BMW e36 318 tds - modding thread

[Piwoslaw]

1200km on a tank is great! I bet other drivers with your model don't go above 1000km.
Have you tried a grille block yet?
Get that pump done!

[AndrzejM]

Tomorrow I'm starting fixing Berta. Hopefully I'll take some pictures ;-)

[mcrews]

HAve you increased the psi?

that is a great little car.
I agree in NOT stripping the car down. THere are certain creature comforts that are built into an upper tier brand.

I have an Infiniti Q45 and would never gut it just for 1-2mpg.
I even run the a/c on automatic....and get my 30+ mpg.

[tjts1]

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

I think that Metro has a point, and as you can see below the "ideal" aerodynamic profile is way different from the back of my 318 Compact.

But the ideal profile is much longer than your car. You can't just have it end abruptly and still expect any benefit just because you followed that profile half way to its conclusion. With that modification you create a much larger low pressure zone behind your car.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by tjts1

But the ideal profile is much longer than your car. You can't just have it end abruptly and still expect any benefit just because you followed that profile half way to its conclusion. With that modification you create a much larger low pressure zone behind your car.

Following the profile to the end of the car will reduce the area of turbulance behind the car, so it's worth something. Not as much as a full boattail, but better than nothing. Extending a 'tail has diminishing returns: the first foot is worth more than each additional foot by itself. Plus in Europe, anything that protrudes beyond the rear bumper will almost definately attract the wrong kind of attention (blue uniforms, etc.).

[Piwoslaw]

How is it going with Bertha? Have you fixed the fuel pump?

BTW I believe that you have a double entry in your fuel log on 05-04-2012 which is bring your average down. Not sure how to delete entries, maybe contact MetroMPG?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by tjts1

But the ideal profile is much longer than your car. You can't just have it end abruptly and still expect any benefit just because you followed that profile half way to its conclusion. With that modification you create a much larger low pressure zone behind your car.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd like to advocate something of a middle ground

The compact is about 20° , measured to the rear of the small trunk lid.
AndrzejM's Kamm is at 10° , increasing the wake area.

10° is less than what you can get away with, so it misses out some of the potential.
I'd go for something in between, around 15° or very near the optimal angle, and at the same time try to tie in the sides as well, making a trapezoid Kamm as seen from behind (ideally with rounded edges, and the rear filled in.)

[AndrzejM]

Right now I'm dealing with the engine. Maybe I'll finish that next week. Then I'll have a fully working car as a base for eco-mods. The plan for now is to delete AC, PS and belt driven fan as well. Kammback and other aero-mods are planned for the future.

I haven't been here for a long time, because of many things that had happened in my life... But I'm still with you guys!

Anyway right now I'm in Sofia (Bulgaria) and I drove my wife's car here. MB W168 automatic and I've managed to squeeze more than 26 km per one liter (3.84 l/100km, 61.25 mpg US). Not bad, not bad at all

See you soon with some pictures of my Berta finally on the road...

[AndrzejM]

Hi Again Guys!!!
Long time no see! Many things was going on and I didn't had much time to visit our forum. First of all I have my Berta back, because it turned out that engine was dying  But now after complete rebuild it runs like it should. I don’t have any picture from the process, because I was doing everything on my own and I didn’t wanted to destroy my camera with those black greasy fingers of mine. Anyway engine have new piston rings, polished crankshaft, new main and connecting rods bearings, block was honed, valves reached, new seals etc. Lots of work but I succeeded to finish that. Now Berta is running just very gently because I want engine to run-in completely before I’ll take it to the spin. So now I can deal with the rest of the car. I’ve removed AC, PS and belt driven fan during the process. So that’s my starting point. Now I have to wait for some funds and I’m starting aero mods. 

Ok guys now I have to read lots of new threads just to catch up 

See you soon

[Piwoslaw]

Good to see you're back and that Bertha survived the engine rebuild

Can't wait for the aeromod to begin :rubbinghands: