Good choice on the turbo. HPF M3 aren't all that they are made out to be. It goes way beyond the platform/capabilities of the car. Start with a supercar and do moderate mods and you'll have a way better balanced car.
I wasted one easilly with my GT640 996.

 

i am just about to sell my E46 M3 for a 996 tt

im excited about the 996, but i still have a deep love for the M (and $15k in mods that im sure im going to get killed on)

 

Pull the easy to remove mods that wont bring any value or help sell the car and list them on BF.C IMO.

 

the power difference is pretty big. I thought that was a fast car back in the day, an Acura TL makes more power than that now. 240HP/225 tq right?

 

Yes those numbers are pretty close. What is really awesome about the E36M3, at least 96+ is how expensive they have been to mod performance wise. Even now with availability of aftermarket kits, paying 10k+ to get them to the 400+ HP club really sucks. Which has been a factor in my decision to move on.

Justin

 

It handles better than my 911. (I know, heresy)

It's also faster than my 911. (now I'm going to get hate mail)

Here's why...

http://www.kmcauto.com/project_cars/..._M3_turbo.html

Seriously, both are wonderful cars.

 

all these m3 comments make me happy I pulled the trigger on one.

 

Nice e36.... how much power that motor putting out?

 

nice, probably sounds good too.

 

BF answer: Just get a 318i

 

That thing is a beast! I have not heard of the shop that has done your engine work, are they trying to keep their business local? If not they should jump on BF.c and get the word out, I know the more options available for the platform the better for all us customers. On second thought, I don't really keep up with all the tuners for the 95's, maybe that's why I haven't taken notice. either way, car is sick, I'm jealous.

Justin

 

I don't recall the exact numbers. I think it spun the rollers at around 400whp with pump gas on a dyno-dynamics. That was with a stock bottom end (3.0l), some blow by, and a bad turbo. I blew the motor at the last track session of 2008. It turns out that the turbo bearings were bad to begin with, there was some compression loss, and the turbo head gasket failed. So long story short, the engine hydro-locked, 2 pistons were bent, the block was cracked, and the crank was damaged.

Anyways, the new bottom end is completely custom, bored out to 3.3l, and all internals forged, then coated with some sort of polymer that permanently lubricates everything. We'll see how that goes. The turbo is completely rebuilt with a new turbine side. The car is actually being tuned today. The tuner expects to run about 18-19lbs boost and get around 500whp. I'll post the results as I get them.

 

Thanks. The shop is basically one guy that's worked around many of the tuning shops in the Boston area. He stopped at Turner for a few years and built a couple of their e36 SCCA racers from the ground up. He's done work on a variety of cars including 2 Noble's where he's developing a custom engine and ECU. Apparently, the engines on those things are a weak link.

If anyone is looking for great work at a reasonable price, contact Tim at KMC. He's disciplined, really knowledgeable, honest, and as nice as they come.

Just for fun...

Here's a picture of what can happen when you try to add boost to and engine with >130k miles on it.

 

First off, that sounds like a awesome project to have going, I dont even want to know what the final cost on a custom job like that is. It sounds like you have done every conceivable power upgrade available to the 95M3, save for maybe meth/NOS. Definatly post some numbers when you get them!

Second, did you fudge your pants when the engine blew? Those rods do not look too happy at all! Did you do any of the work on it yourself, or are you just the bank? LOL!

Justin

 

I had a M3 E46 laguna seca blue standard 2002 and puted many mods even a bilstein pss9 the car was a very nice one.Some friends even ask me if i still have it,they would like to had buy it.BUT my 996TT K24,flashed and fabspeed muffler is THE BEST CAR of the world for me.There is not comparision with the M3.In the track is much faster than the M3.I do street racing(i do not recomend it)and i have beated all the cars used to beat me with my M3.I have only lost with a 997 TT because i chicken out when we were side by side on a curve and i had to change gear and missed the timing.
PORSCHE THERE IS NOT SUBSTITUTE and if it is a 996TT,you have the best af all.