SEVERAL 528E QUESTIONS

[WVBMWLOVER]

These questions are in reference to my 1987 528e, build date 6/86.
First, I replaced the battery and lost my radio code so now I can't operate the radio. If I can't get this fixed, do I have to buy a new radio(wouldn't hurt to have a new anyway)? As I mentioned earlier about upgrades, I checked with Bavarian Auto and they of course have great stuff. They, along with Dinan, have a performance chip, exhaust systems, air intake systems etc. Do I HAVE to buy stainless steel exhaust(big $$$$)? Or can I find performance exhaust finished in normal metal? Who makes the best chip for the money? And how do I really know my car is an E28 series? Is there a way to get some of these accessories without taking out a loan from the bank? I just want to dress it up a bit i.e. angel eye headlights, new paint, new tires and larger wheels etc etc. I know the car is somewhat not the most desirable car to fix up, but it was my late father's car and I want to keep it. It's in really great condition, was always garaged, and it deserves a little extra. Thanks to all.

[KevinD]

RADIO: Verify the code is not stuck in with your owners manual or other paperwork for the car if you still have it. If not, you will have to remove the radio and take it to the dealer so they can pull the radio number off the back. They will then provide you the code. Just in case, take the vehicle registration in to prove you are the owner of the car and are not a radio thief...some dealer's request proof. Then...tatoo the radio code number on your left inner forearm. With code on arm, turn on radio and enter the 5 digits...bingo.
EXHAUST: Non-stainless system will last you 10-20 years. Stainless probably goes a tad longer, but verify stainless muffler guts are stainless too otherwise you're buying a pretty exterior with ugly interior. How long will you keep the car?...is stainless worth the extra bucks? You can probably do just as well with a reputable muffler shop who specializes in Bimmers...they could probably weld a custom system to your tastes and desires for 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of an over-the-counter hiperf system bolt-on. And don't go too large on your system or your torque, HP and fuel economy will take a nose-dive...you need a certain amount of back pressure for the gasses to get extracted from the engine via heat & pressure pulses. There are quite a few websites on sizing exhaust systems with good scientific explanations.
As for increasing intake air flow...just put in a higher flowing filter...like an Airflow Research. A larger intake is not going to do much good unless the throttle body is larger and intake mates to the larger opening on base of the TB and manifold is polished and perfectly matched to the head. Ideally, a new head that is ported and polished with a more radical cam and then of course you will want to add some proven headers (now were up to about $3000 in parts)
Remember you have an economy engine...don't overdue the upgrades without proper fuel delivery otherwise you'll lean out and start burning valves and possibly overheat the head/warp/crack...oh my! Higher cc/min injectors may be needed. Also, if your timing belt hasn't been changed in the past 30k miles or 5 years, change it out now.

[WVBMWLOVER]

Kevin, long replies are good sometimes. In this case, great b/c there is a lot of info I needed to make sound decisions. I hope to keep the car for years to come as it is part of the family. An old friend you might say. Everything you said made good sense i.e. exhaust sizing, costs, too lean a burn, etc. Some of which I didn't know, some I did. Every little bit helps. Too bad, but the radio code is no where to be found in the manuals. A local guy did it for my dad years ago. The timing belt was changed recently so that one is good to go.
Thank you for your time in responding. I appreciate other BMW owners sharing their experience and knowledge. Cheers. Dan

[Earlyshark]

There's also a website for free downloads of Electronic Troubleshooting Manual. I downloaded for the '87 535, but they are available for 325's to 740's. I also printed mine, very handy so you can use it easier.

[jimoreno]

Do you know if you have a "super eta"? Does your factory muffler have twin outlets? If this is the case there is not much you can do to your engine. The most bang for the buck in an eta is to change the rear differential from the 2.93 ratio in order to improve acceleration. You won't gain much from intake modifications.
If you do have a regular eta (single outlet muffler) the best way to go is an "e to i" conversion. This requires parts from a 325i but will give you a true horsepower increase (about 50%). There is great info here

[TJ]

In the previous thread he listed his production date, and it was too early to be the "super eta."

I don't know why you say the standard eta is any better a candidate for an e-to-i swap. With the super-e you have the benefit of a better exhaust system, probably a shorter diff, and Motronic 1.1 already installed. Plus you already have an 885 head.

I would agree though that there isn't much power to be gained on any 528e without opening it up and at least replacing the cam and valve springs.

[WVBMWLOVER]

My car does have only ONE outlet so that makes me believe it is NOT a super ETA. From reading your post, Kevin and Jim, sounds like I may get into a lot of engine revisions to make more power. I don't think I want to do that much work right now. It also appears that maybe an exhaust system on THIS car would really only give me a better sound and not much power. Do you think a Dinan chip would help even if I didn't improve the exhaust? If not, then I am resigned to keeping the car bone stock and just making some cosmetic changes. I drove it yesterday on interstate and it ran 85mph easily with no fuss or bother. So am I just better off to leave it as is and add some nice Borla s/s twin tips to the single pipe(which really looks sick) and save my money maybe for some nice upgrades i.e. wheels, tires, conservative body kit????? Thanks for all the great info. I kind of figured this was not a speed racer, nor did I really intend it to be, just maybe a bit quicker on the interstate merge etc. Otherwise, a around-town driven car. Cheers to all.