$2,000 mod challenge

[m3f_tlvanden]

OK...



You've got a bone-stock OBDII E36 M3 and $2,000 MAXIMUM to spend on mods. What would you do and why?

[m3f_95RogueM3]

1) rogue engineering ssk with wsr. Best feeling ssk and any ssk is better than the sloppiness of stock= $325



2) Exhaust of any kind (it sounds so nice when you uncork an i6)=$650



3)AA Cold Air Intake (similar to exhaust with great note as well as added power feel)=$315



4) Finally, going a bit over would be a suspension. Starting at $400 for the gc street kit going to more than $4000 for front and rear moton coilovers.



-RIchard

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

Coilovers and reasonably priced 18" wheels and tires. Then sell the stock wheels & tires. That should get you close to $2000.



Reasons are obvious. Looks and handling. It'll make the car seem so much nicer that you won't mind if it takes a while before you can afford more mods. Performance wise, the M3 isn't exactly "challenged" in it's stock form.

[m3f_95RogueM3]

Todd, do you have instant messenger? I had a few questions about your suspension. I may be buying your kit+konis on monday and wanted to talk about it with you for a minute or two. thanks



-Richard

[m3f_Todd Templ_5b8abfbfc4]

It's Teerexness on AIM.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

You might as well throw in the 60 bucks to pick up some Tranny Mounts to avoid a money shift with your new shift kit.

[m3f_JB///M3]

2K huh...





Zkws - $400

Clears all around - $250

Intake -$300-350

SSK - $150-350

Chip/Software - $350

Pulleys - $200-300





and with the $200 or so left over... hmm... UUC TME's - $70, Velocity Splitters - $100-150 and $50 more...damn... hmm... give it a nice oil change w/ synthetic...

[m3f_T2_58b439f67f]

1. Clears front and side...(WHY: personally I don't like the clear back) - $100 - Bavauto



2. Racing Dynamics Custom K&N CAI and ASC delete- >$100 - PM me for details, there is no better CAI or less expensive one. (WHY - +10hp and cool sound above 5k rpm)



3. Conforti (Shark) "Chip" - $350 (WHY - +10hp)



4. UUC SSK Evo III or Rogue - $300 (WHY - Smoother Shifting)



5. Pulley's - $200 (frees up 7hp)



6. Tranny mounts - Free if you go with the Rogue SSK (WHY - Save you from a big engine repair bill from a missed shift)



7. Eurofloater rotors - $275 (cooler brake temps and 4lbs of unsprung weight removed from both front wheels)



8. Exhaust - $675 (UUC TS, my choice) (WHY - Better sound, + 8hp and 25+ lbs removed)



9. Rear strut tower brace mod...$50



Honorable Mention:



10. X Brace - $110 off ebay (if you have a few $$ more)



So gain up to 35hp, better braking and more precise shifting...if you want better handling in an already GREAT handling car it will cost you $2k more...later. (GC Coilovers, GY F1 GS-D3's Tires)



OK I win , so what is the prize?? Oh BTW you will have to do all the installation youself.

[m3f_tlvanden]

Guys,



Thanks for the great responses!



Questions:



1. Nobody has yet to mention "fan delete" upgrade



2. What about reliability / engine stress concerns with the pulley upgrade?

[m3f_99DakarM3_146594ecf1]

I dont think their are any real concerns with the pullies, unless you do the alternator or crank. I personally would have more of a concern doing the fan delete.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

Where do you live and how often are you stopped in traffic.



I wouldn't suggest the fan delete if you are in traffic a lot and/or the climate is really warm.



No one mentioned it because it's free.







It's up to you if you want to do it or not.



I wouldn't buy offbrand clear corners...I did and they ripped out on the highway when the pins broke. They are just worse quality and a hassle.



Buy OEM and they are easier to resell in the end too.



I guess non-OEM is okay as long as you get OEM front corners. Your rear tails are hardly going to fall out I suppose.



Headlights are fairly important I think. I just hate the US lights at night. I think ZKW's go for 330 now. 330 is much cheaper than an accident at night.



I made that decision when I was driving at night in this area with deer all over the place and many crossing the road.

[m3f_CMT_50ca834bd5]

Since I was always a fan of the stock M3 handling, provided your shocks are in good shape I would just go straight for the acceleration upgrade and get a 3.46 rear end from http://www.diffsonline.com for $1800 plus your core differential, and then take the $200 left over and take the girl to a decent dinner. Or spend an extra bit and get an ECIS intake, which is a great modification for the money.



The 3.46 makes the car a monster, every gear feels like the lower gear used to, ie third gear pulls like second gear with the OEM 3.23, 4th gear pulls like 3rd used to, etc. First gear is still usable, but the twist to redline is so violent that you better have good tires or you will lose traction, however the increased lockup (usually 40% compared to the stock diff's 25%) makes sure that even when the tires slip you still have forward thrust. Also, when you upshift from the last gear, you drop right into 5000 RPM in the next gear so there is no power loss!



If increased acceleration is your goal, my vote is for a 3.46.

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

**** it.. do the fan delete.. i plan on it.. should be a great mod! is a great mod from what ive heard from the crew! :thumbsup:

[m3f_CMT_50ca834bd5]

Originally posted by Purple99M3

**** it.. do the fan delete.. i plan on it.. should be a great mod! is a great mod from what ive heard from the crew! :thumbsup:



Add me to the list. When I did mine, the car pulled noticeably freer to redline and honestly felt like it had more power.

[m3f_MrWingnut]

by fan deleat you mean just take out the radiator cooling fan?