328i Shooting Brake LPG- The Mods thread!
 

Recently acquired this 1997 BMW 328i Touring (estate) fitted with an LPG system..

its got 193 BHP, and is geared for 2500rpm at 60mph with a 5 speed Manual

weight is circa 1500kg, and the Cd is similar to my 318iS (0.30)

its being used to do the 48 mile round trip to my work daily, coupled with runs to/from my unit at the weekends

Fuel logging is currently working this way..

Petrol tank filled

LPG filled to 45L (from empty)

Run until LPG is out and refill to 45L

Car will start on LPG, so the petrol is really only there incase I run out without having LPG to hand..

Have an LPG station 1 mile from house, and 1 mile from work, so have made it to stations easily.

I'll top up the petrol once 1/2 the tank is used, so I know total number of gallons (LPG and petrol) used to cover the miles. this will give a combined fuel MPG

any suggestions re this recording method?:confused:

anyways Here's some pics:

Car needs front tyres changed to correct 205/55/16s- will do asap

As per usual- open to any suggestions/hints/tips you have re aero/modding or driving technique:thumbup:

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0086.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0087.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0091.jpg

Cheers!

A fairly successful weekend.

Got 2x part worn 205/55/16 off a mate for free (always the best price!) just need to get them fitted

First Mod already done..

Removed the 1! rear mudflap..

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0165.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0164.jpg

Also gor some pics of the front grilles and engine bay so I can have a look and see options.

I'm thinking the WAI may be difficult to do- and I dont know if the MAF meter will respond to it?

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0166.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0167.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0168.jpg

Hoping to get some actual modding done on this at the weekend- got distracted with new bits for the old 320touring!

may try to measure up for front grillblocks and some under-panels.

Potential also to try and lose some weight from the car inconspicuously- should help during the pulse part of P&G

A four door wagon isn't considered a "shooting brake". Never-the-less I am very jealous of that ride. I wish wagon BMWs were more available here in the states.

Ditch the roofrails if you don't use them.

It could be worth removing the roof rails if you don't use them and replacing the crank-driven fan with an electric one.

its a hatchback! estate...

so it is:p

thhe roof rails appear to be bolted in from underneath- possibly requiring the removal of thee roof trim inside.

I think there are better or similar gains to be hadd elsewhere with less work?

I'll bear them in mind though.


crank driven fan replaced with electric one is on the list- just need to find one that costs less than a full tank of LPG to make it worthwhile..

cheers for the suggestions fellas:thumbup:

new best LPG tank in..

38.01L for 257.6 miles- 30.82 imp mpg!

If ever there was an incentive to do better!

Focussing on drag reduction might be best for your commute, especially if its at motorway speeds. the grille blocks and undertray mentioned are good mods. the best mod might be a kammback somewhat like piwoslaws:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...read-9040.html

Later Citroen Saxos have a fairly slim electric fan which uses a seperate loom with all the relays etc. Should be cheaper than a tank of lpg on ebay or a scrapyard too :thumbup:

Wai
 

Sentra-SER did a pretty thorough WAI test on his MAF equipped car. The WAI did not produce a benefit for him. It has seemed to help MAP-only cars by reducing pumping losses. Search for his WAI test and you can see his full results.

Thanks for that- I seems to remember reading that thread.

I'll leave it just now then, as thats where the LPG enters, so changes could be more complex

Got a few thousand miles under the belt of the car now..

Hopefully this weekend (4 days!) will see the car serviced, cleaned and possibly grill blocked/ front bellypan

Aero help/suggestions?
 

been playing with the template (internet sourced picture of car)

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...gtemplate2.jpg

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...gtemplate1.jpg

now the car has passed its MOT, and will be about for the next year, its time to mod!

Initial thoughts (based around what I have available at the moment)

1. Upper/Lower Grille block

2. Front undertray- engine bay is currently open

3. Lower the front, as car is currently nose high

4. Fit smaller mirrors (m3 style)

5. Remove Roof Rails

6. Centre belly pan


Pics of the car/areas to improve

Front arch Gap (already slightly reduced by fitting correct 205/55/16 tyres)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0086.jpg

Roof Rails/Skirts and rear bumpers
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0091.jpg

Engine Bay
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0166.jpg

Upper Grille
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0167.jpg

Lower Grille
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMAG0168.jpg

Hello! The template is not lined up properly yet. Find the highest point in the roof line and match it to the template's high point. This might mean that the template "line" will track through your cars aft roofline.

Undertrays get wide support here. Mirror deletes are more debatable. Grill blocks are good (keep an eye on temps. Make sure your early efforts at mods are completely reversible... you'll want a redo sometimes and you don't want to have drill holes all over the body! :eek:

looks like a good list, how about smooth wheel covers?

Lovely condition. Seems to be a good clean straight one. Congrats on a good find. :-)

The roof looks rather flat on the Touring, so the template would go almost to the very end of the roof.

If the template intersects with the actual roof line, move the template's high spot aft to this intersection, start again, but compensate for the possible height difference.

Hi, thanks for your useful input!

As euromodder alludes to, the touring roofline is basically flat, and provides carrying capacity I find useful;)

therefore I tried to line up the template to retain the space, but look at how the template would indicate possible rear treatment for better aero..does that make sense?

Here's another photo, I'd be interested to see where you'd position the template- please have a go:D

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...nster/328b.jpg


I have the undertray off an e46 at my unit that I can butcher a bit to make it fit..

I wouldnt be deleting the miirors, jsut trying to reduce the frontal area a touch.

I'm hearing you re the " reversible"- the upper grills pull out easily-so even when blocked, I can clear them quickly:cool:

Thanks!

I dont know re the wheel covers- the current wheels are defintely very open, and must cause some turbulence..however, fiting covers would draw attention to the visible change..unless I can hunt down some BMW hubcaps:confused:

thanks, alas, the pictures make it look better than it is..

The engine and interior are in fine fettle..I've just had to change the Dual Mass flywheel as it was shot after 107k miles.

Bodywise its had more hits than the beetles and there's a rust scab on most every panel- I'm currently trying to repair these and get it looking a bit more presentable so i can :turtle: in style

just call them moon disks, they make those and many people know what they are, might not cause issues.

Bumping this so I remember to actually do some work to the car now I have it running correctly!

Bumping this to encourage more details of said work :D

Just playing with a template...
http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1358935038

Excellent work thanks!

However, the police/ insurers over here wouldnt be keen on that at all..

I really should update this thread with some info on the car as it currently stands!

Might do that tonight if I get the chance..