Sorry, misread your line describing the price of the GT3 vs. 996 Turbo.
<<You forget that If we are talking about pre-owned cars, as you are about an E36. A 99' 996 can be purchased for around 55,000.00. You could add the super charger to it, be at 400 Hp and still be under 70 Grand, You would already have Brembo's on it "ala factory"
I dosent matter how much HP your engine has, There is still the factor of getting the car to hook up and go, Where an all wheel drive turbo would have an advantage. >>
True, I am really only referring to which car, the M3 or the 996, gives the best "bang-for-the-buck". And I agree that the stock 996, in any year, is a higher performance platform than an E36 M3, and very close to the performace of an E46 (still debatable, I'm sure). But it is also considerably more expensive, leaving a lot of room for the very flexible M3 to be modified up to the total cost of the Porsche.
As for traction, I do indeed have a great respect for the traction characteristics of the C4-class 911 platform, and I'd actually like to see the theoretical experiments we are discussing sitting on a track side-by-side to see what the outcome would be. The traction characteristics of the M3 also shouldn't be overlooked, as my car is not far from 300bhp, and I actually have trouble spinning a tire (even without DSC). Traction and handling specs of the E36 M3 are impressive, and the real-world experience is even better. And the modification possibilities are wide-ranging, so the already impressive specs can be greatly improved upon while still keeping the price below that of a comparible 996 (even a pre-owned one).
As I see it, you are a fan of the 996 and I am a fan of the M3, and we'll probably never sway each other's position on this matter. But we also clearly both have a respect for both platforms, and that's about the best we can do for middle ground.
As for my affinity for "sleepers", you are right on the money! My M3 is naturally-aspirated, and it will stay that way. My performance goal is to see how fast I can make an N/A E36 M3 go with the original W50USB30. I say I can get ~325bhp (maybe more) with only bolt-on mods and a cam kit.
Since we all know that 325 German hp = ~450 American hp, I look forward to destroying the confidence of many a Z06 Corvette owner out there!
My final goal...a sub-4.5 second E36 M3, with a naturally-aspirated US-spec engine. Pulling a second or more off the stock 0-60 spec with minor mods should be considered a decent accomplishment!
Future purchases (after the E36 project is complete):
> BMW X5 4.6i (Unless anyone can talk me into a Cayenne
But do I REALLY NEED to get to 60 faster than 6.2 secs in an SUV???)
> Porsche 996 (the more I learn about them)
In regard to your friend putting an LS1 engine into a Cyclone...I have yet to run into one of the GM "supertrucks", but I'm sure I will someday. Didn't the Typhoon have something like a 4.3 second 0-60 time? There's something about an M3 or a 996 getting smoked by a pickup truck that just doesn't seem right to me!
Anyway, thanks for the insight on everything!