2003 BMW M3
Every year we struggle to find the meaning of the SEMA show. Sure it showcases the latest and greatest automotive innovations and show cars North America has to offer, but its relevance to the European car community always leaves us wanting more. Yet each year there are usually one or two standout vehicles that tickle our noses; cars that stops us in our tracks like VWoA's R GTI (et 12/06) or Evolve's C30 (et 4/07).
Let's rewind the tapes four years ago to the '05 show and Eric Shih's '03 BMW M3 (et 4/06) comes to mind. Featured in the Kinesis Wheels booth, the widebody M3 turned heads with its Lamborghini blue paint, black 'n blue 20s, Brembo brakes and suede-clad stereo. The M3 was the pinnacle of E46 styling and, in due course, Eric won car shows across the United States for the next two years. However, times have changed. Just when we believed Eric was done, he's returned with the same M3 revived with edgier looks and supercharged power.
Blown S54
BMW M3s powered by the throaty 3.2-liter straight six have roamed the streets since '00. Nine years later, its development has brought a large array of power upgrades, such as forced induction, headers, a dozen combinations of exhausts and intakes plus software.
When et originally featured Eric's ride, a carbon GruppeM intake and titanium Dixis exhaust were the only parts fitted. While the exhaust remains on the car today, Eric embraced the S54's potential saying hello to a VF-Engineering supercharger.
Everything is wrapped in suede...
Everything is wrapped in suede including dash and CSL door panels
If you don't understand much about superchargers, they work as a compressor which forces more air into the engine's cylinders, thus increasing power and torque when extra fuel is added. There are several different types of superchargers and VF uses a centrifugal design manufactured by Vortech. This design uses an impeller to draw air into a small compressor housing. Centrifugal force then pushes the air out at higher speed. Finally, a diffuser increases the air pressure into the intake manifold.
Available in four stages, Eric opted for VF's stage two, which gave impressive power while maintaining daily-drivability. The Vortech blower is rated at 20psi, but stage two operated between 8 - 8.5psi. Larger Bosch fuel injectors and a MAF upgrade ensured the fuel mixture was always optimized.
The stage two kit also gets an air-to-water intercooler. Built within the intake manifold, it efficiently cools the hot, pressurized air produced by the blower. Eric also added Supersprint headers and pipes to guarantee the exhaust exited quickly as well. Finally, GIAC tuned the car with pump and race fuel options.
 Supercharged S54 motor pushes...  Supercharged S54 motor pushes 500whp and 335 lb-ft of torque |  The rollcage has a motorized...  The rollcage has a motorized monitor that flips down | |
Putting power to the rear wheels was the stock six-speed manual with an upgraded UUC Motorwerks clutch and lightened flywheel. To get the most out of each gear, Eric installed a BMW Motorsport 3.91:1 differential.
Eric explained that before all the engine work, the car was dyno-tested with the exhaust and intake at 266whp and 220 lb-ft. After VF performed its magic, the M3 put down 500whp and 335 lb-ft on the dyno using 97-octane. With 109-octane, Eric saw the dyno rollers measure 530whp!
Vivid 'N Vinyled At last, Eric's M3 wasn't just a show queen. It finally boasted some street credibility thanks to 500whp commanding the rear wheels. But after the same exterior for so many years, it started to look sedate in his eyes. Already familiar with Lamborghini's palette, he decided to try something new and revisited the Italian paint chart.
"My family recently picked up a Gallardo in Balloon white and I fell in love with it. So I picked the color for the M3, except I had the hood, roof and trunk matte-finished, inspired by the special edition Nera Gallardo," Eric explained.
The new paint was laid atop an already solid foundation of custom bodywork including wide front and rear fender flares with modified Strassentech bumpers and molded carbon side skirts. New for '09, vents were added in the rear of the front fenders to make the widebody more obvious.