E36 M3 Power Upgrades and Weight Reduction | Need Suggestion

[m3f_kyrix1st]

Wrong. The V6 Camry has 268hp.

http://www.autotrader.com/car-info/c...it-have-146396


In the end, you'll butcher a perfectly good car by spending a bunch of money only to end up with something worth less than what you started. Like Maynard said earlier, HP gains are a 'fools errand'.


To each his own.

Wrong, the S50B32 has 321hp. It is even stated on the E36 M3 Section.

[m3f_kyrix1st]

I disagree with egg that OP will end up with something worse than what he started with. If you are talking about reliability wise, all the race built engines suffer from being "less reliable" than the original engine but that's not what they are about. With about 3-5k on engine mod, I reckon that OP will match whp of a S54 if not more.

[m3f_MaynardZed]

I think the OP has an Euro M3 3.2 so probably even more difficult to pull out more HP (100hp/L, that is already impressive for a N/A engine...)

Additionally, on this engine the oil pan has baffles already and reinforced oil pump.

Sorry, missed that. All the more reason, though, to not messed with it since that's a beautiful engine as it sits. Of course, outside the US, they are not "rare" so other parts of the world have a different view of the engine.

[Obioban]

My S50B32 had headers, cams, intake, pulleys, and an alpha N tune on the factory ecu. Ended up ~380 at the crank, though the bottom end was fairly gutted.


S54 isn't a terrible route to go if you're looking for more power-- mine is ~430 crank hp with bolt ons/cams/tune (factory ECU), without a gutted bottom end (though, to be fair, I put much higher quality parts on the s54 than my S50B32).

[m3f_propchef]

M240 and call it a day.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

If you have folding seats, you have to expect a bit more noise but nothing dramatic...

Excellent. Thanks.

+1, engine upgrades may be a bit on the expensive side for the HP in return.



I can't attest to whether or not upgrading the suspension will make it more alive because I haven't picked up my own e36 but I would imagine upgrading your suspension will help give it a better feel and provide a thrill during track days. The cost would be comparable to whatever it would of costed to upgrade the engine components suggested by Jim E.



You should read up on fiveightandten's write up (http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=300562).



Great information and gives a bit more background as to what to expect from this car.

Thanks. Looking into getting a suspension as well.

Chasing horsepower on this platform is a fool's errand. If you want to do a simple tune and some bolt ons, do it, but don't expect huge gains. I have pretty much every bolt-on you can buy, cats deleted, etc. and I put down 237 rwhp on a DynoJet.



I built my 1999 E36 from completely stock to a full blown race car over the last 4 years. The biggest single upgrade was when we transformed the suspension. It's best to do it in one shot by someone who knows what they are doing. I paid a race shop to do my suspension and told him to set it up the way he would for himself (the owner has been racing these cars for years). Totally transformed the car. It drives like a damn go cart, just gobs and gobs of grip. You can get back on the gas WAY earlier than other more powerful cars so your corner exit speed is tremendous. It takes higher horsepower cars half the straight to catch back up to you and then you're usually back on his ass by the braking zone.



Video of my latest race (race starts at 1:20). The red corvette (and radicals) have way more horsepower and is two classes up from me, but you notice how I'm catching him in the turns for awhile. My E36 is way easier to drive near its limit too. You're always the "underdog" in this car, but thats what makes it so rewarding!



Other areas to significantly help with performance: weight reduction, rear differential, driveline. Don't forget welding / wiring the oil pump nut and oil pan baffles which is mandatory for any track driven E36. Also highly recommend sold motor and diff mounts.

Very nice video. You drive very well. Thanks for the suggestion. Getting a suspension for sure.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

S54 swap. 310 whp and 8250 rpm to play with.

Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe in the distant future.

He's got the euro 3.2L motor so it may be more effective to do headers and intake to get that whp over a full swap.

Thanks. That is my thinking as well.

Wrong. The V6 Camry has 268hp.

http://www.autotrader.com/car-info/c...it-have-146396



In the end, you'll butcher a perfectly good car by spending a bunch of money only to end up with something worth less than what you started. Like Maynard said earlier, HP gains are a 'fools errand'.



To each his own.

I agree with you to a great extent. For me modding cars is like a disease. I just cant help it.

If we are talking swapping engines I believe the best band for buck is an LS swap. Then bolt-ons on top of that can make big differences there.

Thanks. Engine swap will have to wait, quite a while.

You should look in here for some info. There is a slightly more active euro ownership/modification forum on BF. http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/fo...9-Euro-M3-(E36)

Thanks. Appreciate the advice.

just be sure to tread wisely, you dont want to ruin the characteristics of the s50b32 by trying to make numbers that look nice on paper but make driving more of a chore. this would be anything more than mild schricks cams and "race" exhausts done poorly that really hurt the bottom end.



chances are the car is down on power from how it first left the factory so money should be spent restoring lost power first with vanos refresh/checks, valve clearances, plugs, make sure all sensors working, injectors are clean etc

Thanks. How can I check/refrest vanos. Got a new MAF sensor and the injector cleaning service done.

I think the OP has an Euro M3 3.2 so probably even more difficult to pull out more HP (100hp/L, that is already impressive for a N/A engine...)

Additionally, on this engine the oil pan has baffles already and reinforced oil pump.

Thanks. Good to know that the oil pan has baffles already.

Not sure what you're trying to get out of these mods, but here's my two cents.



Spend your money on safely, suspension, brakes and tires and then extra track days.



If you want to be faster, get more seat time with the power you have. I spent 12 years on an underpowered stock, tired motor (in my Mustang, not the M3). I had a really good suspension and brakes and moved up to racing tires and I learned to be fast by being smooth and keeping my speed up everywhere. Even before I went to a new motor, I found myself passing most everyone (except the big HP guys whose egos wouldn't let them lift to let a "slower" car by).



There's a lot to be said about learning to be fast in an under-powered car: most the guys who start with gobs of HP never seem learn how to be fast in the turns (they just mash the gas on the straights and then mash the brakes as they come in way too hot for the turns).



Seat time - that's what it's all about... Oh, and passing the $150,000 super car in your low budget toy... Yeah - that too.

Thanks. Definitely getting a suspension. I understand what you are saying. I used to own an S2000 so I can relate to the concept of being fast in an under powered car.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

I disagree with egg that OP will end up with something worse than what he started with. If you are talking about reliability wise, all the race built engines suffer from being "less reliable" than the original engine but that's not what they are about. With about 3-5k on engine mod, I reckon that OP will match whp of a S54 if not more.

Yes. Like I said earlier, I am not looking to go all out on squeezing the max power out of the engine. Just looking for rather mild upgrades that can make small improvements, hoping that all of those small improvements will come together to provide a better driving experience. If that makes any sense.

Sorry, missed that. All the more reason, though, to not messed with it since that's a beautiful engine as it sits. Of course, outside the US, they are not "rare" so other parts of the world have a different view of the engine.

Thanks. I understand what you are saying. That is why there is no intention to go aggressive with the mods. Just some mild modifications here and there.

My S50B32 had headers, cams, intake, pulleys, and an alpha N tune on the factory ecu. Ended up ~380 at the crank, though the bottom end was fairly gutted.


S54 isn't a terrible route to go if you're looking for more power-- mine is ~430 crank hp with bolt ons/cams/tune (factory ECU), without a gutted bottom end (though, to be fair, I put much higher quality parts on the s54 than my S50B32).

Very nice. Thanks. Those numbers are most impressive.

M240 and call it a day.

What is an M240?

[m3f_0-60Motorsports]

Hasan, Congrats on the car. I think my previous reply didn't successfully post.


Drop in and exhaust system is good enough for this car. You'll only be wasting money by doing airbox as the HP Vs $$ is just ridiculous and not worth it in this heat. i've modified a few E36 M3's.


Its a beautiful motor. Just make sure your maintenance etc is all up to date. Focus on a good suspension setup and removing the rear seat and replacing front seats with lighter items. and get some light weight wheels like the APEX's. SSK maybe too.


Just enjoy it, beautiful cars the E36 M3's (The Euro Spec engine ones)

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Hasan, Congrats on the car. I think my previous reply didn't successfully post.



Drop in and exhaust system is good enough for this car. You'll only be wasting money by doing airbox as the HP Vs $$ is just ridiculous and not worth it in this heat. i've modified a few E36 M3's.



Its a beautiful motor. Just make sure your maintenance etc is all up to date. Focus on a good suspension setup and removing the rear seat and replacing front seats with lighter items. and get some light weight wheels like the APEX's. SSK maybe too.



Just enjoy it, beautiful cars the E36 M3's (The Euro Spec engine ones)

Thanks. Appreciate the advice. I was thinking along the same lines.



By "drop in", you mean a drop in air filter like BMC or AFE?



I am thinking of getting the ST suspension with damper adjustment and camber plates, plus rear adjustable control arms.



Will replace the front seats with sparco seats. Not sure about removing the rear seats. I am afraid it will look ugly. Will need to find something to cover up that space. Maybe some nice carpet or something like that.



Lightweight wheels with sticky tyres are also on the list.

[m3f_0-60Motorsports]

Thanks. Appreciate the advice. I was thinking along the same lines.



By "drop in", you mean a drop in air filter like BMC or AFE?



I am thinking of getting the ST suspension with damper adjustment and camber plates, plus rear adjustable control arms.



Will replace the front seats with sparco seats. Not sure about removing the rear seats. I am afraid it will look ugly. Will need to find something to cover up that space. Maybe some nice carpet or something like that.



Lightweight wheels with sticky tyres are also on the list.

Stick to BMC. rest of the plan looks good. I wouldnt even bother removing the rear seats unless its track season

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

Stick to BMC. rest of the plan looks good. I wouldnt even bother removing the rear seats unless its track season

Great. Thanks. Appreciate your advice.

[m3f_0-60Motorsports]

Great. Thanks. Appreciate your advice.

Any time buddy.

[m3f_egebhardt]

Wrong, the S50B32 has 321hp. It is even stated on the E36 M3 Section.

I stand corrected. Euro version. I'm not used to guys from Dubai posting here.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

I'm not used to guys from Dubai posting here.

No problem