New Member to 318ti forum

[Samson2]

Hello, Quick note to say hello. I own a 98 318ti Alpine White 5spd car. Starting a few mods, recently added M3 staggered 17" wheels and BFG T/A KDW tires. Plans are to continue interior update/upgrades and then start on suspension/drivetrain. Several threads about M3 engine swaps but are there alternatives to increase output from M44 engine? Dependable supercharger or turbocharger kits, or engine management? Lastly opinions on the E36 to V8 Ford engine/transmission swap. Thanks

[teen ti]

welcome to the org. for power you've got the Downing Atlanta Supercharger usually referred to as a DASC, which was specifically made for the M42/4, xxxjohnboyxxx knows a lot about turbos and could help you out there, i know bluebimma did an LS swap into his ti but id imagine it wouldn't be too dissimilar to swap a ford V8 (Ford > GM ) my personal favorite is a metric mechanics engine which are insane, xxxjohnboyxxx has one i believe but they cost quite a pretty penny and lastly theres a lot of guys who swap either S50/2 or other BMW 6s into the ti since they drop right in. hope this is of some help

[Samson2]

Thanks for the leads teen ti. I will exhaust BMW options first before going to Ford or GM engine swap. I am sure I will have many more questions as the upgrades continue. Pads and rotors today, new windshield tomorrow. Are there many sources for interior parts? Roof pillar covers are sketchy and door panels will need looked at. Have located seat covers, carpet and headliner already.

[teen ti]

no problem, for parts i usually us bavauto, pelican parts, and real oem. turnermotorsports carries some stuff, bimmerbum on here has some good stuff, ecs tuning is ok, theres plenty out there if you look hard enough

[bmwconnect]

welcome!

[GrandpaTuner]

Welcome...

[RAiMA]

First of all Welcome!

Originally Posted by Samson2

I will exhaust BMW options first before going to Ford or GM engine swap.

How much power are you after?

I'm running a BMW 2.8L turbo with roughly 320rwkw. There's a few others running a bit more power. With the right plan, there's really no need to swap the BMW engine for a Ford or GM engine.

Check my sig for my drag runs.

[Samson2]

Thank you to Grandpa Tuner, bmwconnect & RAiMA for the welcome. To answer the question about HP, I am looking for around 200HP. I didn't want to build anything temper-mental or a maintenance queen. After the work is done I like to get in and go, so dependable HP is what I am after. No drag racing anymore, just spirited driving through the twisties. Downing Atlanta no longer offers the 318ti M44 kit. Apparently they are no longer able to get the supercharger itself from their vendor. Open for suggestions. A quick note to say how much i am enjoying the little BMW. Had American musclecars for many years and one 928 Porsche, but the little ti has been a blast.

[slade13]

hello and welcome.

[teen ti]

xxxjohnboyxxx helped do a turbo build on yoda's ti and he's running i think 12psi on the stock motor and is making a good amount of power and is still reliable

[eurohb]

Oh welcome sir.

[reyentas]

Hello, I just purchased a 318Ti 1996. This is my second BMW that I own, the first one was a 1973 2002, that I had when I lived in Germany on the Mosel region (the city's name was Bitburg) I absoulutely love these cars, no other better engineered car in the world. My plan is to fix it up, as fast as the money allows. I am glad to have found this forum. Thanks, Rick.