All motor m42 dd

[steezii]

I want more power, but I don't plan on dumping cash into this engine with a supercharger or turbo build.

The goal - To reach 170-180hp at the crank.

The plan - The basics.. Headers, i'm thinking headerback exhaust, muffler, with no cat (maybe, that's why i'm here right?), intake setup, ford injectors, chip, tune.

I'm going to do some weight reduction but i'm most likely keeping ac. I want it to remain balanced and fun but I obviously want a little more grunt.

Any suggestions on products, other mods, whatever?

If I don't reach 180bhp that's just fine but why not set the bar high..

[mabeer]

I want more power, but I don't plan on dumping cash into this engine

  I spit my coffee out.  That's like saying I want six-pack abs but I'm going to eat like a pig and not exercise . . . ain't gonna happen. 

You won't get much, if any, gain from headers, same if by intake setup you're talking cone filter.  I'd suggest spending cash on the basic maintenance making sure everything is tip-top and then get a quality chip.  If you can find a 4.27 or even a 4.45 LSD that would definitely increase the grunt factor without having to spend a fortune.

Crack the ECU and check to see if it's been chipped already.  Looks like a nice specimen (just saw your other post) You'll have lots of fun with it.

[Nick_318is]

Good luck with those numbers without dumping cash into the motor, you must be new to m42s.

Intake and headers won't do much if anything.  Exhaust might make it sound nice but not much to be gained, maybe 1-2hp from removing the cat based on what I've seen over the years.

Best things you can do, chip the motor if it's not already.  And that's about it.  I understand a light weight fly wheel helps with responsiveness but I don't have one so I haven't experienced it myself.  Best bet is to do all the maintenance and drive the piss out of it (keep the revs above 3.5k, that's the sweet spot on the m42).

[i8ur911]

My goal is 180hp and I'm $4500 in to my motor

Be happy with the 130hp that the car MIGHT make if you don't want to spend money.

I'm all for doing the things you want to do, but I'd spend my money on maintenance, suspension, wheels/tires and fixing any rust before going after power.

[wazzu70]

He is talking crank power, not wheel which makes things better.

The best bang for the buck is a chip as mentioned. After that, replacing the muffler, then you are about done without cracking the engine.

I dynoed about 130whp with this combo which is about 155bhp.

[bmwman91]

Yup, a chip is the only bolt-on mod that will make any more power. BMW de-tuned the stock ignition maps, probably so that the 318iS wouldn't steal too much sales volume from the more expensive M20 powered cars. The intake and exhaust are already 100% optimized really. The whole thing is basically strung-out as it is. Hell, I have a 205bhp 2.1L M42 (literally not one single stock moving part in it) and that's running on stock exhaust and stock air filter/AFM. I may gain a few HP when I get my M30 air box and MAF conversion in, but that is ONLY because this engine flows a LOT more air. A stock M42 will see no gain, whatsoever, from a different intake setup.

The only other worthwhile mod IMO is a lighter flywheel. The M20 flywheel (1988+ models ONLY) and clutch assembly is basically a bolt-on. It really wakes up the engine.

You aren't going to hit 180bhp on a budget, sorry. A chip and flywheel will wake the car up for sure, but as wazzu said you are looking at ~150bhp. My 205bhp engine (professionally built, not DIY so that does add some cost) cost enough that anyone that I tell the cost to looks at me like I am nuts. Hell, I look at me like I am nuts when I think about it! I blame Febi for planting that seed all those years ago...!