E30 Performance

Engine Power:
BMW engines are highly evolved and efficient as they
come to us from the factory. It is virtually impossible to find
substantial horsepower or torque improvements through
minor manipulations of a healthy, well tuned BMW engine. Big
changes can only come through big effort, big money, or both.

Minor improvements can be achieved through changes to
the engine management software---either by replacing or
reprogramming the "chip".
Some engines benefit from installation of low restriction
air filter housings, especially in combination with some device
which assures that only cold air and not engine-heated air
enters the engine.

See your specific car page for more specific
recommendations.

NOTE: the simplest way to get a major increase in
PERCEIVED torque is through a change in the differential
ratio---again see the specific car pages for specifics.

Engine Conversions
---are not for everybody, but for the select few, the really
discriminating owners, nothing less will do. For those not
satisfied with the status quo, not satisfied with "normal",
bigger engines are the way to true happiness.

More modern M50 engine conversions are particularly
recommended because of their smoothness, reliability, and
performance. They are further discussed under the
conversions section:

Conversions link

Exhaust Systems

Stock exhaust: not bad, probably perfectly fine for most
performance applications.

Mufflers: performance exhaust systems are free flowing
and not restrictive. Factory exhaust parts fit very well and last
a pretty long time. They are hard to beat. Less restrictive
systems are available, but are usually louder than stock.