In my need for more power the 97-98 M3's have become more and more of a thought. My Lude is either overrated or sapped of an abnormal amount of power to the wheels. With 172hp at the wheels and a curb weight of 3000 lbs it still does pretty good. What's the standard for a stock M3 at the wheels?

Another quick question, if you plan to go SC later what mods would make sense first, assuming that when you do the SC you do the necessary upgrades at that time. Exhuast, header, etc...?

Thanks

205 rwhp...for a stock M3.......

There are a ton of mods that can be done to the M's. The problem is how much money do you have and what is the best $/HP mod for the money you have.

My 95M dyno'd at 190HP at the wheel. It had the dinan chip and airbox so I would probably say in the 175-180 is about right for completely stock. That also matches what the owner's manual says. (240/174)

Now for less than $1k you can upgrade to a custom chip and CAI. For sake of argument figure on 20hp gain.

For another $1500 you can do a CAM kit (95 only but soon 96+) supposedly they say there with an intake and chip you can see ~300HP at the crank not sure what the wheel HP will be.

Exhaust is a bit tricky. CAT Back = $600 Full exhaust $1200 but then your going to deal with emmissions etc. CAT Back wont really give you any more HP.

Supercharger: $5-6k You will be getting a new Chip and intake with this setup. So if you spend money on any of the above mods (except exhaust) then you will be spending that money again.

Most of the SC companies state ~340-350HP at the crank or around 300-310 at the wheel.

You can work the numbers yourself but the best $/HP mod is the SC. But again you are going forced induction and some people say it is really hard on the engine.

So if power is what you want then SC is the way to spend your money. If you dont have the cash now but definately know you want a SC, then I would save up for it or buy used CAI and chip.

Thanks for the replies. I'd perfer to save the money and just do the SC right from the start and leave it at that. I've always loved the M3's and my Prelude ('99) is starting to squeak and rattle a little more then I like. I've done coilovers as well so the ride does make the car stick like no other but rattles the kidney's from time to time.

My other option is a used S2000 but damn 4 cyls are starting to get old. I'm not sure if I really want another car I have to take to 7k + to get any real power from. Four cylinders seem to also get their asses kicked in the summer, heat + AC = really crappy power. :(

What's the curb weight of the M3?

Here is some useful info for you.

This should answere most of your questions http://www.eurospeed.org/e36m3faq.pdf

Originally posted by PDX///M
Here is some useful info for you.

This should answere most of your questions http://www.eurospeed.org/e36m3faq.pdf

NICE! Thanks for the link.

Originally posted by PDX///M
Here is some useful info for you.

This should answere most of your questions http://www.eurospeed.org/e36m3faq.pdf

Excellent link!:eek: Do you have one for the S54?

You can try asking at Roadfly.com in the corresponding forum. Just ask for someone to post the FAQ for your model.