building an almost ultimate M3

[m3f_Kerplunk_810182779a]

A friend of mine just bought an M3 off his dad for 18k. It has 95,000 Miles and its a 96. I think he got robbed by his old man. However he did get into college with full scholorship and as promised his parents gave him the money that was going to go to tuition. ( Probably the 18 k he just gave to his dad lol)



He wants to put most of that cash into upgrades for the M.



He doesn't know much of anything about cars so any parts he'll have to get a mechanic to do it.



So if money wasn't a problem what would you guys get ?

( no engine drops, maybe super chargers but he isn't sure yet)



cold air intakes,full exhaust,chip,front/rear sway bars, strut towers, xbrace, pulleys,suspension are what came to mind but he doesn't know what brands and designs are good. If you guys can help him out in this area.



oh and headlights (angel eyes) /foglights anything that looks good and bright.



Thanks,



maybe this can serve as a how to guide (step a - z) on what to mod your car with for newbies.

[m3f_Norlin]

hrm, I've been modding my car for a little while now, chose to go the NA route which I think is more advisable if you don't know how to do it all yourself at first. Put quite a bit of research into each step I took, so:

Got ZKW w. HIDs and DDEs PnP from Matt @ Umnitza

Got the JTD front/rear tower strut tower brace as they're hingeless and the RSMs and aluminum underpanel (underpanel because of how often I ripped up the plastic stuff underneath there, the aluminum is stronger and doesn't protrude as far down underneath the car as the plastic)

X-Brace is a no brainer, they say the buffer stop isn't necessary on a non-euro, but since it's only like $12 why not eh?

UUC UD pulleys (got the alternator pulley too, though it's optional, it's not a hassle to install if you have air tools, people say it's a PITA if you don't though). UUC Evo3 SSK is by far my favorite mod so far, feels sooo good, makes driving much more fun. UUC front/rear sway bars, installing these today so can't give a testimonial on them.

VIS Racing CF Hood, definately not a necessary upgrade, perhaps not an upgrade at all, I just got it since I had to replace my hood anyway as it was damaged in an accident.

Aluminum AC Schnitzer style pedals, the stock rubber ones I had were worn though to the metal and would slop from side to side when I pressed them, aluminum did away with all that.



Stuff I have on the way I haven't tried yet: UUC Lt.wt. Flywheel II & TMBs w. TMEs // M5 Spec Clutch II // JC Cam Kit // GC Track/School Coil-over kit. The JC Cams kit comes with a CAI, software, cams, fuel injectors, intake manifold and I think a throttle body.



On top of this probably recommend some light weight wheels with good tires. A big brake kit, perhaps stoptech, brembo...maybe UUC? I personally am aiming for the stoptechs.



Perhaps some racing seats to keep him in place better, and a harness...these can shave seconds off your track times as they'll hold you in place better and you can use your legs and hands for driving rather than bracing yourself.



Non-performance things like an alarm (if doesn't have factory one already), sound system and radar detector are nice things to have.



I dunno about headers, people say they're not worth it w/o FI and they cost quite a lot for our cars in comparison to other cars, but I think I'll get them anyway eventually.



Oh, can't believe I left out exhaust, if he acts fast, AAtuning has an April special on their exhaust, it's on sale and free shipping...I'll order one of these in a week or two.



Bunch of other things you can do, off top of my head, aluminum radiator, fan delete and replace with electric fan, oil cooler, new spark plugs (iridium?), plasma booster coils (see bavauto), SS brake lines, aftermarket fluids (brake, tranny, diff, water wetter for coolant), RTABs, front control arms, aluminum thermostat housing, and I'm sure a bunch of other stuff people will see I've forgotten heh heh.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Bunch of other things you can do, off top of my head, aluminum radiator, fan delete and replace with electric fan, oil cooler, new spark plugs (iridium?), plasma booster coils (see bavauto), SS brake lines, aftermarket fluids (brake, tranny, diff, water wetter for coolant), RTABs, front control arms, aluminum thermostat housing, and I'm sure a bunch of other stuff people will see I've forgotten heh heh.



Whats so speicial about thoes plasma coils, besides their obsurd price? Same with the fluids, do thoes iriduim plugs make that much of a difference?

[m3f_Kerplunk_810182779a]

so if he were to get a full exhaust/CAI/Pulleys would that add so much more horsepower that he would need a stronger clutch ?



Isn't it that if you have a lighter flywheel and pulleys that your car might have trouble idling ? ( think i read that from somewhere)



At the risk of betraying revealing a greater amount of ignorance. What are the JC Cams kit ? like what do Cams do ?

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Cams control the valves. Ever notice when you get your car past 4k rpms you feel a sudden jump? Thats the ECU adjusting the cam timing. Companies make an entire cam set thats configured for preformace driving. So, its like having that jump all the time..



Edit - The ecu adjusts more than just the cam timing though, injectors and whatnot.

[m3f_resisTm3]

actually, i think thats the vanos kicking in... am i wrong?

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

It is the vanos kicking in, but the vanos controls the cams...



Ever take one apart.. its rather intresting how that thing works

[m3f_Norlin]

The underdrive pullies with the lightweight flywheel is fine. People talk about a problem if you underdrive the crank pulley, the ones I was talking about are accessories pulleys. So if you underdrive your crank pulley you should get more noticeable power than if you change the accessories pulleys, but if you change the crank pulley you shouldn't change the flywheel. Though I've heard of many people who have changed the crank pulley and the flywheel with no ill affect. They say it has something to do with the harmonic balance of the crank, and it'll get outta whack if you put both mods on...

As for the plasma coils, you can get them for about half the price on bavauto, though probably still not worth it, they're just supposed to boost the spark or something, iridium just nice because it's supposed to last longer. Fluids definately make a difference, especially brake fluid if you go to the track...don't want it boiling on you after all.

[m3f_Drifter_23d8df4bc6]

Vanos is always on. it never turns off like the Vtecs do. Remember that Vtec turns on over 4k, Vanos always on.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

RIght, the vanos is always on, but it makes its biggest adjust ment at 4k, thats when you can really feel it.

[m3f_custom_6b7ab27928]

If this is truly going to be the "ultimate M3" then it needs the valve stem covers with the Roundels on them. :bugeye: Only $15 at your dealership!

[m3f_JAlfredPru_7f28a4f655]

Yeah... just in case you ever forget you're driving a BMW you can look at the valve-stem caps.

[m3f_JAlfredPru_7f28a4f655]

BTW, tell your friend to take all that money he would put into mods and put it into track days/maint.

[m3f_Kerplunk_810182779a]

wouldn't a stock m3 be not impressive at the track ? espeically in the QTR miles.

[m3f_Norlin]

track doesn't have to be a drag strip...stock m3 would be good at other types of track