in need of knowledge

[Cobit123]

Hey everyone,
I drive a 1989 525i, 222k miles, 5 speed. Anyways, the car handles better than anything else i've ever driven, but needs more power. As everyone knows, hoverboards dont work on water, unless you have power, and my 525 doesnt get off the line well. Im installing a cool air intake this weekend, and hope that ill get a little help from that. Im installing a K&N, but im a bit intimidated by everything coming out of the existing air filter. Are there sensors that i need to worry about in there? i see the primary intake, going into the engine, but there are additional tubes coming out of the filter housing. Anyone know if thats some oxygen sensor i need to worry about? Also, i have a gnarly shimmey in the steering wheel at about 45-65 mph, which is much more violent when im braking, but there when im accelerating through those speeds as well. Any ideas on what this is, and how to fix it? Im thinking its a bushing, or something loose, but im pretty sure its not an alignment issue...well, thanks guys

[bimmer dot info]

WWW.bmwe34.net
Steering shimmy is thrust arms. Replace them or if the ball joints are good just replace the bushings. Have you done anything to your wheels recently? These cars are very sensitive about wheel balance and hubcentric mounting.
Cold air intake will not do much. the 525s dont have low end power. Only real way to make them faster is forced induction or nitrous. The CAI is only good for sound.

[Cobit123]

Thanks for the quick response, you seem to be helpful to everyone who inquires. The shimmy has gotten steadily worse. I had the wheels re-alligned, and i check tire pressure yesterday. The front left idler arm was replaced recently, but that didnt do much to help either. Also, i love the clear indicator lights that are on what im assuming is your 5 series. Did you use b b q paint, or is it a new piece of glass? Thanks

[bimmer dot info]

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HC13&mospid=47402&btnr=31_0250&hg=31&fg=05

That is a diagram of the front suspension. The part that causes all this trouble is #8. You should replace that bushing in pairs. There are upgraded bushings from a 7 that supposedly last longer. I am running an eBay FCP grotten kit (the one without the upgraded aluminium arms). The quality is good and the price is excellent. He also honors his warranty.

The clear indicators are really cheap ones from eBay (dont remember which seller it was). The bulbs have silver BBQ paint. Painting the outside of the stock indicators would look really weird.