re: E30/eta quicker off the line

[jkerouac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

re:  E30/eta quicker off the line

Here's a few quick and cheap ways to get the eta motor off the line quicker:
1:  325i throttle body.  Can be found used for $75.0 and less.  The last 
year of the eta, or as BMW called it the "super eta", this larger 
throttle body was used.
2:  3.73 rear axle from E30/325i, or a 4.10 from a E30///M3 or 16 valve 
318.  Also there are 3.45 rears on the four cylinder E36 318 and Z3 that 
will bolt right in.  the 3.45 might be a proper match for the shorter 
redline of the eta motor.
3.  Flip the computer switch in the ECU one rotated position form the 
factory position, then likely one or two, not more, teeth on the AFM 
wheel to match.  The computer switch plus the 325i throttle will get at 
least 3/4 second, usually one second, faster zero to sixty.
     For every proponent of this mod there are at least a few uninformed 
flamers who have never tried it but throw doo doo at whoever says its 
worth a try.  I've done the mod succesfully to at least ten cars, so 
shut up or put up.  Maybe these flamers spent a few hundred on some 
underperforming computer chip and need to try to justify their expense, 
but until we are able to change the rate at which time passes, my 
stopwatch will continue not to lie.
4.  Wheels:
     Don't go taller, go shorter.  Taller wheels add rotational mass. 
 So they need more to spin up, not less.  Plus they don't allow as short 
a tire either.
For instance, a 13x8 wheel with 224/45x13 Hoosier or 215/50x13 BFG is 
about 21" inches tall.  So you get at least ten percent better torque to 
the road over the shortest size, a 205/50x14, that fits the stock wheel 
diameter.  The total weight of the 13" setup is at least 10, more like 
15 pounds lighter than any 14" setup you can get.
     For verification of the effectiveness in both handling and 
holeshots of this idea, check out what the successful C and D street 
prepared autocrosser use.
     Also, 13 inch tires and wheels are considerably less expensive than 
similar quality in larger sizes, so replacing the tires takes less bite 
out of the wallet too.
5.  Air Filter:
     Get a Purolator air filter listed for a Chevy/Isuzu Sprint.  Its a 
natural for the BMW air flow meter.  Snaps on real snug to the AFM 
inlet.  Long enough to get a charge of air to the AFM.  the lack of 
which is the main reason why not to run an open AFM with just a screen 
over it.  This filter is effective on most any BMW AFM, not just for the 
ETA motor.
     The metal domed section of the top of the air filter box will have 
to be hack sawed off so the Purolator filter can clear.  but by keeping 
the rest of the upper section fo the air filter box, avoid the problem 
common to alternate air filter setups.  That problem is "how do you 
mount the filter and get it to stay securely attached?"
6.  Lubrication:  As with any BMW, Mobil 5W30 in the motor, six quart 
fill, with Redline MTL in the trans and 75W90NS in the rear.
Happy Motoring,

'jk

------------------------------