Do Performance Chips Work? | Testing An E30 Chip Tune

Hey Everyone,
Today we are doing a bit of myth-busting on the E30. In our quest to make the car as much fun as possible, the search for more power is pretty inevitable. Online performance chips claim to make a big difference but I've always been curious how true that is. Today we are going to toss one in the car and see if we can feel a difference.
Consider liking and subscribing for more.
Thank you for watching.
Parts list(not sponsored)
turner chip:www.ecstuning....
door handle: www.ecstuning....

[@botterboysypher9569]

Leave it naturally aspirated but add ITBs

[@Edgaraskebab]

Not worth if its not a race car, because you need to rev engine to the redline for itbs "extra hp". Much cheaper and better option - build a stroker with a little bit aggressive cam.

[@Grooty79]

​@@Edgaraskebabitbs make more torque and HP so they can be fitted to a daily, so a well built stroker with itbs is the better option

[@Edgaraskebab]

@@Grooty79 moneywise - not worth. Itb + new ecu + coil per cylinder ignition system (+new wiring) + ecu mapping. If he has a huge bag of money - okay, do it 😁

[@Grooty79]

@@Edgaraskebab yes it's worth the $$ 300+rwhp in an e30 that's well setup is sooooo much fun, gotta pay to play champ, we build lots of e30s, NA turbo and supercharged, they all have a place in the world depending on customer and car use, FIRST mod on any e30 build should be aftermarket ecu and new engine loom with individual coils, just a standalone usually gains 20hp as you can tune the engine properly,

[@bennyb.1742]

​@@Grooty79wouldn't a 24v swap be more economical $/HP ratio for a daily? Mine's a "ghetto stroker" Super eta jobby and I'm thinking stock-ish M54 swap.

[@twinturbo1989]

Love your work. If it were my car - I would continue N/A because it keeps the e30s character and although it does not sound like much the ITB SPEC e30 is immediate in every way. Plus supporting brakes and diffs and transmissions will even make it less expensive in the end, not that it would matter

[@WhitelandRestorations]

That was the most polished video I've seen in ages. I'm going with the war tuning chip and miller maf in my E30, the chip has a programmable map and 3 tunes ones to choose from! You get a cool switch to switch through the maps 😁 I'll also do a video of the installation. Keep up the excellent video making

[@lionelmessi1847]

А можете поделиться файлом bin с чипа ?)

[@sskkkkiiii]

Criminally underrated. Just found ur channel and binged most of the videos

[@HunterDirection]

Hey I really appreciate that! I am thrilled to hear you have enjoyed the videos that much!

[@kierantilley2590]

The videography on this was really great. Subscribed! Interested to see more on the E30 and Audi

[@HunterDirection]

I am happy to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you a ton for the support!

[@lukemichaluk4674]

Love e30's and Tarantino influenced work. These videos are the combination I didn't know i needed. Love em Hunter. So inspiring. I've been driving e30's for almost 25 years. I vote 24v swap fwiw. I've got ~100k miles in my s50b32 swapped car and it's been so good. There is a reason why swapped cars are ao popular. They just plain work when done right.

[@vicelse8980]

What he said. Production values off the charts. Chuggin' along with the TT, following your work on the, "fixes." Thank you.

[@LordHolley]

I have has several E30s from 318s to M3s. I've stuck S50/S52 engines in them. It absolutely transforms the car while still keeping it factory reliable. AC, quite, and awesome. That mod is getting harder to do ($$$), but worth saving up for.

[@ridgemontdr]

Really enjoy watching your videos. Good job!

[@HunterDirection]

I am happy to hear that! Thank you a ton for the support!

[@manosfilippou7244]

itb, headers, pure driver enjoyment light car good handling whould be for me

[@motoboy420ify]

Great E30 content and excellent cinematography! Dope!!!

[@zululeppard]

Perhaps there should be a plastic vapor/water barrier stuck to that black gum in the door before putting the door card back.

[@Nightwalker86]

I'm going to do a proper write-up here. Please give me a thumbs up or a response if you have read my message. I had a B5 S4 as my last car, and modified it to a proper Stage 3 setup- bigger turbos, exhaust, ECU tuning, all supporting components. It was about spec'd to match the performance of a first year R8. I loved it, but moved to an E30 318is afterward. I've had that car for 3.5 years now and totally overhauled the entire car to OEM+ spec. Here's my opinions on what you should do, knowing what I know now- First, keep the car to a stock M20B25, and set it up with the S3.73 LSD with the factory 25% clutch disc lockup if you don't already have it (I don't know your build specifics). A flawless execution of this really is the bread and butter of the platform. Speaking from experience, you will get bored of or used to added power quickly. This car was also not built to have meaningfully more power, and you will end up with an engine that's too competent for it's chassis. It's very easy to accidentally add too much power for the chassis, or add too much handling and end up with a car that's gobs of grip but no engine like a fat Miata. You might think you can add both, but then you don't have a cohesive driving experience. All combinations of those ruin the sweetness of what makes the E30 so great to begin with. I respect the bucket list idea, but would apply it to a more competent chassis that can actually handle an increase in power. The B5 S4 has a similar ish problem, and we can talk about it more at length if you like. Second, I would encourage you to join our E30 Discord server. I found this video because it was posted there. Having other people to compare yourself with really helps, and it's a good group in general. Here is the server link, and a recently published article with my E30 for reference. discord.gg/csF5J7a7 bimmerlife.com/2023/10/05/long-live-the-car-forum-an-international-r3vlimited-meetup/

[@Petroleum_Bear]

What a great video mate! I thought you were some guy with millions of subs :)

[@RyanFannon-fy1yf]

Let’s go hunter🤘🤘. Always look forward to your videos. Keep rocking bud.

[@HunterDirection]

I'm stoked to hear you are enjoying them! Thank you for the support!

[@RyanFannon-fy1yf]

Boost the e30. Although the sound of ITBs is awesome, boost is the way to go.

[@HunterDirection]

@@RyanFannon-fy1yf I think boost would be a blast! Total sleeper with the mismatched paint too haha

[@RyanFannon-fy1yf]

@@HunterDirection absolutely wouldn’t change it at all. Stupid fun street ripper.

[@bennyb.1742]

I love your perspective on working on cars coming from being an Audi guy. I got a job at an Audi shop and rage quit the first time i had to dismantle half a car to change a battery.

[@wumbustransport]

Hey, absolute joy stumbling upon this build series. I'm commenting to ask what style rims you running in this video? Thanks & best of luck!

[@mattyb1624]

To save time, skip the rambling to 20:00

[@LeotasGarage]

keep up these videos your way better than most all the main content creators out there! can't wait for more videos you'll make it to the top!

[@MikeFicsacardi]

Loving each build series, great selection of cars to build up!

[@HunterDirection]

I am happy to hear you are enjoying them! Thank you for the support!

[@yensycarty5842]

Great content brother, I’m definitely following for that turbo upgrade because I’m also going that route. I’m gonna need all the direction possible and you are my guy. Keep it going. Rooting on your build!!

[@masonmontgomery9554]

You should go with what you want the car to be, and to me it sounds like going itb’s would be the better option in you case. Make it a driver’s car that’s a blast to drive instead of having a high horsepower car that spins the wheels through 3rd gear. You just can’t enjoy it nearly as much around curvy backroads

[@vivalapete7504]

I’ve got an e30 and an M2. I like boost. So fast. But NA e30 feels great around town. To me, it’s so much fun. I’d keep it NA or swap the engine out for an NA that has more power. Specially if it’s not a race car

[@jsonlangton8682]

As a new e30 guy. A much older one than you i am confused with the NA vs Turbo decision too. I want a stroker and ITBs because they loo so amazing. But I think you have convinced me its induction time as i can do it myself.

[@AliasHSW]

Got the e30 M42 NA here. Would keep it NA with ITB and learn to drive it momentum. Remember seeing an old 911 on track vs an early 2000 Mustang. It was so much fun was watching the old 911 NA keeping its momentum through Laguna Seca.

[@sheilajones2032]

S50 transplant into E 30 IS SO WORTH IT. HAD MINE FOR 15 YR. COUNTLESS TRACK DAYS . RUNS LIKE A CLOCK. NO FAILURES! VERY FAST ON SHORT CLUB TRACKS. SOLD MY E30M3 SINCE IT COULDNT KEEP UP.

[@ilyakosterin8368]

Well, our man got a side quest💪 Love your work

[@ci-ci42]

What about a supercharger? It would match the characteristics of the NA motor way more than a turbo. Greetings from Germany

[@HunterDirection]

Man I've looked into that so much recently. It would have to be mostly custom as there aren't too many options for the m20. Only one I could find was almost 7k and wouldn't ship to the states either😅 We may have to save the super for when I inevitably pick up an e36 haha

[@mattb6633]

@@HunterDirectionHyde motorworks is developing some.

[@griffsmotorthings]

I'm subbed and here for the B5 content, but the sprinkle of other cars are ok too! Fun film style.

[@Sams_editss]

These videos are seriously so good!!!!

[@HunterDirection]

I really appreciate that! Thank you for the support!

[@cameronfish6623]

Personally. Leave it N/A. Maybe not even ITB it. Stroker, headers, poly bushings, tighter rack. Go enjoy it on some backroads. If you’re looking for a second opinion on a turbo e30 m3nameisjosh have a video reviewing a 400 wheel m20. Or Kameron at KA Motors. What I’ve heard is it’s just a little too much and scary. Worst case, you do the ITB’s, dont like em, buy a plenum and slap the turbo on alongside the itb’s. Imo, turbo would kill its character.

[@Average1212]

good camera work, good editing and splicing, just need to clean up the script a bit there are too many actually's and it pulls from your narrative. Once again great presentation and story building.

[@luukvanoijen7082]

Another fantastic video, I love these so much. Can't wait to see what direction you are going with the e30, my vote lies with a turbo. It might not be the most authentic thing to do, but I love turbo cars and I love the e30 so why not combine em :)

[@Boolin4life]

Well done!

[@joseherrera5264]

Maybe Redux Racing's M20 ITB kit? I'm considering that for my 325i. It's a vert so I wanna shut up sedan owners calling it slow, heavy, and boaty.

[@HunterDirection]

Verts are sweet! That itb kit would sound great with no top!

[@superkidawesome]

Think if you were to be on a track then ITBs would be great especially if there's a weight/class system in place to compete in but for a fun sleeper street car a turbo would be the better direction not only for hp per dollar but that hit of boost kicking in , in my opinion, is far more addicting and fun drive

[@damionblazer7139]

FIRST! keep up the great work

[@HunterDirection]

Thank you a ton! I appreciate the support!

[@Tierod86]

SSSQUID tuning is also big in chip tuning for E30s

[@guitarman376]

Was the car properly warmed up before the baseline test?

[@HunterDirection]

Yes it had been running for a while. The editing made it seem a lot faster than real life haha

[@Grooty79]

NA all day, 320hp is possible from a 3 liter m20 if you spend the money in the right places , 350-400hp can be had NA from the m20 but its quite a crazy build and not for fairies to undertake 🤪🤪🤪

[@318isGood]

So im a little biased here, but i have an M42 in my 318is that people have told me to do NA + ITBs. My shop guy also said turbo lol. I think a strong NA motor will keep the character of the car more, but I just got my car back in July so what do i know. Overall I'd like to follow the ITB route personally, but this channel is so good id really watch anything you choose to do :)

[@nathanleon5039]

325e short block with the i head and a nice cam could be pretty nice dood 👍

[@BoHorror]

Just get a small turbo for the responsiveness, will add some power without losing the response

[@RizzstrainingOrder66]

awesome video, really nice to watch

[@maxblum3633]

Realy cool Videos. I have an e34 and would love to add power. The Chip i put in it was mildly noticable. Why Not ITBs first and then Turbo?

[@raduorban]

M52 swap. 2.8. Cheap . Alloy block ( won't unbalance the car) . Easy tuning. Plenty of bolt ons. 230hp crank easily achievable. Should feel fast on a e30

[@jeffkoch8612]

Get a vapor barrier and fresh butyl back under that door card!

[@HunterDirection]

Fantastic idea. All that stuff is on the way now. I didn't know about it when I pulled it first. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@jeffkoch8612]

@@HunterDirection That’s the only thing protecting your interior and door card from the elements. Doors are meant to pass water through them, the barrier protects the interior. Heavy mil plastic and a tube of butyl, you’re good to go! Love the content

[@smitr123]

😂😂😂I went to Turner Motorsports to buy this chip and no joke, it said "frequently bought together - front left interior door handle" 😂😂

[@HunterDirection]

😆😆😆 that's hilarious. Guess I wasn't alone in my issues😅

[@86Digilio]

Really enjoy your story telling through the camera. My 2 cents is NA.

[@BrandonDull]

I think its slightly faster / more responsive. i have a chip in my 91 e30 coupe

[@TomeeThe9]

You should replace the vapor barrier. Moisture will damage your door panel for sure without it.

[@HunterDirection]

Fantastic idea. I didn't know about that when I pulled it this first time but one is on the way now! Thank you!

[@swift__]

For itb’s I’d buy an e92 m3… sound, performance and overall experience will be much more fulfilling after your finished compared to the e30.. not that it will be a let down but…. Turbo and 380whp on the e30 will be leagues of fun and we’ll worth the effort, funds etc once your finished.. all imho of course ( unless you go stroker with itb’s and even then I’d prolly have it fog a little bit if nitrous.. but that’s just me🤦🏼‍♂️ lol ) im watching either way 🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@majoras51]

you make me want to get back to work on my e30

[@bradleyjeffries8848]

Itb’s sounds dope but I’m leaning more towards Turbo

[@deanirwin3645]

Keep it NA and do a swap for an E36 engine!! 😊

[@HunterDirection]

That would be really fun! My only concern is I've got plans to also pick up an e36 sometime and I want it to feel different enough when I do haha

[@race-it]

Why not boost and itb, itb first then turbo 😎

[@arionkramer]

i would love to see Itb‘s on this car

[@dootdoot6236]

As much of an NA person as I am, I think boosting this motor is the way to go. It's not too impressive N/A. A reasonably sized turbo without too much lag wouldn't hurt your driving dynamics, would check off your bucket list item, and would still be cool.

[@milesdzineku9940]

Great NA-T motor, boost is the way to go!!

[@ChubbySenpaii17]

Turbo is the way

[@tjkoenig1387]

Pls lemme know when u figure out how to fix the glovebox handle on the tt since those love to break😭

[@ryan302turbo]

Do supercharger and turbo twin charged

[@HunterDirection]

I 100% will twin charge a car on the channel someday! Dream goal of mine! I'd definitely want that car to have AWD though

[@jdm132]

Very good videos need more views

[@ashtn7]

I added a performance chip to mine as well. Turbo the car pleaseee! I’m thinking about boosting mine as well so if you do it I’m doing it as well

[@alexprovost4921]

Your gonna wish you boosted it if you go the itb route

[@HunterDirection]

I think you're probably right on that one. An NA build on an M car would make alot more sense. Especially with how the m20 responds to boost

[@ghettodwella]

the door handle lmao

[@FELIPE8226M]

S52 or S54 swap

[@user-mx8nr3sp6n]

S54 swap! And lovely video, too.

[@HunterDirection]

Man that would be awesome! Ill build an m car in the future too so I wonder if it would feel too similar though

[@ivancastillo7109]

You should do a k20 swap

[@HunterDirection]

Don't tempt me haha😆 that would be so much fun

[@Bilhan_ff]

Definitely keep it NA

[@denisvasilev1539]

4:54 i know what you are going through

[@tengkunasriabidintengkuzai7887]

Go with n/a

[@jonahlee3259]

Hey man! If you want some help with turbo information let me know! I have been working on my turbo E30 for about a year and I have learned a ton. Hit me up if you have any questions!

[@mariosnikolaou5212]

Turbo turbo!

[@Moocow444]

Turbo

[@Grimmjar]

Please upload in 21:9

[@HunterDirection]

I will try that for the next episode! I've heard that youtube like to compress ultrawide when uploaded like that but maybe they've gotten better.

[@Grimmjar]

@@HunterDirection Nice! 👍

[@HunterDirection]

@@Grimmjar I wanted to follow up with you! Looks like youtube disables some creator features when you upload in 21:9 because it's too wide🙃. Sadly I use those features so we will have to wait for that. The widest they allow with those features at the moment is 2:1 / 18:9 so I was able to widen this latest one a bit for you! Hopefully they increase it soon.

[@Grimmjar]

@@HunterDirection What a shame. Strange thing is, some can upload in 21:9.

[@HunterDirection]

@@Grimmjar yup! You can 100% upload in 21:9 and the video will play just fine. The issue is you aren't able to add video cards or end screen links as a creator if you do. Sadly I use those is all. Extra big bummer since I'm actually shooting in 21:9 and its not done in post😅

[@proxy.1909]

Sorry but you look like Bryce hall or however you spell his name, not a bad thing just a funny coincidence.

[@tarekejjaad3982]

turbo

[@teithansen8663]

Boost it👍😊

[@botterboysypher9569]

Noo NA with ITBs

[@teithansen8663]

@@botterboysypher9569 boost makes this engine come alive, NA no emotions.

[@clapinc]

Turbo it.

[@polloloci21]

Keep the stock engine- make everything original 🫣