Yesterday I got in a deal for some property a 1991 850i, 66k miles 2 sets of wheels, the originals and another set of 18s (he said they came off a 750, and they wear a M/// logo on the wheel). The car has been butchered somewhat, the previous owner was a man in his late 30s, in his mid life crisis. He attached a bolt down style aluminum wing, and also a bolt down style cowl hood scoop, so this leaves me with 20 small holes in the hood and 4 holes in the trunk, all have a removable sealant to prevent leakage. There was also various stickers scattered among a disgraceful paintjob. The stock exhaust is missing and replaced by two off brand mufflers (no sensors int he exhaust now either). The car cranks and runs beautifully although Ill admit, I dont like to be seen in it in its current state. Ive having a problem with the drivers side seat moving back, and Im a large guy so its very displeasing, also the driver window doesnt lower when the door is opened/closed, the passenger drops slightly (1/2" or so).The car is a 'water damaged' salvage titled car, which doesnt bother me too much, I plan to keep the car as my daily driver and turn my Camaro into a track car now.

Now onto my questions:

Performance wise, what can be done to these cars? Im used to classic american muscle and small block chevys.

OEM parts, is there still a resource for these cars?

Aftermarket, is there really one for these cars?

I do appreciate your time and thank you for any replies in advance.

Hi
Resources for the 8 owner:
www.wuffer.net
www.e31faq.com

On to the questions

The seat movement fix is addressed in the E31faq

Windows--There is a relay module in the drivers door sill that is prone to water damage and probably needs to be replaced. There are also modules inside the doors for the windows.

Not a heck of a lot of performance or aftermarket for these cars. Small production numbers make what is available rather expensive. Chips and a differential change are the best for the buck.

Virtually all of the OEM parts are still available from BMW We get a substantial discount from http://buybmw.com/access.aspx on 8 series parts.

Fun to drive but really difficult to make street quick. They do Fast really well though:)

I appreciate the response and the info,
The car is fast and seems to have a nice powerband, doesnt ever seem to wanna slow down. Which is a different fast than Im used to, not a 1/4 car at all. As far as looking into a chip and the dif. change, whats recommended among you guys?

Are there any TT'd or Twin SC'd 850is running around?

From what Ive read, and seen, the aftermarket is lacking, but these guys are stunning, very comfortable drive, quick and eye catching as well.

As far as the car audio aspect of the car, changing out the stock speakers, installing subs/amps, installing a new head unit and such, is there anything to watch out for?

Also, Lamborghini doors would looks nothing less than stunning on one of these cars, is there a pre-fab kit or am I going to have to get a universal kit and mod it, or just have one made from scratch?

Shrouded...Congrats and welcome.

As for chipping the car you can go with Wokke Chips (bimmerfreak@freenet.de or info@wokke.de) or Conforti Chips (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/contact.shtml). In order to determine what you may need for differential I need to know whether you have a 6 Speed or an Automatic. I went with a 3.15 on my 6 Speed.

As for Forced induction, DINAN made a few Twin Turbos. A friend of mine (John in DC) built his own Twin Turbo. He is currently developing a single S/C system with another friend of mine (Gerry) in UK as well as a Single Turbo System. John is currently in Japan but you can try to contact him at smith001-itsystems.net (Just replace the - with @).

I went with an Increased Displacement route. But it is very expensive. Hind sight is 20/20 and if I had to do it over again I would go for the Forced Induction.

The audio system on my car was professionally done. I went with Nakamichi Head unit, MB Quart Speakers, JBL Sub and Alpine amps. I should have gone for McIntosh amps and DSP. The weakest area of the stock system is the wires and the speaker level inputs for the stock Amp. You can only do so much with the stock wires. here are some interesting reads:

Gerry's Audio part 1 (http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e31/6542263-1.html)
Gerry's Audio part 2 (http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e31/6721573-1.html)

For Lambo Doors, look at the last post of this topic by RENE2001 (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=707278). He can give you more information on what he did and his thoughts.

Thanks Ahmed,

The car is an automatic, so if you could point me in the direction of chip which will give me a decent powergain but retain the gas mileage. Even though its not too great, no need to deepen the wound.

Are there any articles/posts on the TT 8series cars? I feel like perhaps in the future, that would be the route for me to take.

The audio system will be my first thing. The setup Gerry used it very very close to what Ill be doing, although I have different preference in brand names. I've done a lot of car audio work myself for my father who restores and modernizes classic chevrolets. So I will take this into my own hands. Chances are I will opt for a much louder sub, Kicker L7 or JL W7. Stock replacements will be memphis audio and Ill go with Hiphonics or Kicker for the amps. Ive yet to really start on this car as a project. But I have a feeling Ill be mountined a single sub much like Gerry did. Having access to my rear mounted batteries is a must :D

The doors look amazing on his car, it should of come that way from BMW. Thats a very beautiful and clean looking car as well.

As Ahmed303 sugggested,

As for chipping the car you can go with Wokke Chips (bimmerfreak@freenet.de or info@wokke.de) or Conforti Chips (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/contact.shtml) (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/contact.shtml).

Differential change from stock 3.15 to a 3.91 via possible M5 Rear.

Refer to E31faq.com:

- 33 Rear Axles # 4 "Procedure for swapping out stock 3.15 differential with a 3.91 differential (javascript:__doPostBack('QuestionsList$_ctl4$Link button5',''))"

The car is an automatic, so if you could point me in the direction of chip which will give me a decent powergain but retain the gas mileage. Even though its not too great, no need to deepen the wound.

The chip recommendations still stand with preferance to Wokke. As for the Differentials....the US model 850i came with a 3.64:1 ratio (referance E31.net) (http://www.e31.net/navtechnik_e.html). I would recommend 3.91:1 as suggested by 840ways. It will give you a better accelaration but skim a bit off the theoratical top speed of 177 MPH.

As for Dinan Twin Turbo there is plenty on the web.

Dinan Stage III Twin Turbo (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z2484/default.aspx)

Recap of John in DC Twin Turbo (http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e31/5230224-1.html)

The supercharger system is being developed by John in DC and Gerry. (http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e31/8237241-1.html)

Which will look like:

http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/SC1.jpg

Hmm the TT looks like it would be the way to go. Does Dinan still carry or a kit or am I going to to have to 'piece' one together?

Ahmed303,

Will John in DC & Gerry's Supercharge System have an 840Ci V8 application?

I am looking now and would like a Supercharged Forced Induction system in the near future!

840ways to C

Hmm the TT looks like it would be the way to go. Does Dinan still carry or a kit or am I going to to have to 'piece' one together?

Dinan do not have the TT program anymore. Your best bet is to contact John in DC and/or Gerry.

There is no more SC project from DINAN (They stopped in 2000). that did not stop Tom Gorgalis from getting his 840 SC'd.

His statement:

We estimate 460-475 crank horsepowers without nitrous.
I will tell you though, it is a real fun car now.
The pull in the midrange to redline is astonishing compared to stock.
0-60 should be in the high 4 second range and quarter mile times of 13 seconds at 112 mph.
0-100 mph should take high 10 seconds.
That is a six second improvement over stock.

http://membres.lycos.fr/technice31/840mod/v8mod21.jpg

But he sold it and moved on. He used the SC kit designed for the 540i from ESS.

Search this board (the E31 section) for supercharger and you will find my previous recommendations.

Checked in the and around the trunk space and found two baggies from DINAN, one holding an Performance Chip and install instructions and the other was a transmission chip and instructions. There was also a third little DINAN box with a chip, but Im not sure what chip it is. Also is there a way to tell if the chips are stock or actual DINAN chips?

There should be some #s printed on them. The following picture is the Engine Chip. The Third chip could be the Transmission Chip with a printed # D902-0228 on them (I like the tranny chip. It moves the shift points. BMW should have done that from the beginning).

http://members.roadfly.com/faisal_in_laurel/DinanChip1.JPG

I wonder if previous owner already swapped the chips with Wokke or another.