Just got a '95 Club Sport

[tgroth]

Last night I just picked up a bright red '95 Club Sport with 81k mi for 10,900. (I was amazed that the dealership didn't know that they were selling 1 of 300 club sports imported into the US) Anyways, I love the car, and would like to give it some more power to match its already near perfect M-tech suspension. What brand of exhaust gives the most increase of hp? Does Supersprint make high flow catalytic converters? It is a '95, which has OBD I, so which chips should I consider? Also, the car has a sticker that says that it is prewired for a CD changer. What brand of changer will fit? (I've heard it's Alpine) Thank you for your time,
Todd Groth

[CAMOKAT]

Hey, Congratulations!!!

I am using SuperSprint Exhaust, itís very good and you can feel the power and hear the sound, however itís a little bit noise on the high RPM. If you considering Exhaust definitely consider intake. Regarding chip DINAN is the way to go. http://www.dinanbmw.com/

[tgroth]

Thanks for the input, I figure I'll invest in a Supersprint exhaust. Is a high flow catalytic converter worth the money? And where can I find a good intake for a '95 M42 engine? I noticed that Dinan does not have their cold intake system for the '95 TI.

[CAMOKAT]

Follow the link: http://www.bavauto.com/powerflow/pflo.htmlPOWERFLOW KIT- 318Ti, Z3 1.9 liter thru 96 4049 $149.95

I think it's you. call Bavarian and ask them.

I used TRUST Intake, since my eng is 1.8L, On Club Sport is 1.9L

[1996 328ti]

If you want a factory CD changer you better hurry up. There are only a few CD change5 brackets that fit 95-96 left in the US.

VOB in Rockville has 3 I'm told.
South Motors in Miami has a few too.

...steven

[tgroth]

CAMOKAT, are you sure the club sport has a 1.9L? I'm almost certain it has a 1.8L M42. I figured my car was a club sport because it had the complete M body kit (w/ mirrors, M logos, a sporty suspension, bright red, 5 spoke 16" rims w/ 225/50 tires, and a sport interior. If the club sport had a 1.9L M44, then I guess I have a sport model (but I'm almost positive its a club sport). Is their anyway to check so that I can be certain if it is a club sport?

[tgroth]

btw, thanks for the links CAMOKAT

[CAMOKAT]

I am pretty sure that Club Sport comes with 1.9L engines, but best way to check that, call any BMW dealer and give them your vin number, and they will be able to tell you, also look for the labels under the hood.

[CAMOKAT]

Sorry,

Here is what I found on M44 1.9 Liter (BMWNA 1996-1999)
http://happytogether.com/318ti/companion/models/318tiCS.html

[Dan Burger]

Yeah, the CS came with the 1.8 OBDI engine -
not as much torque, but same HP as 1.9 L -
the OBDI is a better tuners car though due to lower emissions standards, etc. If you're not sure, just go to bmwusa.com and enter your VIN number and info. and someone will call with an answer.

My first mod was a K&N intake (9" cone) - that alone brought me past a stock '96 + ti in terms of torque and HP.

On OBD II cars, exhaust doesn't do much beyond giving a better sound. On OBD I cars, it makes only a modest difference. To realize the potential of the ti Club Sport, while keeping budgets in mind, I would do the following:
1. Intake (K&N is great, but be sure to get a heat sheild)

2. Chip - huge advantage of OBD I cars!

3. Exhaust/free flow cat.

The LSD of the Club Sport is fantastic and dramatically improves handling over other ti's

my $.02

Dan
'95 Club Sport
Jet Black

[Dan Burger]

Oh yeah,
Club Sports have a great cloth/leather interior with red accents on the shift boot, seats, and E-brake. They also came with sport seats.

Dan

[tgroth]

My car does have the red accents on the boot, and the red/black inserts in the sport seats (sounds like a CS to me). Would a good high flow catalytic converter make a power improvement? Also, I've seen some tutorials on modifying the stock air box, but can they compare to a simple cone filter, in terms of hp & torque gain?

[DougZ]

Tgroth:

I have done the airbox modifcation on my 98 ti, and I like it. Not as pretty as a cone, but does the job for only $15.00. One of the problems with some of the cone set ups is that they take their air from up too high, and too hot air. A good cone airfilter set up will scoop down to behind the foglights, where the intake air is much cooler. I did notice a couple of HP increase with just what I did. I did it the way that Shawn Fogg did his Z3. You can find the link by searching for his name. It should be noted that I did it and kept the stock air filter. I have recently added a K&N drop in filter as well as Bosch Platinum +4's too. All together, I guesstimate that I gained about 12 HP's. A new Bosal exhaust is going on this weekend too.

DougZ
98 318ti Active and then some....

[Dan Burger]

I've been looking for a good free flow cat for some time now...can't seem to find one that will match up well and just bolt on - I've found several that weld or clamp on, but I'd feel better if it matched up.

I agree on the air intake thing - a really good one will take the air from down low, where it will be much colder - but those sysems tend to be very expensive. If you have the ///M front end, you can get a kit that will take it from the brake ducts up front - very nice kit, but i think it goes for around $350-400. I'm happy with the K&N with a shield - it even sounds good - a nice "woosh" on acceleration. The '95 CS needs a special bracket (adapter) though that costs about $70. I got my kit complete from AJ USA for about $190. I don't know what their prices are now though.

Let me know how that bosal (brospeed?) replacement goes. I've been looking at them, but haven't decided yet - the 3.5 half inch tip seems a little large to me.

[CAMOKAT]

Dan,

Have you ever installed ///M3 seats? Let me know how did it worked out?

[tgroth]

I need to get a repair manual for the '95 C/S. Any suggestions for which manual I should get? I've heard Bentley repair manuals are top-notch. (anyone have one and would recommend it?)

[Dan Burger]

I haven't done the seats yet - they are kind of low on the ol' priority scale simply b/c they are expensive and I'm happy with my stock sport seats. All E-36's have the same mounting brackets, so ///M seats should fit right in. the only exception I hear is the vader style seats.

[Dan Burger]

Just ordered my Brospeed s/s exhaust -
I'll have it next week and will post any results. I hear you can actually feel a diff. with these...

Olympic is having a blow out on these systems for only $232 + shipping. They usually go for well over $450. I don't know how many they have left or how long the promotion goes for - give them a call and ask for Ralph.

[DougZ]

Dan: Olympic is where I got mine too, and the price is why. I was looking around for a nice exhaust, but they are all too expensive. I am a low budget kinda add on guy. The price was right. I should get it today, if FEDEX gets their sh*t together. I was supposed to get it yesterday.

Another bargin for our cars is a set of pedals that I just got. I first saw them in a Speed and Style add in a mag. They had them for $24.00, which is a great price for CNC machine brushed aluminum pedals. However, they were always on back order. I found a guy on Ebay, that I got to just sell them to me outright, no auction. I paid $60, but well worth it.

my 2 cents
Doug Z

[Dan Burger]

Doug - no doubt - the price is right!
I was looking through the archives on roadfly.com and found that people actually prefered the Brospeed over Supersprint (my first choice if I were independantly wealthy!). I like how the Brospeed system is all stainless, too. Good luck getting it on - we'll have to compare notes when we finish. Granted, we only have 4 bangers, but a little extra poop never hurt.

[DougZ]

Dan: I wasn't sure about the exhaust because I read a link about the Bosla exhausts on a post that I am going to link on this page. It goes good and bad as far as opinion about the Brospeed exhaust system for our cars. But, I figure what the heck, even if I get only two years out of it, its still worth the price.

Here is the link that I mentioned. A good site overall...a lot of technical information for E36's. http://www.gis.nsw.gov.au/staff/rnott/bmw/BMWText/technical/BosalExhaust.html

[Dan Burger]

DougZ-
Most of those posts are (I think) about OE replacement Bosal mufflers (not brospeed) - they aren't stainless or anything - just very inexpensive stock replacement. My friend had a brospeed on an Mitsubishi Eclipse and it looked, sounded, performed great and lasted for well over 3 years (he sold the car)
I should get mine tomorrow and have it on by the weekend. How did yours go?

[DougZ]

Dan: I still get mine yet...FEDEX is the biggest bunch of screw-ups there ever was. I am hoping it will be here today for me to put on tonight. I will let you know how it goes. You do the same.

Later

[Dan Burger]

Just got my Brospeed - looks pretty good and is surprisingly lightweight. It'll go on this weekend - i'll post any results.

$240 for a stainless cat-back system...not too bad!