Everyone had their toy out this weekend! It was awesome.
Around the westchester to CT area, you see everything from the latest and greatest to the most riced-out $5 fartcans.

First run of the day was with a 350Z.
I was behind him, he went for it, and I was surprised as to how quick this car was! It took about 3 seconds for 4th gear to hit serious(enough) boost, to pull him right in. Once I hit the top of 4th though, it was not even funny... He was history. 5 cars or so... As I slowed, I looked over at the driver, and he just looked ill with disgust... Brand new car, and it already got it's ass kicked. I waved with a smile, but that wasn't going to repair the damage...

Second run was with a hot steal grey E46 M3. As I merged onto the highway, the driver and I locked eyes for a moment. He grinned, as I also noticed his girlfriend sitting shotgun.:boobies

Once I caught up, I got behind him, as we waited for some VW bus to get its caravan ass out of the way. No business in the left lane...:rolleyes:
Once around, I matched his every move. He hammered it, and I floored it. I really wanted to see what the difference was, since my SC 95 M3 was dead even with the E46.

What happened after was almost painfull...
I wound the car to 6500, and shifted from 3rd to 4th and absolutely ran by this guy. By the time I pulled 5th a bit, I had 6 cars on him. This was bitter sweet. :( I love the E46 Mtree. This still might be my next ride...

We tried again. This time I had the lead. I got into gear, made sure he was ready. Aaand. GO!
There was no chance. I just ran away.
I would say that a well driven 350Z with a few mods will give an E46 M3 driver as serious run for his/her money...

As I approached my huge off camber sweeper of an exit, I let the M3 take the lead, since he too was getting off the highway.
His approach was off. He was coming in too far inside. I took the outer line, and just surfed through the two apexes with an easy entrance speed.
As we reached the second apex, I still had 15% left to go before the car would start asking for more gas, or less to keep her on point. I noticed the M3 was pushing rather hard from the awkward line, and I notice his nose end dance from side to side. He must have let off the gas too suddenly! (Stained shorts!:laugh )

When we came to the light I said"Nice car!" and took off. Again, bitter sweet.

Last run as I was heading back to NYC was a BLACK M COUPE!
I saw the unforgetable shape from the rear ahead of me. It kinda looks like a Porsche, but once you get near... hehe.
We rolled our windows down and exchanged words. He asked about my rims, and I asked what year his was.... He said Stock!... :laugh
I was in third at this point, and just hammered it. He was in 4th so he lagged, then down shifted as I heard the "Ziiiiiiiiiiing" of the S54 motor. At this point I just kept on it with no chance of him catching up. We went different ways as we gave each other thumbs up..
Damn that car looks menacing in black!! THAT might be the next car!:stickoutt

Sweet runs Greg. I've gotta get my M Coupe blown. And your posts are definitely making my decision absolute. A couple more Nat Asp mods, like the Evo Pulleys and a lighter fly wheel, then I think I'll be ready to drop the cash on an SC.

You've got an RMS SC, right?

Nice work, Greg! :buttrock

Dave I wish I could say yes to that, but it wasn't even a challenge. I felt like a bully!

I was cruising next to a AMAZING yellow Turbo S Porsche, but the driver was older, and totally ignoring me. That would have been interesting.

M faust,
I have a ERT/RMS kit. The M coupe with forced induction simply puts the car into the Supercar classification. You go to a stage 2, and there isn't much that will keep with you.

I really had to instigate the one 911 Turbo I ran last year, takes lots of coaxing... :evil2

Greg were you driving an SC M Coupe?

Greg, how much power does your car put to the wheels? Also, what stage SC do you have? And how much is the stage 2 SC kit that you are talking about? Thanks

Originally posted by SilverStreak
I really had to instigate the one 911 Turbo I ran last year, takes lots of coaxing... :evil2

Don't tell me you managed to take a turbo...

Originally posted by Sticky
Don't tell me you managed to take a turbo...

Well, it could be true. I think Greg's car puts out a lot of power, but we'll have to wait and see till he posts about it and answers my questions :D

Nice job Greg.

Do you feel that the M Coupe is much lighter than your former e36 M3 or just a little bit lighter? You're taking out a lot of cars with just a Stage I kit.

Originally posted by dave is cool
Well, it could be true. I think Greg's car puts out a lot of power, but we'll have to wait and see till he posts about it and answers my questions :D

I meant silver though.

Fatemaker,
the car is indeed supercharged.

CoolDave,
I have not been to the dyno recently since I upped the boost to 8.5... However according the math, the car should make 310-320WHP...
I got my kit used for $3K, and the stage 2 kit cost about the same. I would buy that used as well. No need to make Osh richer than he is. :D

Quest,
Does the M coupe feel lighter? It simply feels more nimble. The response is much more instantaneous and violent. The E36 felt numb, and high up compared. The M coupe feels less restricted for some reason. As if there is less hindering the power from getting to the ground. It uses every HP to its full potential.

In the M coupe, you sit at the same level as the engine, and so close to the rear axel that you feel every twitch of the ass end. (Which takes some getting used to...)

When you hit 1st hard, the ass slowly kicks out to one side which you need to counter steer, then shift to 2nd, which brings it the other way. It will do this as you go into third too! Amazing, considering you have M5 sized 275s in the back spinning like mad!!
I first felt this in Ferrarokids car!! I was like HOLY SHIT!!! Then thought to myself, its going to be expensive to replicate!!! :D

give an e46 driver a serious run for his money? i don't think thats true at all?

the performance specs of the E36 and 350z are almost identical, i have pulled on 350z's easily in the e36.

You must have raced someone who didn't know what they were doing... Perhaps.
The one I encountered car moved quite well. I raced my friend in his E36 M3, and I didn't walk from him, I ran! I put 15 easy car lengths on him from 70 -140.
Again, the E 46 M driver could have been pathetic too!

yeah i guess there are a lot of things that could have happened..

but looking at the stats, power, weight,etc the e36 and 350z are VERY identical aren't they?

I don't have their stats... But the E36 is strong pound for pound!

Originally posted by Sticky
Don't tell me you managed to take a turbo...

Well, it wasn't a "race" cuz it wasn't from a dead stop... ;)

But we had some fun on the highway, from 65-135 mph, and then from 70-130 mph. Dead even the whole way, he'd gain 3 inches when I shifted, and I'd gain them back when he shifted.... dead even. This was last summer... thread should be around here somewhere...

Silver does your car have the same engine as mine?

Nice Kill Greg, I envy you and your car.

I would kill myself if I had that much power :)

It started as an engine identical to yours, yes.

Here's my mods (also in my sig pic):

2001 Silver Z3 3.0 Roadster, 5 spd

RMS Vortech V2 SQ with Aftercooler, 9 psi, CAI,
36 lb Fuel Injectors, Dinan 71mm Throttle Body,
Dinan Cat-Back Exhaust, BFG 275/40-17 DRs

321.2 rwhp, 290.3 rwtq

11.71@115.6 mph w/1.648 60'
2970 lb raceweight


The real key there is the 2970 lb raceweight. In drag racing-speak, "raceweight" = driver + car + fuel, etc...

Greg and Dave, are there problems with the SC kits for the M Coupe and Z3? I have heard of people having problems with their kits, one of them being a member on this borad with an M Roadster, Sean. Is the RMS supercharger reliable for the M Coupe? Reason I ask is because I am debating whether or not to get an S54 M Coupe in a few years, or an S52 and supercharge it. 310 RWHP equates to how much BHP? Also, the Stage 2 kit costs about $3k? How much power does the Stage 2 kit put out? Greg, you have the stage 1 kit, correct? Thanks

"Greg and Dave, are there problems with the SC kits for the M Coupe and Z3?"

Depends, yes there can be some problems, but that goes without saying with s/c kits for any model and make of car. Folks tend to have good luck with Dinan s/c kits on the whole, the biggest complaint I have heard is they want more power, which requires more boost, and with that proper cooling, etc...

Some folks have had tuning issues with RMS. And some folks have had tuning issues and some hardware issues with ESS.

"I have heard of people having problems with their kits, one of them being a member on this borad with an M Roadster, Sean."

Yes, unfortunately Sean has had some major issues to contend with, with his car. Keep in mind he has the S54 motor in his car, and he's tackling unchartered territory with his mods for that motor. Hopefully his issues will be rectified soon.

"Is the RMS supercharger reliable for the M Coupe? Reason I ask is because I am debating whether or not to get an S54 M Coupe in a few years, or an S52 and supercharge it."

Well, my advice would be to wait until you are closer to actually purchasing. Reason being, the S54 is still sorta new for the aftermarket tuners, so give them time. If you're not buying for 2 yrs, for example, there could be a whole slew of new goodies available then, that aren't available now.

For sure, though, the S52 has a larger aftermarket than the S54, and with many more options when it comes to considering s/c's or turbo's.

"310 RWHP equates to how much BHP?"

On a Z3 based car? Roughly 360 bhp...

"Also, the Stage 2 kit costs about $3k?"

If you're referring to RMS' Stage 2 kit, it depends. If you buy it all at once, they will likely give you a price break, like with my car, adding the Stage 2 components added $2K to the price. If bought later, I think it's $2400-$2600?? Not 100% sure on that price, though...

"How much power does the Stage 2 kit put out?"

Depends on the car. On an S52, they up the boost from Stage 1 and usually get an additional 30-40 rwhp from it.

"Greg, you have the stage 1 kit, correct?"

I'll let Greg respond with the specifics on his car, but if I recall he has a bit of a hybridized bastardized version, like I do. I think Greg has a Stage 1 kit, essentially, and added Water Injection for cooling. Whereas, the RMS Stage 2 makes use of an aftercooler.

My car has an aftercooler, but it's not a typical one RMS uses for Stage 2, it's a special unit from Vortech, and one I can add ice to for the track, etc.

If you really wanna go nuts, go Stage 3 RMS, like Phil did, he has a perfectly tuned car, an S52, and about 385 rwhp... :evil2

Hey Dave, thanks for the response. Those were the exact responses I was looking for. I'll PM Phil and ask him about his car. I actually saw his car at a car show back when he had stahe Stage 1 kit, about a year ago, and his car was awesome. I also saw his WRX, amazing car. Any idea how much the Stage 3 costs? Also, the whole Stage 2 kit, oncluding everything, costs around $3k, or is that just the upgrades from a Stage 1? Thanks

"Any idea how much the Stage 3 costs? Also, the whole Stage 2 kit, oncluding everything, costs around $3k, or is that just the upgrades from a Stage 1?"

Again, I can't quote exactly, but Stage 3 is likely over $10K, Phil could answer better than I could. And yes, that Stage 2 is $2-3K on top of the cost for Stage 1 ($5-6K).

Cool Dave,
SilverSteak made some great points. As usual:12:
However specifically to the M coupe, there is an issue of engine heat. The Coupe/Roadster have a tendancy to get much warmer than the E36 M3s.
I am fighting that issue right now. Though it's not a problem, I'm trying to prevent potential problems.
Thus far, the car has been hassle free.

Things to consider:
Bigger Radiator
Oil Cooler