service indicator was on yellow and the oil was disgusting, air filter blocked, fuel filter rotten, etc. probably done well over 140k

i dont know if it has been tinkered with at all but we have a dyno at work and will be having a staff session soon. i look forward to seeing and improving some numbers

am considering doing some weight reduction and mild tuning to get some more fun out of it, not sure if the gf will like the lack of interior and extra noise lol

sorry for long post, i am bored.

keflaman · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2012, 09:43:20 PM »

So am I; read the whole post;0)

DesktopDave · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2012, 08:51:10 AM »

Sounds like you're having fun - that's quite the project you have there. I'd be thinking you definitely have a chip - take a look at the DME & see if it's been opened - I'm pretty sure that vintage can't be externally flashed.

I was very interested in the copper lines you installed. Where did you get them? Is that a common upgrade over the pond? I wasn't aware of the copper alloys that had been developed for auto applications. I found a great page about it over at copper.org. The 90/10 copper/nickel alloy 'cunifer' (?) has some significant advantages and only a cost disadvantage from what I can see. It's also offered commercially as BrakeQuip EziBend.

As a public service announcement, this is not your usual icemaker bendy plumbing line - over-the-counter copper plumbing tube would split in seconds at the 1000psi I'm told brake systems can generate...

E36Coupe · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2012, 10:22:03 AM »

The copper brake line replacement is very common over here, its literally bought in a roll, bent to shape, flared with the correct unions, bolted on, bled up, job done.
its so easy to work with and ive never heard of one bursting.
its not really seen as an upgrade but as replacement for corroded lines, which is very common under the rear of e36's, trust me i brake very hard and never had an issue.

this had all been done by previous owner, i checked my rev limiter last night on the way home and it bounces at 6800rpm

and oh yes im definately having fun