Most Powerful N/A E36

[m3f_WyattH]

What is the most powerful Naturally aspirated E36 M3? Not the fastest (combined with wieght), but the most powers, maybe to the rear wheels.

You can list a setup used on a Euro motor (321bhp), but I would prefer the S50, or S50 B2 (S52).



I'm curious because I'd like to build a car I'm potentially buying, but also because there are mods on it, and I'm wondering what power it has.

It's a 1999, with Dinan ECU, Exhaust, Intake, Injectors, Fuel Rail, and Springs (obviously don't help power). The salesman tried telling me it dyno'd at 305rwhp, but I don't believe it with just those mods. Before I buy it, I'm going to make sure to see the dyno, but still... What power do you think that would have?

And of course, what is the most powerful N/A E36 you know of? Thanks. :dance:

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Would you include cam kits as naturally asperiated? Seeing how thats not forced induction...

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

The most horse power any NA M3 came with was 240. I would guesstimate that equals about 200 at the rear wheels assuming 15-18% parasitic loss. The Dinan mods probably add 10...maybe 15 HP. The LTW m3's supposedly had engines that dynoed at the top of the class while leaving the engine plant. The salesman must have white loafers and be willing to say anything.

[m3f_Supabimma_cc72c2aa80]

for a 99 M3 with those mods it will pull anywhere from the 218-224 rear wheel power mark, 305 ABSOLUTELY NOT, not even at the crank. salesman full of crap.

[m3f_WyattH]

Salty, I meant aftermarket mods. I know E36's came with 240 for the most part.



Supabimma: Thanks, I thought it was a stretch, but when he said he had the Dyno, I believed more. Before putting money on it, I will need to see the dyno for sure.



Sirius: Of course Cam kits are worthy!

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

You would have to do CAMS, change the fuel management system, up the compression ratio, spin it to 8500 RPM , run it on race gas and live with an undriveable, unreliable car to get the numbers the salesman is quoting.

[m3f_Dakhar_517a2ad3bd]

I'll sell you mine, I got 485 out of it....



Not

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

the hightest M3 NA i have seen with the s52 engine was i think brian lieb (not the owner anymore) i wanna say he had 284 rwhp.. he changed alot in the engine.. but it was a haus.. alot of guys on bf.com have around 260rwhp..

[m3f_dapper83_ac01dd8204]

i ve got a s50 rebuild project that i am working on and i am going to shoot for some really high power ratings, def doing port and polish head cams, injectors, hfm, 11:1 compression forged pistons, valve springs custom tuning, but now i am looking into doing the 6 individual throttle body upgrade that www.bmpd.com offers seeing if i can get the money together and then i would also do their split convertor to adjust mixtures manually. With all that i would expect some pretty respectable numbers, just need to org my finances for that bmp throttle body and some light wieght rods.

[m3f_WyattH]

I feel like a dumbass being told that, I thought I knew SOME about this car. DOH!:cry:

I'll go back and ask for the Dyno, and then b*tchsmack him.



So high 200's is about maxed RWHP for an N/A? Thanks for the info!

[m3f_00poop6x_6dca3456a4]

I feel like a dumbass being told that, I thought I knew SOME about this car. DOH!:cry:

I'll go back and ask for the Dyno, and then b*tchsmack him.



So high 200's is about maxed RWHP for an N/A? Thanks for the info!



Make sure the Dyno sheet is legitimate. Or if you dyno it somewhere and it doesn't make what he claims, ask for a BIG discount.

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

dapper.. let us know how that goes.. i would love to see some higher hp s50's with some nice pistons.. maybe even bore out to around a 3.3L.. that woul dbe tight as hell..

[m3f_Supabimma_cc72c2aa80]

the most powerful car E36 M3 to hit our shores was the 95 M3 LTW, it made 249HP and 236 ft lb of torque (remember thats on a 3.0L). it did have software upgrade though but the motors were supposedly "hand picked" by bmw themselves

[m3f_Supabimma_cc72c2aa80]

Also, there are 3.4 L stroker kits out there for the S50, you can get tons of power out of the 3.4L motor compared to a 3.0 L motor but it requires alot of custom tuning and etc.



stock motor CAN rev up to 7500rpm but 7500 is the absolute limit which is why companies limit revs to 7200rpm for a margin of safety. In order to go higher you have to run solid lifter conversion (no more hydraulic lifters) and you also have to run high rpm valve springs/hats. but theoretically solid lifters are good for 9000rpm. you need crazy cams to run that high though. 7200rpm is honestly good enough. i would spend money on something else.

[m3f_95RogueM3]

Highest I know of is Maddog 20/20 on bimmerforums. He made 267rwhp n/a.



Close to that is Artic Fox with 264rwhp with unichip tuning.



Both of the above are running obd2 m3s (i think they are both 97s)



-Richard