Power improvements on a 3 litre?

Z4tobe · Post by **Z4tobe** » Tue Jun 21, 2022 8:25 pm

I am currently looking at getting a 3 litre convertible. I havent driven one yet and I am sure it will have enough power to begin with, however.... If I am am looking to increase the power what is the most wallet friendly way of doing this? A remap maybe?

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Tue Jun 21, 2022 8:39 pm

I don't think a remap makes much difference to power output, although people who have had one done say it can improve drivability.

Easiest option is to look for a facelift as the 3.0Si is rated at 265PS rather than the pre-facelift 3.0i which is 231PS. Although there aren't too many 3.0Si Roadsters around (lees than 1,000 IIRC).

Other than that it's time for a supercharger kit, an Alpina or an M.

Zedebee · Post by **Zedebee** » Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:18 pm

Mr Tidy is correct. There are two routes to make meaningful power gains on a 3.0i. They are:
- upgrade to 3.0Si, then to Alpina or M really depending on your preference
- supercharge it. I’ve had the pleasure of a ride in another member’s supercharged car, it’s brutal.

You can make it go faster by lightening it (see great threads by Vanne and Liam22)
I believe some people have fitted turbochargers or entirely different engines, although this is not an easy path.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:38 pm

All this theory applies only to tin top coops.
If you have a proper roadster version you need to be going at a speed that still allows lesser mortals to see your contented smile.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Tue Jun 21, 2022 10:56 pm

enuff_zed wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:38 pm All this theory applies only to tin top coops.
If you have a proper roadster version you need to be going at a speed that still allows lesser mortals to see your contented smile.

And the flies stuck to your teeth

Zedebee · Post by **Zedebee** » Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:23 pm

enuff_zed wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:38 pm All this theory applies only to tin top coops.
If you have a proper roadster version you need to be going at a speed that still allows lesser mortals to see your contented smile.

I didn’t see the need to compromise, which is why I have both.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:41 pm

enuff_zed wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:38 pm All this theory applies only to tin top coops.
If you have a proper roadster version you need to be going at a speed that still allows lesser mortals to see your contented smile.

As well as your receding hairline, sunburnt and wind-blasted face and head.

Coupe with climate solves all that!

SonnyA85 · Post by **SonnyA85** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 12:03 pm

Z4tobe wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 8:25 pm I am currently looking at getting a 3 litre convertible. I havent driven one yet and I am sure it will have enough power to begin with, however.... If I am am looking to increase the power what is the most wallet friendly way of doing this? A remap maybe?

Drive it downhill. Pointless doing anything other than a supercharger which isn't cheap. You could do a back box delete but it's not going to make any real world difference. Buy the SI, M or the E89 35is if you want more power.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 12:09 pm

SonnyA85 wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 12:03 pm
Z4tobe wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 8:25 pm I am currently looking at getting a 3 litre convertible. I havent driven one yet and I am sure it will have enough power to begin with, however.... If I am am looking to increase the power what is the most wallet friendly way of doing this? A remap maybe?
Drive it downhill. Pointless doing anything other than a supercharger which isn't cheap. You could do a back box delete but it's not going to make any real world difference. Buy the SI, M or the E89 35is if you want more power.

If you think driving downhill increases power then you obviously don't understand the gravity of the situation!

TheDan · Post by **TheDan** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 12:22 pm

Another thing you can do to make it "feel" like its got more power is to install a higher final drive diff.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 1:53 pm

Or drive with the roof down, always makes mine seem faster which is a good job as it’s only a 2.2

kis · Post by **kis** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 2:12 pm

TheDan wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 12:22 pm Another thing you can do to make it "feel" like its got more power is to install a higher final drive diff.

And the sound generator mod! Felt like I'd installed a supercharger!!

NLW73 · Post by **NLW73** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:58 pm

take weight out where you can. if you can... always helps

lighter wheels is always a good place to start. maybe some sound deadening under the carpets? lighter seats? smaller battery? lose the spare wheel etc . it's all a compromise over comfort.

maybe some breathing improvements and 200 cell cats. not much else you can do on NA cars.

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 9:04 pm

NLW73 wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:58 pm take weight out where you can. if you can... always helps

lighter wheels is always a good place to start. maybe some sound deadening under the carpets? lighter seats? smaller battery? lose the spare wheel etc . it's all a compromise over comfort.

maybe some breathing improvements and 200 cell cats. not much else you can do on NA cars.

What z4 has a spare wheel?

Rob

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 11:05 pm

Smartbear wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 9:04 pm
NLW73 wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:58 pm take weight out where you can. if you can... always helps

lighter wheels is always a good place to start. maybe some sound deadening under the carpets? lighter seats? smaller battery? lose the spare wheel etc . it's all a compromise over comfort.

maybe some breathing improvements and 200 cell cats. not much else you can do on NA cars.
What z4 has a spare wheel?
Rob

A wheely good one, sorry

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