<E36M3> Achieving HP for M3

Subject: <E36M3> Achieving HP for M3
From: scotthung@domain.elided
Date: Sat, 7 Sep 1996 19:53:47 -0400
Fellow M3 enthusiasts:

I did some reality checking after receiving the supercharger
material from ERT. Their prices are $6500 for 355HP and 
$7700 for 375 HP (adds T.Body & muffler). DINAN has overated
install time of 20 hours so letÕs estimate another $1200 for labor at
$60/hr. Now you end up with about $7700 for 355HP and $8900
for 375 HP. 

I have estimated the final parts and installation costs of my 
engine performance upgrades to be about $ 6400 with a gain of
278HP per ERT  Dyno tests on a similiar setup.


Jim Conforti Custom Performance Chip      110
BMW Motorsport Ram Air Intake System     100
Euro-M3 Air Box                                                        
385        
K &N Filtercharger                                                      
41
Euro-M3 Heated Film Airflow Meter               400
ERT Cstom Intake Piping                                100
ELP Motorsport Big Bore Throttle Body    326
Supersprint SS Headers - Jet Hot Coated 1466
Supersprint Euro Stainless Steel Resonator     638
Supersprint SS Muffler w/ DTM Style Tips          882
ÒDr. GasÓ Custom Exhaust Crossover              551
High Capacity 24lb. Bosch Fuel Injectors   300
HeaderÕmuffler labor costs                                   719
Estimated crossover, injector labor                 400
TOTAL                                                                   
         6418

For an extra $1300 had I just put on the
SC from the beginning, I would have gained a
 phenomenal extra 77 HP for a  nominal cost difference. 

If I elect to remain normally aspirated, I can continue 
to gain performance by adding new flywheel,
differential, cylinder head porting, multiangle
valve seat job, larger titanium valves, extra dyno
cost to tune chip, cam shaft, etc. for an estimated
cost of possiby over $8000 and still not reach the
375 HP level.

OR put the costs towards  a SC setup for about
$7000 ($700 less for HFM and injectors which I
will already have) and gain 375+HP as I already
have the exhaust and T.body upgrade along with
the headers, crossover, and resonator which
should bring additional gain over ERT dyno results 
of 375HP for full non-intercooled setup. 
I would lose out  on $736 for those parts that will
be removed for the SC addition (ram air, airbox,K&N,
intake piping, chip), someof  which can be recouped
by resale. 

All this is just food for thought and I would like to know
what some of you M3 junkies and gurus think.
It may just boil down to whether you prefer to be blown
of normally aspirated (no vulgarity intended).
 The worry of busting warrantee for 300+ HP gain is not 
an issue here because whether  you bolt on a SC or open
 the head, the changes will be obvious.

I welcome all comments.
This is not intended to bring out discussion of driving skills,
suspension, & braking components to match the HP gain as we
can assume this is the case here in theory.

Personally I'm happy with the power I have now, but after
each upgrade WE ALL look forward to the next enhancement
no matter where in the upgrade process each  of us are. That's
one reason why the  digest exists
Thanks
Scott H.-95m3