1997 BMW M3 - Open Wide

Cameron had experimented with two different turbo systems. After owning a single-turbo Supra he decided to turbocharge the M3 with a basic, bottom-mount turbo kit in '01. Stuck at around 300whp, he yanked it off in '04 and decided to build a custom system using a GT3082R turbo mounted on the top on the passenger side - one of the first in the world to attempt this. However, this conversion was limited to 416whp and wasn't going to be enough for this project.

Mounting the turbo at the top means its huge circumference is visible to all and negates the need for a scavenge pump to drain the oil from the turbo since gravity plays its part. It would also allow him to swap turbos more easily for street and track use. Therefore, SFR utilized its skills to fabricate an intricate equal-length, tubular 321 stainless steel exhaust manifold that accepts either Cameron's choice of street-use PT67 P-trim (.68 AR) turbo or a PT76-GTS (.81 AR) for his visits to the strip.

To regulate boost, they chose a GReddy controller matched to an exhaust-routed 60mm Turbonetics NewGen wastegate. The turbo breathes through a V-band-clamped 3" downpipe that dumps to a 3.5" stainless system using a Magnaflow muffler with stealthy turn-down tips.

On the intake side, 3" aluminum piping passes the compressed air through a black Spearco intercooler core with SFR end tanks. The chilled air makes its way through a 80mm Accufab throttle body (64mm stock) and into SFR's aluminum intake manifold that sports internal velocity stacks. A large 50mm Turbonetics Godzilla blow-off valve vents to atmosphere when the throttle closes.

Driving
Not able to stare at the engine any longer, I strapped myself in, anxious to feel the delivery of the smaller 67mm turbo, even though it was set to its lower 15psi setting (about 500whp). Cruising at low RPM, the car seemed relatively docile and was easy to drive. The sound at part-throttle was akin to an E36 M3 with a loud aftermarket exhaust, so you could take your grandma out in this car. However, floor it past 4500rpm and you'll have her screaming, looking for an ejection seat.

Having driven several boosted M3s (and owning a T66-powered one myself), I was prepared to counter steer the inevitable torque-induced wheelspin through the first three gears in such a car. But when I turned onto a freeway onramp and floored it, the massive 315mm BFG Drag Radials hooked up in first gear with neck-snapping authority. As I raced through second and third gears, triple-digit speeds came up in a hurry, thanks to a top end that felt like we were about to take flight. I can't imagine what Cameron's "strip" setup with the PT76 turbo would be like.

My favorite part of the day was at the end, when we followed the M3 in our camera car - a 340bhp Audi S4. Even in its quiet cabin, with the windows rolled up, I could clearly hear the M3 making boost. The sound of so much air pushing its way through the SFR exhaust system was something I wish you could all hear. With a raw, menacing growl, it excites the senses in a way most people only expect to hear at the races.

When the M3 floored it, the S4 didn't stand a chance. And seeing that shiny widebody disappear into the distance, this has to be the sweetest E36 to date in my book.