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Old 03-28-2016, 02:15 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Indiana Eco E30

Hello all,

Was recommended to check this place out when shopping for low rolling resistance tires for my BMW E30 ghetto-hypermiler project. Looks like a set of Bridgestone B381 will be in my future based on what I've learned here: //ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/top-5-most-fuel-efficient-tires-lowest-rolling-2813

I'm commuting 120 miles a day for work these days, so this is a very practical project for me. Despite aerodynamics very similar to that of a house brick, I don't think the E30 is a TERRIBLE platform, and I have lots of experience wrenching on them as I also race E30's in WRL, AER, Chumpcar, etc.

Spec's:
1990 BMW 318is
M42 DOHC 1.8L 4 cylinder. 100% Stock, 10W40 synthetic oil.
185/60/14 'junk' tires @ 40PSI

Current Mods:
2.79 ratio differential pulled from 325e

Current Performance:
38MPG on the highway 60-70mph.

I would like to get this car as efficient as possible without spending more than I can make back in savings in less than a year. Given the length of the commute, that may be a reasonable budget to work with. I have a garage with a lift, mig welder and plenty of tools, so fabbing up mods is not out of the question. Looking forward to learning what I can here, and sharing my progress.

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Old 03-28-2016, 02:28 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Welcome.

Firstly let me say I'm a bit envious. The E30 is, in my opinion, the second most attractive compact sedan BMW has ever offered in the States, nipping closely at the heels of the ever-fetching 2002.

The 1.8 is a good, solid engine. You're in very good stead there, as you're clearly already aware.

Big points for the tall axle ratio. I bet cruising in fifth with that out back is pretty cool.

Considering you're mostly covering the ground on the highway - I can't imagine doing a 60 mile commute on back roads - you might get big dividends from a hot air intake to give yourself an ersatz Lean Burn Mode.

Subscribed with interest.
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Old 03-28-2016, 05:45 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sporqster View Post
Hello all,

Was recommended to check this place out when shopping for low rolling resistance tires for my BMW E30 ghetto-hypermiler project. Looks like a set of Bridgestone B381 will be in my future based on what I've learned here: //ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/top-5-most-fuel-efficient-tires-lowest-rolling-2813

I'm commuting 120 miles a day for work these days, so this is a very practical project for me. Despite aerodynamics very similar to that of a house brick, I don't think the E30 is a TERRIBLE platform, and I have lots of experience wrenching on them as I also race E30's in WRL, AER, Chumpcar, etc.

Spec's:
1990 BMW 318is
M42 DOHC 1.8L 4 cylinder. 100% Stock, 10W40 synthetic oil.
185/60/14 'junk' tires @ 40PSI

Current Mods:
2.79 ratio differential pulled from 325e

Current Performance:
38MPG on the highway 60-70mph.

I would like to get this car as efficient as possible without spending more than I can make back in savings in less than a year. Given the length of the commute, that may be a reasonable budget to work with. I have a garage with a lift, mig welder and plenty of tools, so fabbing up mods is not out of the question. Looking forward to learning what I can here, and sharing my progress.
Welcome, and nice choice of the m42 for the e30 to mod. Its better on fuel than any of the 6cyls and better tna the m40 4pots too.

I have just got an old carb fed m10 e30 with 4 speed auto and its giving 31.7mpg (US) at the moment, although this tank will likely be lower due to a blowing exhaust.

Re the e30 and eco modding - make sure the factory undertray is fitted and consider altering your viscous fan to the electric set up as used in the m44 (1.9) versions as found in the e36.

best of luck!
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Old 03-29-2016, 10:25 AM   #4 (permalink)
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