318ti w/ DASC vs. 328ti

[illwilll]

I currently own a corrado vR6 and am looking to buy a compact (rwd!). However, I have been spoiled by the corrado as the vR6 is truly an awesome engine. The shortcomings of the corrado seem to be the strong points of the ti, reliability and rwd. Thus, my question is which of the two would be a tougher project, and what are the costs involved? Keep in mind I'm a terrible DIY and have limited tools. Furthermore, which car is more desirable DASC or m54? Thanks

[96cali]

Start here:

http://www.318ti.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=26

[DocDuvi]

M54 is e46 engine! what do you want to compare it with the Ti?

[3DGE]

Originally Posted by DocDuvi

M54 is e46 engine! what do you want to compare it with the Ti?

With some work you can put a m54 in the ti!

[ATF]

The DASC I believe is less work, I don't have any personal experience with it though so my opinion is probably nullified by this. The DASC is essentially a bolt on unit where you don't have to pull the engine out along with the drive train. However you may want to upgrade some or all of your drive train with the DASC anyways! Again with the added power, the more components that need upgrading (this is true in both cases). Which is more work? I can't tell you. Which is more desirable? I cant tell you. Engine Swap sounds awesome, but so does a supercharger.

[96cali]

Originally Posted by ATF

The DASC I believe is less work, I don't have any personal experience with it though so my opinion is probably nullified by this. The DASC is essentially a bolt on unit where you don't have to pull the engine out along with the drive train. However you may want to upgrade some or all of your drive train with the DASC anyways! Again with the added power, the more components that need upgrading (this is true in both cases). Which is more work? I can't tell you. Which is more desirable? I cant tell you. Engine Swap sounds awesome, but so does a supercharger.

What he said.

The DASC can be done in a weekend in you're good and has to be considered much easier than a swap AND it's reversible and sellable when you go to sell the car. It's $2850 on Group Buy plus shipping and yields by most accounts around 190hp. It does a bit more with software and pulleys and such. The most documented hp I've seen is on Lisa's ti here http://www.understeer.com/images/318ti/318ti_dyno.jpg at 190hp/161tq and 200hp/171tq (stock DASC vs DASC with Technique Tuning software). That is about the limit of what you can squeeze out of this motor with the DASC.

A 2.8 motor ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M52 ) is rated at 190hp/207tq and can be had for $1200-$1500 plus accessories, etc. It's a lot of labor and not simple but has been done a lot, also with the e36 M3 engine the S52 (240hp). There is an aluminum 2.8 that saves 60lb in weight over the iron block 2.8. Though I have not done a swap my impression is that the mechanical is straightforward but the electrical requires having your ducks in a row. The added torque begs for upgrading other parts of the drivetrain but is not required if you don't abuse it (many will disagree).

BTW my wife goes gaga for Corrados since she had a green/tan '92. That was a fun car! What is the weight of a Corrado and it's hp with the VR6?

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by 96cali

The added torque begs for upgrading other parts of the drivetrain but is not required if you don't abuse it (many will disagree).

This is key.

That said...I've been running the DASC for ~50k miles now and love it.

I6 + turbo? Yes please. I6 alone? Not worth the work unless you are going to go the distance and FI it.

My thoughts rarely make any sense, and my logic is severely flawed.

[marko]

Stay with the Corrado (& upgrade that)!! IMO

Originally Posted by illwilll

I currently own a corrado vR6 and am looking to buy a compact (rwd!).

[illwilll]

I envision the corrado becoming a weekend car and the ti the everyday car. the thing i like about the supercharger is that the fuel economy is not sacrificed as much as with the I6. my corrado is a swapped engine car (it is a g60 chassis) and the electricals a truly a pain in the ass. but then again its a VW. is a stock 318ti really that slow?

Weight of the corrado is 2900 lbs with the swap,
2.9L VR6 --> 190 hp
run of the mill 2.8L VR6 --> 172 hp

but the beauty of the VR6 isn't peak hp but the torque and the super wide power band. down low it pulls like a tractor, up high it roars like a v8.

[DocDuvi]

VR6 is best engine ever!! ha I used to have on miss it I also miss my GLI 2.0 16v kicked some arseee

[96cali]

Originally Posted by illwilll

is a stock 318ti really that slow?

Not really. IMO and if you get a few mild mods (exhaust, CAI, software) a 5 speed is very fun and can be considered zippy or maybe quick-but never fast.

[ATF]

Originally Posted by 96cali

Not really. IMO and if you get a few mild mods (exhaust, CAI, software) a 5 speed is very fun and can be considered zippy or maybe quick-but never fast.

Dont forget about losing the spare tire around your waist mod. That'll help out too

[marko]

as it seems you are planning to spend some money on tuning anyway, check this out...

http://www.eiptuning.com/eip/vwturbosystems.html

but if you dont like turbos, you can always opt for a supercharger for your
VR6... a guy I know has a Mk3 GTI VR6 with a Vortech SC (though I'm sure there are many more SC systems for VDUBs out there, like in the link below) & is pushing about 270-280hp I'm told (and it was no harder to instal than the DASC).

http://www.vf-engineering.com/index...._vw_mk4VR6.php

& you already got the perfect tub & mill (IMO, of course)...

Originally Posted by illwilll

I envision the corrado becoming a weekend car and the ti the everyday car. the thing i like about the supercharger is that the fuel economy is not sacrificed as much as with the I6. my corrado is a swapped engine car (it is a g60 chassis) and the electricals a truly a pain in the ass. but then again its a VW. is a stock 318ti really that slow?

Weight of the corrado is 2900 lbs with the swap,
2.9L VR6 --> 190 hp
run of the mill 2.8L VR6 --> 172 hp

but the beauty of the VR6 isn't peak hp but the torque and the super wide power band. down low it pulls like a tractor, up high it roars like a v8.

[96cali]

Originally Posted by ATF

Dont forget about losing the spare tire around your waist mod. That'll help out too

That's the buy-a-bicycle-and-not-a-car mod.

[Mad-Machine]

also, do not judge the Ti by the numbers.. yes, it is 8 something to 60.. but that requires a shift to third at 50.. so that slows the time down.

I was recently out with a bunch of other BMWs in King of Prussia.. honestly, I was not that much slower and I was able to carry more speed through the corners (even if I was sideways through some of them)