Thank you ESK... I called them just now and ordered the shifter and side markers, I spoke with Jay. I did not know your name but mentioned your car...he knew you right away...

thanks again

Mark

 

Sounds like my mod list will be:

1. Smoke Side markers (I hate the stock orange ones)
BTW, where's the best place to get these?
2. K&N Filter (cheap and easy)
3. Upsolute Chip
4. Bailey Diverter Valves (at the same time, or shortly after)
5. B&M Short Shifter (coming from a Honda and then an M3 with a UUC Short Shifter, I've been spoiled with good shifters). =)

I figured that'd be the order for my mods because I would like to dyno the car stock, and then after every mod as well.

I figure I'd dyno the car stock, and if possible, switch the stock filter to the K&N between runs. How long does it take to change the filter on the 996 Turbo?

Then I'd get an ECU from Upsolute or GIAC (I've always trusted GIAC, but Upsolute is just TOO tempting at $500) and dyno again.

That way I can chronicle the cars increase in HP from mod to mod. I've done it on every car I've owned so far and I wouldn't stop with the 996 Turbo! =)

The funny thing I noticed is that all the Honda guys like to dyno everything. Then I got a 2002 M3 and hardly ANY of those guys dyno their cars. They all like regurgitating tuner HP numbers and ASSUME that everything makes power like they expect it to. Then as I go up to the Porsche boards, I notice that everyone here seems to dyno their cars (WOOHOO!!!). I love looking at dyno graphs and seeing the changes mods make from stock to mild to WILD. =) It not only makes for interesting reading, it makes the whole modding process a lot more fun!

- KJ

 

Depending on how you look at it, I would say intake, exhaust and ECU upgrade. It's a lil pricy but, I think it's well worth it. But, all the other accessories are just as great! B&M all the way though for the short-shifter.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the reason the M3 guys don't dyno is that nothing really makes prower on this freakin car!

 

Pilot Sport CUP tires. Quantum leap in grip compared to the stock tires. Even when they are cold, they stick much better than stock. When up to temp on the track, they're a massive improvement over stock. Down side is that stiffer sidewalls make for a rougher ride. Also, they seem to have a magnetic attraction to nails.

 

IA GT/R - Clutch/Flywheel

 

Well, the "Shark Injector" by Jim Conforti was supposed to make power, but I dyno'ed it to a significant loss. It also seemed to create a bit of misfiring at 4,000 or so rpm.

Of course, when I posted my results...everyone flamed me and said "You dyno'ed your car wrong, and even if you did, you CANNOT dyno an OBD-II car and get repeatable results".

- KJ

 

http://www.aatuning.com/projectE46M3/

 

Post that on the M3 boards and they'll all say "Ohh...your engine is going to go KABOOM. I'm not going to put that on my car and anyone that does is retarded. Who needs more HP anyway?".

- KJ

 

If I had an E46 M3, I personally would not put any form of FI on it, as the engine is capable of grenading itself in stock form to begin with. Although, AA has logged quite a few miles on that test car without any problems.
This was just a reply to Ari's comment. There is stuff out there.