1. I've blown out all the speakers. Every last one of them. What speakers work well in it?

2. I've got an Alpine CDA-9833 head unit. Is there way to get a line out for this? (I'm interested in seeing if I can plug my iPod into the radio).

3. Is it possible to do an engine swap with a 323i? My dad told me the 2.3 out of that car is also an inline-4; nothing like a little extra punch.


Thanks in advance for any and all help!

1) The backs are 5.25 I believe and the fronts are 5.25/3.5/1
2) Don't you mean line in? Yes, it does have an aux input.
3) The 323i uses a 2.5 6 to my knowledge. Is there a major problem with the current engine?

The 9833 doesn't have aux-in by default, you have to buy a box that plugs into the Ai-adapter cable on the back. But Alpine makes an iPod in box that allows you to control the iPod on the deck... why not get one of those?

Did you have an amp running those speakers? I'm guessing no... but you'd still have to turn a deck up ear-splittingly loud to blow the stock speakers. Off the deck power alone, any aftermarket speakers (of the proper size) would work.

Dashel: Yes, a line-in is what I was talking about; I just didn't know the proper phrase for it. Thanks for the heads-up on the speaker sizes!
There's no problem with my current engine... but there's also nothing wrong with having more power.

threetonesun: I wasn't aware that Alpine sold that; I'll take a look at their website and see about it.
I didn't have an amp, but I really was listening to the music a good deal louder than I should have been. And I wouldn't say that they're completely blown, but any sort of bass will produce some... scratchy-sounding? distortion type business. So I figure it's high time to replace them.

Yup, the iPod adapter is $100, the aux-in box is $29 IIRC. I have the iPod adapter, it works really well, and it's a nifty little gadget.

As for the speakers, yeah, you probably blew them loose from their housing, which is suprisingly easy to do. If you're running off of the headunit (no external amp), look for coaxial speakers that are good for 50-100W a piece.

Thanks for clarifying threetonesun. I highly recommend dynamating the front speaker enclosures as they are very prone to vibration. I used Alpine components up front in my E36 and just put a sub in the trunk (or stealthboxes if you prefer work great too).

I'll tell you this right now, enjoy the car for what it is. It will never win any drag races even with an engine swap. If you drop money anywhere start with general maint (there are a ton of items getting ready to go out on you if it hasn't been kept up on service). Performance wise, get a Conforti chip. I think you underestimate the amount of work involved in an engine swap.

threetonesun: I'm sorry, maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're saying, but are you telling me that I don't have to replace the speakers?

Dashel: My dad's a mechanic so, trust me, I'm under no illusions as to how difficult it would be. I was asking as to the feasibility more out of curiosity than anything else. I was also wondering if people around here might know something about the specifics of what would be required.

But I definitely love my car . Once it gets above 4,000 RPM there's a nice little kick. I'm having a bunch of problems with the windows right now; I'm trying to convince him to just replace all the switches and motors so that I won't have to worry about it anymore.

Considering that I only paid $1,500 for it... I'm pretty sure that I got a good deal, electronic gremlins or not.

And what's a Conforti chip?

As long as you know what you are getting into and aren't paying someone else to do it for you. Generally speaking it would still be easier to just buy a 6 cyl for the time, money and effort it would take. If you are dead set on trying here are a few things to keep in mind. First, your tranny won't need modification as they each use the same Getrag componet. You will need to replace the ECU and all accociated wiring/sensors. Another big hurdle for you is that you want to put an ODBII engine in an ODBI car. If you want more specifics stop on by the Roadfly forums. There are a ton of threads about this very question.

The concensus still is that it isn't worth the time and effort to do so. I would suggest verifing the maint items and start rebuilding subsystems first. At 100K you are due for a complete cooling/suspension overhaul along with several other misc items (including your window motors). As I mentioned before, its still not going to be 'fast' in a drag sense of the word. Improving your suspension system and air flow will have much more immediate results for less heartache IMO.

Conforti is just a highly recommended aftermarket performance chip. Dinan also makes a good one but I've always prefered the former. Best $200 and 20 min you can spend on an E36.

No, you should

All I was saying is they're not blown in the sense that they'll never work again, they're blown in the sense that it sounds like the woofer cone seperated from it's housing. Hardly worth fixing if they're just crummy stock speakers. One of my speakers did the same thing, it was incredibly annoying to listen to. I put some infinitys in, and all was better

i could have just read that wrong, but are you sugesting suspension modification will make the car faster in a drag race?

Sqube: what year is your car? how many miles does it have? do you like the body style etc etc.

hay, maybe i should read the full title before i start asking stupid questions hu. (year)
i would still like to know the milage though.

forget 323 just save up for an m3 engine

can you get an m3 engine in a 318?!

I believe he was implying a better suspension will make it a more fun car to drive. Although a properly tuned suspension helps your drag time, it doesn't take rocket science to tune a good drag setup. On the other hand, even a slow car that can pull 1g is fun to drive

I believe he was implying a better suspension will make it a more fun car to drive. Although a properly tuned suspension helps your drag time, it doesn't take rocket science to tune a good drag setup. On the other hand, even a slow car that can pull 1g is fun to drive

i supose. depends on your application. i for one do not like stiff suspension in my street car, i did not buy the wrx sti because i dont like the rough ride, stock wrx suspension does me good.
also, i am intarested in hearing how you tune your suspension to get better 1/4 mile et's

in all honesty, with all those repairs, you'd be better of buying a 323i

Well, I also own a WRX, so I can say there are a lot of things you could do to it that wouldn't make it any worse of a ride and still make it corner better.

As for a better suspension for the 1/4, it's not really an issue on a car like this. But on a high powered car on stock suspension, accelerating will push the car down on the rear wheels, and shifting will rock it back forward. So a stiffer suspension and working on keeping lift down under acceleration will help you're ability to run the 1/4.

And, wheels are the main part of the suspension. I'm sure you know how they help

Dashel: Good point as far as knowing what I'm getting into is concerned; my dad told me it would be "a lot of work," but you've given me an idea of some of the specifics, which is what I was looking for. He already think I drive too fast as it is; he's less than enthused about letting me put some more giddy-up in my car. To his credit, I do drive with... alacrity.

Nose Nuggets: I'm somewhere around the 150,000 mile mark, but I'm not sure where precisely. When I get back to my car (if I remember) I'll post back and give the exact number.

threetonesun: Yeah, I know wheels are better. The guy I bought it from put different BMW rims (the 325i ones if I'm not mistaken) and Yokohama tires on it.


Thanks for all the posts and whatnot. Anybody got any favorite speaker companies?

Infinity makes decent fairly inexpensive ones. The reference series, the kappas, I"ve been told, are very bright.

I'd stay away from Sonys and Pioneers. Not a big fan. But go to a local store and listen and pick out the ones you like best.

Best advice I have heard..
Go listen to them.
I am a big fan , of Morel,Dynaudio,Focal,MB Quart and older A/D/S. However none are inexpensive, but are worth every penny if the rest of the system is up to the same standard.

just remember, thers not only 150K miles on the engine, there is 150K miles on everything else. like, the chasis. i wouldent spend any money on it. and id ride the thing like i stole it till it broke.

but thats just me

As far as the performance thing is concerned, I wasn't really asking too seriously. It wouldn't make any sense for me to drop a significant amount of money into it (although that racing chip has piqued my interest...).

But the speakers... those have got to go. The sound quality is unacceptable at this point. 150,000+ miles or not, there's no reason to listen to ****ty speakers.

Amen brotha.

hahah
yes indeed.