RogueM3

I thought I would ask you all what you thought about my current/impending situation.

I currently have a 1995 M3 thats pretty much to the max of NA power (bigger motor, coilovers, brembos, shorter gearing, software, hfm, etc, etc,) and am pretty much looking at my next step with the car. This next step happens to be a Stage 2 turbo kit from www.techniquetuning.com. With a full 3" exhaust, the kit will cost $8000 and I will be able to produce ~415rwhp @ 14psi. This kit is totally proven, and most everyone seems to love it.

My perdicament is that, I have loved 951s for quite some time (ever since I heard about a Protomotive tuned 951 more than 4 years ago). While I would love to have a 400+rwhp M3, I would also love a 951.

Do you guys think I would be better served spending the $8k on the turbo kit, or should I save until I have ~$10K and find a good condition 951.

The M3 is already totally sorted out, and well modified, whereas the 951 would make me want to add suspension, A Vitesse S2 kit, Exhaust, wheels, etc.

So, a 951, or a crazy-fast M3?

aeronautica86

I'd keep the m3 and save up a bit for a good 951; for $12K you ought to be able to find a decently modded 951 with some suspension/engine work

RogueM3

Thanks for the response. The M3 is staying, no doubt about it. Now its just the question of: Do I modify the M3 further, or just buy a 951 to accompany it?

rberry951

That's a tough call. It's all about what YOU want though. If I were standing in your shoes right now I would find a decent 951 and build it into a 400+hp car. Can be done for under 8K to make that out of the M3, that's for sure. I would look for a fairly unmodified 951 engine wise, but had a rock solid suspension, and then work on the power.

But that's just me...

Regards,
Russell

eclou

I have a 260rwhp 97 M3 with a 6spd and 3.64 diff. About 50k in it including purchase price in 98. I have an 86 944 turbo with 310rwhp. About 15k in it including purchase price in 2001. I prefer driving the 944, and had I known what I know now would have saved $$$$$ in modding the M3 and just gone straight to the 944

jturbo

In hindsight I would have bought a C6 Corvette with 100,000 mile warranty and enjoyed the car instead of repairing / modding my 951 and never having time to enjoy it.

Flame retardant suite now on.

MM951

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/car/204827644.html nice car in NYC

We have similar desires. I want an e36 325/328/M3 + boost, but a 951 is in hte blood..

RogueM3

Ive come to the understanding that Im going to need more than $8k into the car alone (no mods included) in order to have a reliable base from which to work.
True, but a 260whp M3 doesnt feel the same as would a 400rwhp M3. I just want to make sure that the 951 in combination with my M3 will be more fun than my M3 would be alone, but with 400rwhp.
That car looks great. Im not really looking to pick up a guards red car, though its not totally out of the question. I think Id like a blue or deep silver. The E36 chassis is incredible, I have loved mine for the past 4 years since I've had it. That said, Ive always really loved turbocharged cars and the 951 is incredible.


I guess I would probably have more fun with both cars, as opposed to just the Turbocharged M3, but I dont want to get myself into a situation where the 951 becomes a money-pit whereas the M3 is totally sorted out and maintained.


Decisions, Decisions ...Keep the comments coming!

silverbullet

Maybe you need a ride in Dfastest's or Special Tool's machine..... that'll settle it!

rberry951

Definitely, I meant for much less than 8K in mods to an already decent 951, not 8K total.

Russell

RogueM3

They do have sick cars, and if I went ahead with the 951 purchase, I probably wouldnt come anywhere near their levels of power. Id probably shoot for Lart's numbers with mine: 340rwhp

I went for a ride recently in a friends 97 M3 with a Stage 2 turbo kit on it, making 415rwhp, and it was pretty crazy. Such fluid yet absurd power.

special tool

The 95 M3 is one of the best cars around to modify, but WHY don't you pull those pistons and get 8:1 - then you can have 800 RWHP???? That's about 2 days work and el-cheapo off the rack forged JE pistons for that pig-iron block.........

Tim at SFR will make you a REAL set of headers (not ridiculous log style) and John at Vitesse will help you with the Motronic if you beg - he has code for YOUR car.

porshhhh951

I say keep the m3 and buy a 951. Slowly when you get more and more money start modding the 944 turbo. It can best you're m3 in every respect.

although a buddy of mine had a turbo e36 back in the day and that thing was just siiiiiick. Im on the fence on this one. One question is that 415hp on pump fuel. If it is....arghh I don't know. Tough call.

Turbo M's are just sooo pretty.

ShApE

mod the m3 for sure.

RogueM3

Well, the rods are the weakest link in the system (as agreed and now slowly being proven by those pushing the envelope). Id also need a fuel system, and a totally custom turbo kit in order to make 800rwhp. As of yet the only guys to break the 700rwhp+ barrier are the GUYS at ICS Performance, and I wouldnt be taking my car there any time soon considering the horror stories Ive heard about the shop.

I guess, im looking at a 415rwhp M3 as that would be a rough monetary equal to the 951. (in this case, the $8k mark)

Tim is only working on the "real" set of headers as we speak, he hasnt finished them yet. (the car he is doing it for is for a friend of mine named Cameron) He is going to make a jig for them when he finishes, so thats certainly an option. However, as I said above, that would start to blow the $8k budget out of the water, as it would be a totally custom kit. As far as Tuning, Nick Glantzis as Technique Tuning has the code, and the appropriate blow-thru HFM, but he charges big $$ for his custom tunes. Most people who go with custom kits, are now opting to go with the Electromotive TEC3R as its just a cheaper (all said and done) and easier way to go about the tuning.

The 415rwhp is on pump 93 @ 13psi. Some guys are pushing it to 15psi with 16psi spikes using Water Injection with no adverse issues whatsoever. They havent dynoed but it would be safe to say that they would be close to 450rwhp at 15psi.

Its so hard because both are so damn appealing...