A whole bunch of newb questions, need a mentor

[jimmypet]

Hey Guys,
I have been hanging out here for a while searching my brains out.
Reading lots of threads. Now I think I am ready to ask a question (or a multi pointed one)
I believe (hope) to be closing on a car tomorrow (a 98).

In all my reading,,, it seems to me that the M44 is just way overcomplicated with its cooling and vacuum routing. Burdened with not only some inferior plastic parts we have to chase, but just many "parts".

I looking at many threads about the air pump, the PCV system and trying to learn the routing on the cooling system (woah,,, that was over thunk)...

That was the newbie commentary portion.
Now the question.

Has anyone come up with a way to strip off all the overcomplicated bits and get it down to an engine that you can see in there?
It seems from my reading you can lose the air pump.
Also simplify the PCV system with a catch can (why are there coolant lines running to the PCV plate?)

Is there any other bits that can be removed / simplified to make the whole under hood operation more streamlined?

I could really use an hour or so on the phone,,, or hanging out in a garage with one of you guys that really know these cars inside out just to pick your brains and see what makes this M44 tick and all the routings and purposes of ALL this damned hoses.

I come from the E30 M3 world. I own 3, 1 street and 2 race cars. The S14 can be made so simple.
I'd love to get even close to that simplicity on the M44 (and of course still make it drive well,,, or better).

I see there is a tune, or a flash from a member here that can deactivate many of the CELs from removing things like the air pump and possibly the rear O2?

I'm like a sponge guys, educate me, I'd really appreciate it.
In return,,, I'll trade any E30 M3 or S14 knowledge anyone can ask for.
And if anyone is from the Northeast (Eastern PA, NY , NJ) and wants to hang out drink my beer and learn me about these cars, its an open invitation.

MODS please move this where it may be appropriate,,, I didn't see a clear "right" place to post it.

Thanks in advance.
jimmy p

[teen ti]

damn, 3 E30 M3s. can't really help you out but welcome to the org. ever head up to watkins glen?

[jimmypet]

Originally Posted by teen ti

damn, 3 E30 M3s. can't really help you out but welcome to the org. ever head up to watkins glen?

Yeah sure, I get there as much as I can.
Its may happy place. I just love that track, its my very favorite.

The 3 E30 M3s has been a long time in collecting LOL. They are my passion for sure. I got in way before the current "price boom".
I was a fan from when they hit the showrooms (I was a young guy at the beginning of my career,,, couldn't have hoped to afford one).
I then just saved my money and waited for the bottom of the depreciation curve.
The market is just crazy on them now.

[Bluebimma]

Its easy, get an m44 setup from a 96. DONE

They dont use a secondary air pump, fuel rail has the regulator built in, no extra bs vacuum going under the car to the standalone electric fuel regulator, you get the 1.9 instead of the 1.8, this that this that, blah......

Replace your plastics with metals, or if you know how, just fab stuff up, works wonders for me. You can simplify, just gotta know what youre simplifying and its outcome vs your goal. You could always just look for a 95 with the m42, its simpler and comes with metal cooling parts that dont shatter due to everyday use.

[jimmypet]

Originally Posted by Bluebimma

Its easy, get an m44 setup from a 96. DONE

Probably too late for that,,, and I found a very nice car.

Originally Posted by Bluebimma

You can simplify, just gotta know what youre simplifying and its outcome vs your goal

Right, hence my post,,, I don't know. I know the fundamentals of most OBD2 devices, I would love someone to walk me through it's application on the M44 and how to simplify it. I honestly don't know.

[Bluebimma]

Honestly, just replace all the hoses and be done with it. Theyre all the same size and you can buy like 6 feet at autozone. done deal. Takes a few hours if you tear it down properly and do other maintenance

[teen ti]

Originally Posted by jimmypet

Yeah sure, I get there as much as I can.
Its may happy place. I just love that track, its my very favorite

great! I'm a fourth generation son of watkins glen and grew up at the track and theres pretty much nobody on here that ever heads up that way, maybe ill be lucky enough to run into you sometime.

[jimmypet]

Well I am now officially a 318ti owner, a '98 base model, 5 spd. 154k, but very well taken care of.
Adult owned by a forum member here.
It runs great, feels very familiar, everything falls to hand right where I think it should.

I think motor and trans mounts are first on my list,,, it all feels a little "jiggly" for my taste.
Probably just age. I don't believe anything is broken. While I am in there I'll touch up the shifter parts. Other than that, its been very well cared for, it doesn't need much.
Next up will be learning that engine compartment and the routings. I've gotten a lot of good info off this site and clean that up a bit.
I'm really looking forward to getting to know the car a lot better.

Teen Ti,,,, I am going to try to make it up there for an SCCA race later this year.
A change in work position is killing my weekends this summer, I'm looking to really make it up in fall.

This is one of the family, track days and SCCA SPU, built from a lowly '88 street M3:


This is the other one, my grail car, I restored a Prodrive British Touring Car, now intended for vintage racing someday:

[teen ti]

wow. those are beautiful

[jca]

Please post some pics of your new ti. Welcome aboard!

[jimmypet]

I will, as soon as I get a moment to get it a nice wash, I'll post some up.
Thanks for the welcome
jimmy

[1slowcrx]

Welcome! Beautiful M3's!

I'd also check out m42 club and R3vlimited. Both forums, while not Ti specific have a ton of carry over info that's been very helpful to me over the years.

[BMW_Hatchback]

Welcome to your site, you'll find tons of helpful information here

[jimmypet]

Thanks Guys.
I have learned a ton on here already. I have spent more time on this site in the last week than I should. I have been searching my ass off.
I am thinking I want to upgrade the motor and trans mounts along with the shifter bushings. As I said above, that aspect is all feeling just a bit jiggly.
I'll probably go with the AKG units. I like their products.

My car is Morea Green Metallic. Its a base model but has 16" sport wheels on it.
The other things I need to address soon is the steering wheel is shot.
The rubber wrapping is coming delaminated from the metal hoop inside.
I need to change that.
I have a spare Momo 350mm Type 78 that I am going to put in there.
The parking brake rubber handle is also somewhat degraded and I would like to replace that as well.
Basically I think its the rubber bits that are due for a refresh.
"While I am in there" I may just do rear shock mounts as well, because if all that other rubber stuff is deteriorating you know the crappy BMW rear shock mounts probably are shot as well.

The previous owner just did new tires, battery, serp belt, wipers, brake fluid, pads and rotors. So I have really little to do to have a killer car.