max power of a stock 318is

[jake_9685]

I was looking through some of my old total bmw magazines and found an article about a group of e30 owners who were getting together to dyno their cars. They dynoed three 318is's and they all claimed the standard 136 bhp. None of the cars came to that power. Here is what they came out to.

first car-147 bhp
second car-152 bhp
third car-151 bhp.

I have searched the site and seemed some interesting dyno charts, My question is what is the power of a stock 318is? I also am wondering how an engine can make more power than the factory says it makes?

[gearheadE30]

I think I have the same article. These were Euro-spec cars that didn't have the american emissions controls, which sap a good bit of power. American models all make about 130-140 at the crank depending on the condition of the engine. This equates to about 120 hp at the wheels. I thought the power difference was rather large, though. There's probably something that I am missing.

[silverblades181]

Some factory claims are very conservative. The new 335i is rated at 300hp but many independent tests claims closer to 350hp.

[johna]

I would say most likely they are dynoing at the rear wheels then using a very optimistic calculation to convert it to at the flywheel figures.