Modding an M3?

Post Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:37 pm

Thinking of getting an M3 instead of a 2.7 so..............

Beyond the obvious differences such as handling and power delivery etc my only problem is that it seems quite expensive to get more from the S14 compared with the six.

I would want to know that i wouldnt miss the big lazy torque of a 2.7 or could gain it through mods..............although the S14 is always going to be a happy rever

So.......................

What are the mods that can be done to an M3 before you get to major money?

Post Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:42 pm

the biggest gain would be alpha-N/carbon airbox probably about 20hp.
Then it goes into mega bucks when it comes to 2.5 rebuild.
Cams will bring fair gain.
Supersprint race centre section brings 8hp

Post Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:59 pm

Just not sure if id be better off with a 2.7!

Post Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:00 pm

depends what you want the car for if its everyday 2.7 if its weekend then M3 and the M3 would handle alot better

Post Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:04 pm

What a horrible problem to have! :lol:

Decisions decisions...............................

Post Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:57 pm

for a daily driver i'd build a fresh 2.7

you wont want to rack up the miles on an M3

Post Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:04 pm

There`s and easy answer,

Just have both.

2.7L for long trips and a quick M3 for serious track fun.

S14 lumps are expensive to obtain power above 230Bhp and to gain in excess of 300Bhp will cost around 10K +

Regards,

dave

Post Tue Apr 11, 2006 11:12 am

M52 is better than doing a 2.7 by far and will good better fuel economy.

E30 M3 - drive one to see if you can live with it as a daily driver. The ride on standard suspension is surprisingly good. I can certainly drive one daily.

Post Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:02 am

DawieM3 wrote:
S14 lumps are expensive to obtain power above 230Bhp and to gain in excess of 300Bhp will cost around 10K +

dave

Not quite. I can sell you a turbo kit for a third of that which will run 330bhp.

If you don't belive me see the group thrash in next months Performance BMW mag.

Post Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:05 am

RowdyBurns wrote:
DawieM3 wrote:
S14 lumps are expensive to obtain power above 230Bhp and to gain in excess of 300Bhp will cost around 10K +

dave
Not quite. I can sell you a turbo kit for a third of that which will run 330bhp.

If you don't belive me see the group thrash in next months Performance BMW mag.

He means to get power from the engine itself without any bolt on extras.

Post Wed Apr 12, 2006 12:16 pm

Cheers guys for the advice - the M52 is the 3.5 from the e34 isnt it?

anyone know if white M3s are cheaper? (silly question?)

Post Wed Apr 12, 2006 12:46 pm

Simon wrote:
RowdyBurns wrote:
DawieM3 wrote:
S14 lumps are expensive to obtain power above 230Bhp and to gain in excess of 300Bhp will cost around 10K +

dave
Not quite. I can sell you a turbo kit for a third of that which will run 330bhp.

If you don't belive me see the group thrash in next months Performance BMW mag.
He means to get power from the engine itself without any bolt on extras.

So you mean with out changing the exhaust, without changing the air box, without changing the ecu etc....?????

I would class them as bolt on extras and i don't think you are going to do any tuning/power gain with out them.

WTF are you on about?

As far as i can see in one sentance you have ruled out pretty much every mod apart from maybe gas flowing the head and blueprinting the rest of the internals!!

Post Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:28 pm

RowdyBurns wrote:
Simon wrote:
RowdyBurns wrote: Not quite. I can sell you a turbo kit for a third of that which will run 330bhp.

If you don't belive me see the group thrash in next months Performance BMW mag.
He means to get power from the engine itself without any bolt on extras.
So you mean with out changing the exhaust, without changing the air box, without changing the ecu etc....?????

I would class them as bolt on extras and i don't think you are going to do any tuning/power gain with out them.

WTF are you on about?

As far as i can see in one sentance you have ruled out pretty much every mod apart from maybe gas flowing the head and blueprinting the rest of the internals!!

No need to get funny...you know exactly what I mean, without sticking a turbo or supercharger on the car...

Post Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:31 pm

Conan wrote:Cheers guys for the advice - the M52 is the 3.5 from the e34 isnt it?

anyone know if white M3s are cheaper? (silly question?)

M52 is the 2.5 6 pot found in the E36 325i & the E34 525 1992 onwards i think

Stevetigger is putting one in his cab at the moment, have a word with him

Post Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:42 pm

Ummm no the M50 is found in the Edirty6 325i and 525i of the same era.
M52 is found in the E36 323 and 328........................ dunno why though.
Tigger is putting an M50 in for some bounce!

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:52 am

Buy an M3, spend Ã‚£50 on a chip and you're done.

No point in spending any more money coz you'll struggle to get anymore out of an S14 without spending MEGA bucks.

Just my opinion.

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:57 am

TBH if you really want to go faster, buy a 911. That's what I'm after next

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:04 pm

Geeman wrote:Buy an M3, spend Ã‚£50 on a chip and you're done.

No point in spending any more money coz you'll struggle to get anymore out of an S14 without spending MEGA bucks.

Just my opinion.

Read your e-mail in Total BMW mate

Famous now!

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:11 pm

What E-mail...?

Just bought TBMW yesterday... nothing from me in there... I take it that the one with the E30 and 190 shootout is an old one then... bugger!

Do tell more!

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:15 pm

Geeman wrote:What E-mail...?

Just bought TBMW yesterday... nothing from me in there... I take it that the one with the E30 and 190 shootout is an old one then... bugger!

Do tell more!

Yeah, that's an old one, new one has a Schnitzer E36 on the front.

You are the Giles Ramsden with a fuel tank problem aren't you!?

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:22 pm

Hmmm have to go and buy TBMW now.... I never bother reading any of them TBH

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:22 pm

You are the Giles Ramsden with a fuel tank problem aren't you!?

I was that man.

Until last night, I was also Giles Ramsden with a nasty running problem that turned out to be an inlet cam sensor and a blocked one way breather valve.

Now I'm just plain old Giles Ramsden.

Will have to get the latest TBMW then and see my name up in lights!

Would also be interested in what they've said in reply...

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:30 pm

Geeman wrote:
Would also be interested in what they've said in reply...

You'll have to wait for that!!

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:23 pm

Simon wrote:
Geeman wrote:
Would also be interested in what they've said in reply...
You'll have to wait for that!!

scrap it!

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:45 pm

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:53 pm

ATL fuel cell, probably cheaper than replacement OE part

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:56 pm

You coming to the Ferry' meet at the end of the month?

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:00 pm

unfortunately i'm gonna miss that one as we are in Norwich that weekend, shame as i haven't seen your luxobarge yet

Post Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:02 pm

Will clean it and take pics this weekend... just for you.

Post Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:29 am

Got the bills for a Schnitzer converstion to 2.5 on my M3 done 5000 miles ago. Total Ã‚£5400. The guy I bought it of says 245bhp?

Post Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:55 pm

herman wrote:Got the bills for a Schnitzer converstion to 2.5 on my M3 done 5000 miles ago. Total Ã‚£5400. The guy I bought it of says 245bhp?

And for the same sort of money you (well the previous owner) could of done a 3.2 E36/46 conversion with a 6 speed box. Or even done "a Fuzzy" with a YB

It kindof sums up the problem with these cars. Everything is bloody expensive. Its no wonder people fit Turbos or change engines. When it costs Ã‚£2K for AN with Airbox, Ã‚£1000 (IIRC) for a pair of cams, Ã‚£500 for a Milltek. And then X amount to set it all up nicely. And all you get is 250 max, with better low end driveability as a result of the AN.

If you want to go for large power in the future Im not sure the S14 is the right engine to use as a base. In fact it might be better (re cheaper) in your case to buy a rolling shell and then fit whatever engine you like.

From s14.net

or

Post Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:01 pm

Ummmmmmmmm vlads car

Post Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:26 pm

i just sold m3, i didnt like it, if i was going to use it for track use then yes bang on, but i want a car i can just jump in and drive, the m3 isnt like a e30 its all thats the same is the bonnet and petrol flap, nice car but not for me

Post Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:32 pm

I have to agree, s14 engines are way to expensive to tune. If i do decide to keep my M3 long term i will probably drop in an s52 engine like on vlads car.

Either that or sell it when im 23 and buy a 911

Post Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:41 pm

iil325i wrote:i just sold m3, i didnt like it, if i was going to use it for track use then yes bang on, but i want a car i can just jump in and drive, the m3 isnt like a e30 its all thats the same is the bonnet and petrol flap, nice car but not for me

Thats a very interesting point actually. The M3 is a little too focused for everyday poodling through town. Sure I commute 45 miles a day in mine. But for it to be enjoyable I have to really drive it . Theres not much torque below 3-3.5 so its not the most relaxing car for that task. I reckon a 6 cylinder would have the legs on it below that threshold.