BMW 318iS e36 Project- Aiming for 45MPG (imp)-Suggestions Wanted!

[beatr911]

The 318 has a different (lighter) driveline than the 325 and up to make it less expensive and it doesn't need the strength for the smaller engine. The 4-door has a slightly taller final drive ratio and should bolt-in.

There is a fuel injector swap available where more modern (and cheap) Ford injectors are used to atomize the fuel better, a few mpg are possible.

Do the fan-delete mod. The fan appears to not be doing anything anyway because it is too far from the radiator and the ducting shroud is missing. It's just churning air around in the engine compartment. Electric fan is a good idea to manage hot summer days.

Grill block as much as you can get away with while not overheating or relying on the electric fan.

+1 on the underbody panels to clean things up a bit.

I'm thinking of getting a similar vehicle so I'll be watching the progress on your modifications. Good luck and please report back often!

[320touring]

Hi, thanks for your useful post- I've typed my observations below:

Originally Posted by beatr911

The 318 has a different (lighter) driveline than the 325 and up to make it less expensive and it doesn't need the strength for the smaller engine. The 4-door has a slightly taller final drive ratio and should bolt-in.

I'm aware that the diff and the gearbox in the 4 cyls are "smaller" in terms of torque they can cope with and weight, but given the fact that the car spends most of its time on motorways, i can see no real penalty in hauling round the extra 20kg of a "medium case" diff

I'm hoping to be able to cover that increase in weight by weight saving elsewhere..

There is a fuel injector swap available where more modern (and cheap) Ford injectors are used to atomize the fuel better, a few mpg are possible.

Awesome news! I take it the Ford injectors have more "pinholes" in the nozzle for better atomisation?

Do you know the part number or models of ford that they were used in?should be easy enough to cross ref bosch model numbers.

Do the fan-delete mod. The fan appears to not be doing anything anyway because it is too far from the radiator and the ducting shroud is missing. It's just churning air around in the engine compartment. Electric fan is a good idea to manage hot summer days.

Grill block as much as you can get away with while not overheating or relying on the electric fan.

The ducting is about here somewhere..I'll try to refit in the interim whilst I source a fan.

I reckon the car will happily cope with full grillblocks all round- it never gets warm, even flat out on track. but before I do that, maybe a new waterpump/thermostat and coolant change may be a plan

+1 on the underbody panels to clean things up a bit.

I'm thinking of getting a similar vehicle so I'll be watching the progress on your modifications. Good luck and please report back often!

Thanks again- I'll get a panel on it as soon as I can source one.

I'll try to do fairly regular updates- It'll probably be mid sept before I get any mods done, as the car is off on a roadtrip next week!

[320touring]

Small Update 07/09/11

Top Slam panel Refitted- so gap at top of slam panel closed

Also, 2 engine mounts replaced- so the engine is no longer only supported by the gearbox mounts

[beatr911]

320 Touring. Not sure of the injector details but yes they are four hole bosch injectors. Try searching the net for the details.

I recently read about a person that drives a 318ti with a tall 2.93 E30 diff on 318ti.org. Reported freeway average was about 38mpg US. The ti is a bit of a different beast than yours but the potential for yours is there as well.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by beatr911

320 Touring. Not sure of the injector details but yes they are four hole bosch injectors. Try searching the net for the details.

I recently read about a person that drives a 318ti with a tall 2.93 E30 diff on 318ti.org. Reported freeway average was about 38mpg US. The ti is a bit of a different beast than yours but the potential for yours is there as well.

The 318ti has the later 1.9. Version of my engine, and 200kg less weight but that's good news that it can turn the 2.93!

On the recent roadtrip the car managed a 47mpg UK tank!bloody impressive with no mods..

Hopefully I'll get the European roadtrip thread updated shortly

[bestclimb]

Kill switch for engine off coasting. Kill the injectors not the spark.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by bestclimb

Kill switch for engine off coasting. Kill the injectors not the spark.

That is a very good point. 320 if you make one I'll copy it.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by bestclimb

Kill switch for engine off coasting. Kill the injectors not the spark.

I dunno about this...

Lots of queuing in traffic etc, drains the servo quickly- keeping the engine running helps.

[320touring]

Retro fitted the Original upper Slam panel cover as can be seen below



Also looks Like I may have found an e46 (the 3 series after this) undertray that can be modified to fit,...

Its at my unit, and it's free!

Time to strike out the cableties!

[320touring]

Further Progress has been painfully slow..Short of rectifying low tyre pressures!

However, Mr Arragonis has shamed me into looking for Coroplast for making a grill block..

5 SHEETS BLACK A3 CORREX FLUTED PLASTIC 4MM/700 GSM | eBay Should apparently work (according to Mr A)

Hopefully that is enough for an upper and lower block, given that it's 3 A3 sized sheets..

Additionally, If possible, I'm going to try and offer up the e46 undertray I have at the unit- see if there's any real work needed to make it fit.