97 M3 performance questions
avramdolen
11-25-2003, 08:08 PM
I just got my first BMW a 97 M3 coupe. I love the car and am interested in improving it's engine performance. I have heard that the first step is to get a chip. Does anybody have any good recommendations for what is the best out there? I have heard Dinan is good but overpriced. What would be the next thing to do. Air intake? Exhaust? I don't want to turn my car into anything loud and obnoxious, just want to increase hp and torque. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!
IR/IR04M3
12-05-2003, 05:51 PM
A 97 is OBD II so it is a software upload not a chip (only the 95 was OBD I) Confroti's Shark is solid and not outrageously priced. m3forum.com has a solid e36 forum, with lots of tuning info.
Vandy
Vandy
E36DJ
12-08-2003, 03:33 AM
I have the conforti shark on my 97 M3 and it totally transformed the car.
There really isn't any "cheap" mod for an OBD2 M3 (or bmw in general for that matter.) Exhaust will give you 5hp tops, for $800 if you get some quality stuff. Intakes run $350 (again, for the right company; active autowerke, jim conforti, etc) and give you around 8hp.
The chip is advertised with increasing hp by 40 in some areas of the power band, peak hp is increased by about (figure you'll get 250 at the crank.)
In addition to the hp gains, torque is also increased significantly. Throttle response is improved dramatically (just touching the gas will push you into your seat in any gear, at virtually any engine speed.)
The redline is also increased to 7k (I've heard rumors of 7.2k in 1st) although anything after 6.3k is out of the engine's peak power band, shifting at 7k in 1st-3rd will increase your 1/4 mile time, as it lands your next gear right at the power band and you'll pull harder. Top speed limiter is also removed, although the M3's speed is gear limited (in other words, the engine will redline in 5th gear even though it might still have the ability to go faster.) The new redline means your car will have a higher top speed (160 probably.)
This is all worth the $300-$350 price. The best thing is that it plugs into your ECU port, takes ~10 minutes tops to reprogram, and your car is totally changed.
Talk to me if you are interested; [email protected]
There really isn't any "cheap" mod for an OBD2 M3 (or bmw in general for that matter.) Exhaust will give you 5hp tops, for $800 if you get some quality stuff. Intakes run $350 (again, for the right company; active autowerke, jim conforti, etc) and give you around 8hp.
The chip is advertised with increasing hp by 40 in some areas of the power band, peak hp is increased by about (figure you'll get 250 at the crank.)
In addition to the hp gains, torque is also increased significantly. Throttle response is improved dramatically (just touching the gas will push you into your seat in any gear, at virtually any engine speed.)
The redline is also increased to 7k (I've heard rumors of 7.2k in 1st) although anything after 6.3k is out of the engine's peak power band, shifting at 7k in 1st-3rd will increase your 1/4 mile time, as it lands your next gear right at the power band and you'll pull harder. Top speed limiter is also removed, although the M3's speed is gear limited (in other words, the engine will redline in 5th gear even though it might still have the ability to go faster.) The new redline means your car will have a higher top speed (160 probably.)
This is all worth the $300-$350 price. The best thing is that it plugs into your ECU port, takes ~10 minutes tops to reprogram, and your car is totally changed.
Talk to me if you are interested; [email protected]
Audi Ryder
12-16-2003, 01:30 AM
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