Driftworks puts some... cool, but ultimately stupid, headers on their s85 e46

[bigjae46]

Whatever I need to do to get my car to sound like this...I will do it...

[EthanolTurbo]

Interesting wagon. But the question is still why? What does it bring, other than noise, that a far easier and less costly V8 doesn’t achieve? Don’t get me wrong I do understand cool factor and being able to say I did that but outside of that I don’t see the reason given the difficulty and cost. Because let’s face it most aren’t going to DIY this. Congratulations to that dude by the way. I’m sure he loves it.

Because the S85 is basically the final boss of BMW M motors, combined with the peak of BMW's classic chassis for the 3 series. And really at the end of the day it is a 10 cylinder 5L S54 with its own unique, intoxicating sound and that same telepathic throttle response and 8300+ RPM. If you mod it N/A it sounds like an F1 car and can make 550-600 whp without forced induction. Having an S62 in an E46 M3 is awesome too but having the same powerband as the original motor with more displacement and cylinders is very desirable.

Kind of the same reason you'd want to swap an S54 into an E30 M3. Sending the direct descendant and evolution of BMW's NA M bloodline into a time machine to live in an older golden era chassis is a nice dream to have and possibly achieve.

[eacmen]

I’ll admit I would never pay for an S85 swap unless there was a built kit that is proven to work. I’m not skilled enough to do the work myself, and I wouldnt trust any shop around here to do it right. BUT if one happens to show up for sale, I would definitely consider a turn key S85 E46!

If the S54 ever grenades in our track car its either getting another S54 or an LSx.


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[Cubieman]

Boy, I would just settle for an E60 M5 at this point.

For years I thought negatively of the looks and believed the S85 to be a ticking time bomb but after being around them, driving them and realizing the maintenance isn't that bad I do want to own one.

I'd even settle for a non-LCI SMG in black sapphire, I can't shake the thought. If it weren't for my buddy having 2 of them I would still think negatively of the platform, it's just unfortunate how little aftermarket support for these there is, we have it lucky in that regard with the E46 M3.

[Epoustouflant]

Boy, I would just settle for an E60 M5 at this point.

For years I thought negatively of the looks and believed the S85 to be a ticking time bomb but after being around them, driving them and realizing the maintenance isn't that bad I do want to own one.

I'd even settle for a non-LCI SMG in black sapphire, I can't shake the thought. If it weren't for my buddy having 2 of them I would still think negatively of the platform, it's just unfortunate how little aftermarket support for these there is, we have it lucky in that regard with the E46 M3.

This makes me smile. They are one of the greatest M cars ever made with the right maintenance package, and mods. Buy one while we still can run these cars legally.

My experience has been extensive in just over a year. I’ve put 27,000km on it. It’s my daily.

After doing bearings, fuel system, throttle actuators, idle control actuators, oil cooler, voltage regulator and radiator fan.

It’s been somewhat reliable *grins*

It is at about 560 PS with ID header, intakes and stage 3 tune. It's low 8s 100-200 kph and its true power is above that.

The latest lightweight flywheel and carbon driveshaft has made the SMG3 enjoyable - all across the range. No more jerks & clunks at low speed, the downsides are non existent. It’s fast & precise and S6 at WOT is better than ever. The steering rack is probably best ever for an M, and the B16 EDC + Dinan sway bar kit has made it feel below its weight.

It can also look pretty damn good with a few aesthetic changes like LCI retrofit, 20" fitted wheels and gloss black accents, including the mirror pillar trim. The pre LCI interior is meh, and it's expensive to upgrade: carbon trims, steering wheel, LCI door cards, CIC retrofit - ouch.

That's lot of $ to bring it up to par dynamically and aesthetically while paying 2.00$/l doing 250km between fill ups. I still wouldn't have an E90 M3 over this for the driving dynamics - for costs, that's up to you.

It's stupidly expensive to keep on the road, and its still relatively worthless considering - but the experience is invaluable. Nothing like toasting your latest 911s with groceries in the back sounding like an F1 car.

[Obioban]

This makes me smile. They are one of the greatest M cars ever made with the right maintenance package, and mods. Buy one while we still can run these cars legally.

My experience has been extensive in just over a year. I’ve put 27,000km on it. It’s my daily.

After doing bearings, fuel system, throttle actuators, idle control actuators, oil cooler, voltage regulator and radiator fan.

It’s been somewhat reliable *grins*

It is at about 560 PS with ID header, intakes and stage 3 tune. It's low 8s 100-200 kph and its true power is above that.

The latest lightweight flywheel and carbon driveshaft has made the SMG3 enjoyable - all across the range. No more jerks & clunks at low speed, the downsides are fast & precise and S6 at WOT is better than ever. The steering rack is probably best ever for an M, and the B16 EDC + Dinan sway bar kit has made it feel below its weight.

It can also look pretty damn good with a few aesthetic changes like LCI retrofit, 20" fitted wheels and gloss black accents, including the mirror pillar trim. The pre LCI interior is meh, and it's expensive to upgrade: carbon trims, steering wheel, LCI door cards, CIC retrofit - ouch.

That's lot of $ to bring it up to par dynamically and aesthetically while paying 2.00$/l doing 250km between fill ups. I still wouldn't have an E90 M3 over this for the driving dynamics - for costs, that's up to you.

It's stupidly expensive to keep on the road, and its still relatively worthless considering - but the experience is invaluable. Nothing like toasting your latest 911s with groceries in the back sounding like an F1 car.

18s > dubs

[stash1]

Velocity stacks?

That appears all that will fit...no way your getting a std airbox to fit!

[stash1]

Whatever I need to do to get my car to sound like this...I will do it...

I don't know why exactly, but that noise just sounds wrong coming from an E46-lol

[Epoustouflant]

18s > dubs

We use ‘em for different things. I’m a stanceboi deep down 😂

[bigjae46]

I’ll admit I would never pay for an S85 swap unless there was a built kit that is proven to work. I’m not skilled enough to do the work myself, and I wouldnt trust any shop around here to do it right. BUT if one happens to show up for sale, I would definitely consider a turn key S85 E46!

If the S54 ever grenades in our track car its either getting another S54 or an LSx.

I've been thinking about this. I think it is doable. Since my car is a track car, I could use the OE ECU and I don't need to integrate into the body harness (I pretty much don't have one...lol). I could use an AiM dash which solves the whole instrument cluster hurdle. The ABS/DSC connects to the ECU by just 1 signal wire for the solenoid valve and hall effect switch on the brake pedal. The ECU controls the brake booster solenoid, just need to figure that out. I think the one wire to the ECU is for fault codes.

From a hardware perspective, I think a dry sump would make fitting the steering column WAY easier. I just wish I could easily fit a 5 speed to keep the weight down.

Still not cheap though...

$6k to $8k - S85 w/ECU
$2k - S65 6 speed
$8k - Dry sump
$2k - Rod bearings and TAs
$2k - Exhaust
$2k - Other stuff

[George Hill]

$6k to $8k - S85 w/ECU
$2k - S65 6 speed
$8k - Dry sump
$2k - Rod bearings and TAs
$2k - Exhaust
$2k - Other stuff

Even for a track car I think your prices are a bit low.

Coolant cooling system
Oil Cooling system
Clutch/Flywheel
Shifter
Driveshaft
Tune
Intakes
Headers/steering shaft modification
Fuel System

[bigjae46]

Even for a track car I think your prices are a bit low.

Coolant cooling system
Oil Cooling system
Clutch/Flywheel
Shifter
Driveshaft
Tune
Intakes
Headers/steering shaft modification
Fuel System

let me know what you think…

Engine cooling - not sure???

Oil cooling - already have a custom SS braided lines. If I went dry sump then this would already be factored in.

Clutch/Flywheel - reuse OE?

Shifter - not sure

Driveshaft - $650 to modify an OE driveshaft, balance and replace consumables

Tune - just use a stock ECU and tune

Intake/exhaust/headers/steering - custom. I’d try a Z4 rack with the EPAS on the steering shaft

Fuel system - I’d use the radium kit with a Walbro pump

[George Hill]

let me know what you think…

Engine cooling - not sure???

Oil cooling - already have a custom SS braided lines. If I went dry sump then this would already be factored in.

Clutch/Flywheel - reuse OE?

Shifter - not sure

Driveshaft - $650 to modify an OE driveshaft, balance and replace consumables

Tune - just use a stock ECU and tune

Intake/exhaust/headers/steering - custom. I’d try a Z4 rack with the EPAS on the steering shaft

Fuel system - I’d use the radium kit with a Walbro pump

Engine Cooling - S85 has a dual system in that the radiator is actually two rads in one... 2 inlets, 2 outlets.
Oil Cooling - S85 OFH is on the passenger side, if you go dry sump I don't know enough about the options here, but a quick google search showed a VAC kit for $6100 and a kit from Carbahn for $7k. You'll still need lines, a tank, etc. I think $8k might get it done, but maybe not.
Clutch - Doing all this and going to put a stock clutch/flywheel in it?
Shifter - Will be custom, there isn't an option that works off the shelf that I have found (with the trans mounted using a stock crossmember).
Tune - Stock DME is going to have a bunch of warning lights on due to missing components.
Intake/exhaust/headers/steering - custom. I’d try a Z4 rack with the EPAS on the steering shaft - that all factored into your $4k exh/misc budget?
Fuel system - The MSS65 DME uses an EKPS to control the fuel pump which IIRC is 3 phase... As far as I know there is not a 12v fuel pump output to control your walbro pump.

[bigjae46]

Engine Cooling - S85 has a dual system in that the radiator is actually two rads in one... 2 inlets, 2 outlets.
Oil Cooling - S85 OFH is on the passenger side, if you go dry sump I don't know enough about the options here, but a quick google search showed a VAC kit for $6100 and a kit from Carbahn for $7k. You'll still need lines, a tank, etc. I think $8k might get it done, but maybe not.
Clutch - Doing all this and going to put a stock clutch/flywheel in it?
Shifter - Will be custom, there isn't an option that works off the shelf that I have found (with the trans mounted using a stock crossmember).
Tune - Stock DME is going to have a bunch of warning lights on due to missing components.
Intake/exhaust/headers/steering - custom. I’d try a Z4 rack with the EPAS on the steering shaft - that all factored into your $4k exh/misc budget?
Fuel system - The MSS65 DME uses an EKPS to control the fuel pump which IIRC is 3 phase... As far as I know there is not a 12v fuel pump output to control your walbro pump.

The dry sump oil pan that drift works uses has the pump on the pass side. I found a Z4 rack for a different experiment for $100. I don't think the EPAS would be too much more. I haven't really looked into it on the S85 but my S54 has very few warning lights since I coded out the fault codes. I still get a check engine and EML lights when something goes wrong. The lights that didn't go out...nothing a little electrical tape won't fix! lol

But my numbers do seem low now. I know that cams, tune, and other stuff are needed for the full V10 wail. How would wiring the fuel system work? That sounds like a PIA.

Right now, I'm happy with my car as is although the exhaust note is not exactly pleasing. But it is loud!!!

[EthanolTurbo]

18s > dubs

Yeah 18s on an E60 M5 really transform it. Takes so much weight off and adds so much performance. Also makes the ride way better.