Re: <E36> M3 euro air intake system questions

[Richard Nott <gis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There have been a few replies to this one already,
but I thought I could add a few things.

>Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 11:39:10 -0800 (PST)
>From: Hou Aaron <aaron@domain.elided>
>Subject: E36 M3 euro air intake system questions
>
>I would like to get some opinions as to what people think of the air
>intake system in the 3.2L M3.  Is this a bottleneck for performance?

Yes

>I noticed that Turner Motor Sports claims 30 additional hp from using their
>air intake system.  Does anyone know what parts this consists of and/or
>whether these figures come from the 3.0L M3 or 3.2L M3?  BMP offers the euro
>air box and euro AFM.  Dinan offers a similar air box without some baffles.

I don't know if anything is available for your model yet, but for
older models... and yours eventually...Turner and Dinan sell
good products.  I've only heard good things from people who
have dealt with them.  If you look at the link below, in the
Technical section under Engine Performance, there is a lot of
good info for increasing M3 engine performance, including
HP, Torque and chip information (answering your questions)
at: http://www.gis.nsw.gov.au/staff/rnott/bmw/bmw.html
Then if you get really serious about engine power you can go
to Metric Mechanic, Korman, RD Sport, etc and spend a
LOT of money on larger capacity.

>I'm just a little confused on which parts to upgrade to get a significant
>improvement in performance, not noise.  I have heard over and over
>again that changing the filter to K&N does not improve performance
>and at the same time allows more particulate into the engine.

There is a good section under Engine Performance in the Technical
section above covering K&N filters.  It's a good read and tells you
everything you need to know.  You'll come away knowing what
works and what doesn't.

>Why didn't our E36 M's come with the euro goodies?  Pricing?

US M3's are built to one specification: Low Cost.  That's why
you don't get the real M3 Brakes or Engines - or M3's ;)
Fortunately because of all the good work done by people like
Jim.C, Turner and Dinan, it's easy for you to get big power
from your M3 for a very low cost.  And because their Mods
are proven, you don't have to wonder if the modification you
make will work or not.

>soon.  Anybody know if parts are cheaper there or here?

Generally parts are more expensive in Europe, because
their minimum wages are much higher and they don't have
a huge market which leads to cheaper prices.  They also
don't have low sales tax and duties like the US. If you want
the cheapest price just shop around with the different bmw
parts discounters who advertise in magazines like Road
and Track. Eg Bavarian Autosport or Global are both
good to deal with.  Always compare prices

>Thanks to all who respond.
>
>Aaron Hou
>97 M3

Cheers,
Richard
74 3.0S (Since New!)
86 535i
Richard Nott's BMW Database:
http://www.gis.nsw.gov.au/staff/rnott/bmw/bmw.html

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