A friend of my brother is getting rid of his 92 bmw 316. I think it's the e36 model... Bodywork's pants (too many mods put on) but the engine's sweet, the only parts he's not replaced recently are the cylinders and block. It's got an lpg conversion fitted but it needs recalibrating.

So is this recalibration a big job, I mean should I get him to do that before I pick it up. Also is it possible to get a bigger gas tank? The idea is bigger gas tank, smaller petrol tank. Also anything I should look out for with regards to maintenance and fitting etc?

think theres at least 2 folk on here using E36s

Cool, also if anyone has an idea of what I should offer, just in case he doesn't know..

I think the recalibrating needs to have the injection timing and pressures etc set up again. Wouldnt be a problem for a pro. id get him to have it done then its one less thing you have to do.

Oh I remembered what I meant to ask about that... Is it something I'd have to do regularly (i.e. every year, x thousand miles etc) or would it be because he's thrashed it or changed something?

LPG should not need recalibrating, but it does require an engine in good condition to work correctly.

Poor sparks kill these systems so old plugs, small gaps tired leads will have a dramatic effect.

If its a donor is the LPG system still going to be valid?

nb/ I have run two p38 rangerovers on LPG, knocking on 100,000 miles on each system and did not have to recalibrate, one was a vapour venturi system, the other sequential injection. I set them up myself when installing, you just need the lead and laptop program (most programs are available free), its not hard to do.

When I did have problems it was due to the vaporiser diapham rotting, rebuild kits are only £15 - £20 SO its not a big problem.

Regards Mark

Not sure what kind of system it is, but he has replaced most of the engine parts (it has over 100k miles now)

As far as I know he's got no tax rebate or anything, it's an system that's been fitted by him and his mechanic brother in law so officially it's not there.

I'd be planning on shifting the kit wholesale and then (hopefully) getting a bigger gas tank

I'd flog the LPG stuff and run it on petrol. Consider how many miles most 7s do in a year you'll save money by sending the LPG to Ebay and therefore avoiding the need for re-calibration!!!

Oh no I'll be doing a fair few miles, it'll definately be of good use

apart from the LPG system, ask miks15 about using it as a donor, he is using one and is doing quite well i think. I'm using an E34 5 series and I have had to overcome a whole series of problems so far.