$2,000 mod challenge

[m3f_T2_58b439f67f]

The gear mod is just for drag racing only as far as I am concerned...you need all the gears, as is, if you plan to do track days...you live in 3rd and 4th gear.



$1800 seems like a waste of money to me for no REAL performance gain...unless all you do is race to the next stop light...any Mustang can do that!!

[m3f_CMT_50ca834bd5]

Originally posted by T2

The gear mod is just for drag racing only as far as I am concerned...you need all the gears, as is, if you plan to do track days...you live in 3rd and 4th gear.



$1800 seems like a waste of money to me for no REAL performance gain...unless all you do is race to the next stop light...any Mustang can do that!!



No "REAL" performance gain?



What are you basing this opinion on? Before the addition of the 3.46 I was easy prey for my friend's 310 HP Stickley-built E36 M3, and got consistently clowned by a friend's Dinan SC'd 96 M3. With the 3.46 I was dead even with the Stickley from 75-120 mph (where he would start inching up) and I have video evidence of how well the car hangs now with the 285 whp Dinan SC'd M3:



http://www.rimpro.com/media/memorial/run.mpg (5 MB)



This modification could not yield a more "REAL" performance - in the form of acceleration - gain. When the Stickley added a 3.46 of its own, we went from dead even on the run to him pulling over 2 car lengths ahead by the 120 mph mark. "No REAL performance gain" indeed.



Now, if you are going to throw the track argument out there, then I have bad news for you. Have you ever spoken with someone like Will Turner or even Chuck Stickley himself about the best gear ratio for the track? The answer is an unilateral 3.64, not the OEM 3.23. While their response as to the best gear for the street is usually the 3.38, they will also say that the 3.46 is also acceptable but it is a bit on the aggressive side. At least this is what they both told me in person when I was researching the differential modification.



I do not drag race, my car is no Mustang, nor is it treated as such. However I, like most M3 enthusiasts, covet the acceleration advantage of the euro M3 and will try any effective means of attaining it. This is something the differential does, regardless of your irrational and uninformed opinion.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

If you don't mind the top gear riding even higher on the highway then I think that this is an excellent mod also.



The ultimate is a more agressive diff with a 6 sp swap. Then you don't go deaf when you cruise at 80.



A new diff really will give you the greatest performance gain for your money probably, but you're going to lose some practicality.

[m3f_CMT_50ca834bd5]

Originally posted by astan100

If you don't mind the top gear riding even higher on the highway then I think that this is an excellent mod also.



The ultimate is a more agressive diff with a 6 sp swap. Then you don't go deaf when you cruise at 80.



A new diff really will give you the greatest performance gain for your money probably, but you're going to lose some practicality.



It does ride a bit higher, it sits at 3800 RPM in 5th gear at 80 mph as opposed to 3500 RPM, and gas mileage admittedly suffers as well, but this is a sacrifice that I was willing to make for the performance. As with anything, I suppose. Were I going to buy a 6-speed, I would go either with the 3.64 as with the E46 M3, or a 3.73 as people have reported this as an awesome matchup.



However, my car actually got quieter at 80 mph, as the Tri-Flo drones more at 3500 RPM than at 3800 RPM.

[m3f_T2_58b439f67f]

If what you are saying is true...I stand corrected!



I understood the gearing change is strictly for low-end acceleration...1/8 or 1/4 mile runs. I will talk to my Nephew who is a race mechanic and ask his opinion.



On the track, I can understand how 5th does not help much...only touched it for a second at 120mph...I will do more homework!!

[m3f_CMT_50ca834bd5]

I apologize for my previous vehement response. It was the Mustang thing that set me off.

[m3f_T2_58b439f67f]

I admit it was a backhand remark,,,no hard feelings and I learned something.

[m3f_skraler]

fan delete sounds insane , but im new to these german cars

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

fan delete is nice.. no insane.. definitly helpful.. check ur thread..

[m3f_GrkMf95M3]

Originally posted by MrWingnut

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



No. The fan clutch is between your radiator and engine block. Go to www.understeer.com for instructions on how to do it, and buy their kit so you wont have to worry about your car overheating.