Excellent questions, and I really don't know the answers. But they've been working on it a long time. I'm sure they would'nt be this close to releasing a final product if they haven't figured it out. qespecially Dinan...who is BMW's only authorized tuner.

 

Yeah, Dinan definitely knows their stuff. It'll be interesting to see what their solution is in the final kit. My guess is they'll be running a massive intercooler to keep the charge temp as low as possible (maybe even an intercooler and an aftercooler), will run a very fuel rich program which probably won't make it a smog-legal kit, retard the timing a bit, and possibly water injection too.

 

Tuner's have been promising a S/C kit for the S54 for the past year or two.
There is no way that you can supercharge that engine without lowering the compression, and not severly castrating the longevity of the engine.
And if they do start replacing internal parts, it's going to become prohibitively expensive. The S54 is at the edge of engine technology, so it's not easy & cheap to tinker with.
Hate to be cynical. but I'll believe it when I see it.

10 K for the S/C kit from Dinan?
Just take a look how much the S2 engine package for the M3 costs.
If Dinan does come out with a FI kit, your looking at about 20G's +.
Oh, and just for kicks, go see what a new S54 engine replacement costs. And while your at it, also a clutch, cuz the stock one's not going to last long with that power going through it. :eek:

I came to the conclusion a few months after buying my M that that car is a car that you have to take it as it is. It's never going to be much more than that, without sinking a small fortune into it.
Do yourself a favor. If your really interested in more performance, go get yoruself a Z. I did. Don't get me wrong, I still have a soft spot for the M3.
But it was never meant to be a race car. It's a luxury/performance car.





[Modified by tlaselva, 7:30 PM 1/11/2004]

 

Wow. An awful lot of mis-information here. Where do I start?

First off, the S/C from AA is here now. It was on the dyno a couple of weeks ago. Dinan says they plan to release theirs around the same time as AA, but I can't say exactly when that will be. AA Says within 3 months.

As far S/C'ing the engine without lowering the compression, it's already been done. I understand your cynisim, but you'll see it soon enough.

And yes, no more than 10k for the S/C. That includes a 50k warranty that covers not only the engine, but also the drivetrain components asd well. So, if the clutch goes, it's covered. This is nothing extraordinary as all of Dinan's superchargers are warrantied the exact same way. This one will be no different.

As far as the S-2 package, it is not just an engine package. It includes suspension, wheels, tires, exhaust, software, throttle body and intake. The wheels and tires alone cost just under 7k. The suspension is over 2k. The engine package by itself alone costs less than 7k. So 10k for the S/C seems about right.

The S54, while not nearly as moddable as an LS1, can be modded. I went from 270 rwhp when stock to 310 now (around 370 at the crank). That's with cat-back, software, intake and pulley. I've shaved 5/10's off my stock 1/4 mile time and increased my trap speed 4.5 MPH. Some other guys that have also added cams and hydrostatic fans are running at 390 at the crank. Anyone that thinks these cars can't be modded just haven't paying enough attention. With the power I'll be getting from a S/C, along with my suspension that I have now (coil-overs, sway-bars)...my 3250 lb luxo/performance M3 will put many, many "pure" sports cars to shame. Heck it already does now and I only have 370HP.

As far as why I don't get a Z06, well as much as I love them (I really do)..they are lacking in too many ways for me for it to be my only car. I definitely want a C6 Z06 to park next to M in a couple of years, but I would never actually replace my M with one.

You know that's one of the reasons this country is so great. The fact that there's so much variety out there:thumbs:

 

:skep: Better read the fine print on that warranty. I can't see them warrantying the factory clutch. A clutch is a wear item, subject to driving habits, just like brakes and tires. And there's no telling what condition the clutch was in before the supercharger install. Think about it - say for example you bring your 60k mile M3 in for a supercharger install, with a mostly worn clutch. You drive the car for a little while, roast the clutch, and bring it back to Dinan and say give me a new one? I don't think so.

The E46 M3 weighs 3,458 lbs. How did your car lose 200 lbs? :confused:

 

EOD_M3, I still hold to my position that the S54 engine is not as easily FI'd as your leading to believe. But then again, maybe Dinan can circumvent the rules of automotive engine's and reliably S/C a high compression engine.

Guess time will tell.

Enjoy your M. Form time to time, I swap cars with a buddy that kept his M3. (We bought our M's together.) I really do miss the M, as it does have it's strenghts. IMO, for the money, it's one of the best cars out there.
But my sediments only last long enough until I go WOT in my Z....... :reddevil


[Modified by tlaselva, 1:41 AM 1/12/2004]

 

Dinan makes really nice stuff, REALLY nice. But also big $$. These are the same people who released like a $1000 intake system (not totally sure on the price, but hey. And ANYTHING for the M3 is uber-expensive. Exhaust systems that were the same dimensions as my 240SX are selling for like 3x more. That alone pisses me off and why I'm not looking into one of them.

AA is really good too though. Their E36 (?) turbo kits are awesome, and produce excellent numbers.

In summary, Dinan = pay for the name, but a damned good product too. Stick to A&A.

 

Already did. My M has a 6 year/100,000 mile warranty on engine and drivetrain from the factory. Going with the S/C reduces it 50,000 miles. But it still covers the drivetrain and engine. Maybe they include a heavy duty clutch with the kit? I don't know. But the thing about Dinan is that their components HAVE to be installed by a Dinan certified BMW dealer or the warranty is no good. So, they really cover themselves, as well as the customer. Trust me on this; the warranty is just as I've said.

As far as weight, the unladen weight of an E46 M3 is 3415 lbs. I ordered mine without the moonroof which saved me 40 lbs. My car stock weighed 3381 on a certified and calibrated scale with 5 gallons of gas (unladen). Since then, I've installed a lightweight battery (36 lb loss), full cat-back exhaust (33 lb loss), Ground Control coil-overs/sway-bars (14 lb loss) and Recarro lightweight bucket seats (54 lb loss). Last time I weighed my car it was 3,244 lbs unladen. Next is lightweight wheels which will drop me to 3,209 lbs. And I'm not even that light...there's a guy that tracks his 2002 M3 in Texas quite a bit at a track-weight of 2990 and a street-weight of 3050. But he's removed too many things IMO.


[Modified by EOD_M3, 8:40 AM 1/12/2004]

 

Stock for stock the z06 will win hands down given equal drivers. As I said before the video shows how much the driver can play a part in racing......

 

EOD, thaks for the info. Actually, my comment came from the fact that inertial forces acting on the connecting rods are at the limit of the technology. I recall reading somewhere that the S54's piston speeds approach 84M/Sec, which is apparently very close to F1 engine territory. I remember that being one of the bragging rights BMW had from the tech perspective.

So my concern would be adding additional loading via S/C boost.

On the other hand, if Dinan will do it with a 50K unconditional TOTAL ENGINE warranty, then go for it. I am surprised they would offer such a thing (susually limited to the S/C belts etc.), but who knows.

What about the Harmann V-8 conversion? "B-50" or whatever it's called. Looks awesome.

 

hey ryan i drove a sl55 amg and wasnt impressed, the 55 is an awesome car but against my z it would be toast. just my .02

 

I know it sounds wrong, but I'm telling you they are easily 12.4x cars at 116mph all day long, if not faster. It'd be closer than you think. The SL55 doesn't FEEL as fast because of how smoothly the power is transferred.....but the times say differently. :yesnod:

 

Your in for a suprise if you think they're easy pickings.... :nono:

 

Inquired.
They quoted me 56G's Euro.... :eek:
That's not including shipping your car to Europe and back.

That's why the only one I've ever seen is from Hamann themselves..... :rolleyes:

Hummm, let me see.
In one hand, M50 M3 Conversion. 3400 lbs. Car with 400 HP.
Or, Z06 w/ Lingenfelter's 427 TT, 3300 lbs. Car with 800 HP, and $$$ left over.
Wow, that's a tough decision... :jester


[Modified by tlaselva, 4:31 PM 1/12/2004]


[Modified by tlaselva, 4:32 PM 1/12/2004]

 

toast! :smash:


[Modified by joe03z06, 10:18 AM 1/13/2004]


[Modified by joe03z06, 10:18 AM 1/13/2004]