BMW BOX

bbs track A burnout

I had the opportunity to test drive a car that had the Borla exhaust (I’m talking just the muffler, not any of the other Sec I, Sec II, Headers…), another car that had the Masterschaft SuS, and finally a supersprint. Personally I liked the Masterschaft rumbly, droney, throaty sound that I heard. It’s just so raw and naughty but not too loud like the supersprint. The performance was probably pretty free-flowing, but I don’t know the exact numbers. If you want a more professional sound, go with the Borla and their anti-rasp mid-section. I don’t mind the rasp around 3500RPM… it reminds me of this killer I6.

I put the Masterschaft SuS on my E46 and I’m hoping to hook it up to: evosport headers, Supersprint cat section, supersprint sec II. That should give a pretty mean sound and good flow!

When I get it all set up, I’ll post some vids, and exhaust notes here. I’ll try to run off and get some exhaust notes before the Sec I/II and before headers also!

Click a thumbnail to view full image. There’s an M5 in here too

Images courtesy m3forum.net.

Tired of the naturally aspirated HP/TQ curves? Active Autowerke came out with an impressive collection of supercharger systems for the E46 M3 and both supercharger and turbocharger systems for the E36 M3. The supercharger (stage 3) can knock up around 520 bhp and around 400 torque. That is awesome. Then there’s VF engineering (vortech! good quality, and I believe they are working on CA CARB compliance). The VF kit does around 400rwhp I believe, not too sure on that, but any of these SC systems should give the newly chipped 335i a good run for the money— Not to mention the new E92 M3

Recent attempts at turbocharging the very high compression E46 M3 have resulted in a few successful projects - the most popular one being the horsepowerfreaks m3 turbo kit. This thing can whip out 700+rwhp on 91 pump gas! I think they had the car on display at bimmerfest with around 1000rwhp, but I was not able to attend that sadly.

Photos courtesy m3forum.net, bmwusa.com.

Images (courtesy, m3forum.net):

Popular mods (for the E46 M3) include:

• Header swapout on the US Spec M3. The US M3 has the Catalytic Converters in the headers to allow them to heat up quicker to pass US emissions testing. This robs the exhaust gases of extra speed exiting the muffler as well as increases the chances of the cats “melting.” The best header swapouts that I am aware of include evosport E46 M3 headers, and the supersprint stepped headers. Previous supersprint headers had cracking issues. I myself plan to upgrade to the ceramic coated evosport headers later, but once you do the headers (in the US M3), expect to do the Cats and other exhaust sections at the same time.
• Short Shift Kits. UUC short shift kit is one such solution. Shorter throw, quicker shifting, ’nuff said.
• Hi-Flo Cats. The E46 BMW M3 Euro cat section incorporates two, side-by-side, 400-cell catalytic converters, offering an approximate 55% flow area. But these stock cats are still hugely restrictive. The US ones are worse, being in the headers. Enhancing power from within this area involves using higher-flow cats. This arrangement is the performance ideal - significantly reducing backpressure levels and enabling increased flow rates. Once fitted, one can expect much sharper throttle response from a now free-revving engine, with cooler operating temperatures.
• N/A: Hi-Flo Intake / Cold-Air Intake.
• Custom Software
• RTABs/RSMs
• Lightweight Clutch
• CSL Body Kits; OEM, Vorsteiner
• Differential Swap (3.91 or 4.10).
• Coilovers/Springs; Bilstein PSS9, Tein, Ground Control
• Big Brake Kits (BBKs); Brembo, StopTech
• Lightweight Wheels; my favorites: BBS RS-GT, RGR, CH; Volks
• Supercharger (and newer, HorsepowerFreaks Turbo!); active autowerke, VF engineering

An E46 GTR came to life on February 2001, powered by a 4000 cm³ V8 producing over 450 bhp.