performance upgrades

hi everyone, New guy just signed up. Looks like a great place for imformation.
Have a question?
Always wanted a bmw convertible, have had others, just not convertibles.
just picked up a 2002 330ci w/sport package. car is 5 speed manual with 76k in miles.
here is the question
interested in a preformance upgrade of some sort. looking at dinan, ac schnitzer. etc.
what do you all reccommend.
and is it worth it on a car with 76k in miles.
love the car, drives awesome, just want to speed it up a bit and make some noise.
suggestions.
all my other bmw's where brand new leases, so never looked into upgrades until this one.

swap the rear end with a 3:46 from a salvage automatic...power you can really feel. Wheels, dont spend to much. tirerack.com has a good selection.

Originally Posted by quint

hi everyone, New guy just signed up. Looks like a great place for imformation.
Have a question?
Always wanted a bmw convertible, have had others, just not convertibles.
just picked up a 2002 330ci w/sport package. car is 5 speed manual with 76k in miles.
here is the question
interested in a preformance upgrade of some sort. looking at dinan, ac schnitzer. etc.
what do you all reccommend.
and is it worth it on a car with 76k in miles.
love the car, drives awesome, just want to speed it up a bit and make some noise.
suggestions.
all my other bmw's where brand new leases, so never looked into upgrades until this one.

Welcome! There are 2 Jim Conforti cold air intake kits on E46fanatics classified (performance sub category) for less than $150. I have one and LOVE it. It adds some cool sound and maybe a tiny bit of performance. You won't gain much with ANY bolt on for your BMW, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. The sound is worth the $150 IMO.

Welcome to Bimmerfest.

One important thing to note is that whose whacky Bavarian engineers managed to make these engines pretty efficient from the getgo. That doesn't mean you can't squeeze mower power out of them, it just means that you shouldn't expect to be thrown back in your seat after installing a cold air intake and engine software.

The search function will reveal a TON of information for what you are looking for. The "easiest" and most "common" mods are air intakes and headers. Another possible one is the differential from an automatic as mentioned above, search for "ebay headers", "Headers", "diff", "differential" and you will see.

Originally Posted by Coconutpete

Welcome to Bimmerfest.

One important thing to note is that whose whacky Bavarian engineers managed to make these engines pretty efficient from the getgo. That doesn't mean you can't squeeze mower power out of them, it just means that you shouldn't expect to be thrown back in your seat after installing a cold air intake and engine software.

The search function will reveal a TON of information for what you are looking for. The "easiest" and most "common" mods are air intakes and headers. Another possible one is the differential from an automatic as mentioned above, search for "ebay headers", "Headers", "diff", "differential" and you will see.

Like 5hp?

The only way to get real power boost is by installing a super or turbo charger. Other than that, you can put some money in your suspension and reduce your body roll. That's about it. Exhausts, intakes, etc will only give you 10 - 15 HP, which you probably won't even feel.

For anyone that's looking, DiffsOnline is showing a used e46 3.46 open diff for $495.....

http://www.diffsonline.com/product/used.shtml

That's relatively cheap, lower than their core charge on a custom LSD.....

Originally Posted by MicahO

For anyone that's looking, DiffsOnline is showing a used e46 3.46 open diff for $495.....

http://www.diffsonline.com/product/used.shtml

That's relatively cheap, lower than their core charge on a custom LSD.....

I got mine for less than half that - SHIPPED - on eBay from Bavarian Auto Recyclers.

Originally Posted by KrisL

I got mine for less than half that - SHIPPED - on eBay from Bavarian Auto Recyclers.

I've still got the extra 3.07 I bought from Dr. Phil on the shelf for $250. I paid considerably more to Jim Blanton for the package he is about to ship.

My 5-year/75K rejuvenation has taken on a deeper meaning than the cooling system refresh

Originally Posted by MicahO

For anyone that's looking, DiffsOnline is showing a used e46 3.46 open diff for $495.....

http://www.diffsonline.com/product/used.shtml

That's relatively cheap, lower than their core charge on a custom LSD.....

Originally Posted by KrisL

I got mine for less than half that - SHIPPED - on eBay from Bavarian Auto Recyclers.

+1 Bavarian Auto Recyclers got my business. They ship out relatively quick, but for the price, it's worth it.

Yeah the box smelled like gear oil and it was a bit dirty upon arrival, but for $250+Shipping you really can't go wrong with that

hmm...didn't even think about the diff....thanks for the food for thought. Time for some searchin'