I have an automatic 2001 330Ci with sport and performance packages. I was wondering if there were any easy mods that are extremely cheap (or free) that I could do. I don't want to leave a gigantic hole in my wallet, but i do want a little extra horsepower. I have a friend with a 1995 mustang gt and another with a 2003ish rsx type-s. All of our cars are stock and our races are always extrmely close. I want a little bit of an edge but i don't have very much $$$. Any suggstions? Thanks.

you got the wrong car for cheap performance upgrades. Only free things is weights...get rid of all the extra stuff and start jogging.

Remove your CDV valve...better clutch feel...costs nothing.

Throw in a K&N filter = $40....OR make a DIY intake (there is simply no reason to pay $300 for an intake you can make for $50).

When you are replacing brake pads, use perf aftermarket dustless pads instead of OEM pads...costs no more than oem and better perf.

Save your $$ and get the shark injector chip upgrade. = $400

Only the first one is free...but these are relatively cheap mods.

He's got an automatic, so the CDV delete doens't apply.

Oh crap you are totally right...I must have misread that...oops.

How do I make my own intake?

Oh and the weight thing, I am 6', 155lbs. I don't have anything extra, besides the seats i guess, but i would like to keep those (comfort issue). I've heard that the engine and wheels/tires are pretty heavy, any downside to tossing those?

Sprint Booster for the gas pedal. :buttrock

I've heard that the engine and wheels/tires are pretty heavy, any downside to tossing those?

Though losing roughly 750lbs between all those, plus 200lbs of accessories you'll no longer need (fuel tank, fuel, etc), you'd actually run much slower quarter mile times.

Do a search for "DIY Intake".

How do I make my own intake?


I made this one a few months ago. I used a Chevy Colorado K&N filter ($45/autozone) and a $3 black plastic trash can from Wal~Mart. I went to the junk yard and grabbed some weather stripping also. I used left over parts from my Mustang GT intake for the piping and rubber boot through the trash can. Here's how it came out.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/CJRando/intake1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/CJRando/intake2.jpg

That aint too shabby for home-grown modification, CJ.

How much of a power boost did you get from the new intake?

How much of a power boost did you get from the new intake?

It was noticeably different. The stock air box is very restrictive. The stock intake box had a hole slightly larger than a half dollar. IT had another small hole on the back side of the box that works off of vacuum (it only opens when the engine has a load). Otherwise the K&N gave the engine a nice low growl when accelerating. The throttle response also seem quicker. The larger filter allows a great volume of air flow.

Remove your CDV valve...better clutch feel...costs nothing.



Does this work for the 330i as well?

I think it will...if your 330 has the standard hydro clutch like on the 325.

The cdv is just a restrictor that adds resistance to the flow of the hydro fluid through the clutch line...without it the clutch is more responsive. BMW added it to make the clutch feel smoother, and probably to add driveability for people with less skill.

The cdv is just a restrictor that adds resistance to the flow of the hydro fluid through the clutch line...without it the clutch is more responsive. BMW added it to make the clutch feel smoother, and probably to add driveability for people with less skill.
CDVs also save transmissions and driveshafts at the expense of clutches (by reducing the shock of a launch or "power shift" by increasing clutch slippage during engagement). Often a manufacturer's obligation for transmissions and drive shafts outlasts their obligation for clutch wear.

Any one have before/after data on fuel economy with a CAI? Preferably with some context information (like what time of year the switch was performed)?