Few could argue that, in its heyday, the second generation M3 was one of (if not the) best performance cars under 40 grand. German engineering, compact styling, five seats, coupe or sedan bodies, excellent braking, unprecedented handling and a torquey 240hp engine hauling just 3200 lb to low-14sec quarters were the traits of a highly desirable car in the '90s.In 2009, it's hard to imagine a decade has past since the last E36 M3 rolled off the showroom floor. The good news is they're still incredible value at around $10-12000k for a good used one.
Bassam Hannaway picked up his '95 M3 with just 40k miles on the odometer a few years ago. Having a close friend obsessed with modifying this particular car, Bassam knew it wouldn't stay original for long.
With a strong engine dynoing at 217whp, he started with a BimmerWorld stage 1 intake setup comprising a European-spec air-mass sensor, Conforti software and AFE intake kit. This netted him just under 230whp. Shortly after, the urge for more power led to Schrick cams and the motor exceeded 240whp.
Gauges in console are only...
Gauges in console are only clue to the car's potential
With a goal of 330whp, the newly-rebuilt Vortech V2 SQ (super quiet) blower was in good shape but no software was included. He tried unsuccessfully to get it running for almost a year until he finally took the car to evosport in Huntington Beach, CA for its fully programmable AEM plug-n-play engine management system. Then it was game-on.
While nobody knew for sure how much torque the supercharger would make, Bassam realized the stock clutch wouldn't be able to cope, so evosport recommended a six-puck single-disc clutch from OS Giken before dyno tuning could begin.
Keeping a very close eye on knock, especially with the engine at its stock 10.5:1 compression ratio, evosport conservatively tuned Bassam's car to an impressive 390whp at 7000rpm, momentary seeing 14psi boost at max power on their Dynojet 248C dyno.
Vortech supercharged S50 motor...
Vortech supercharged S50 motor produces great power and torque, as shown in the dyno graph
Cruising around town, the car is sedate, feeling stock except for a slightly louder exhaust. But let her rip off the line, and with 240 lb-ft of torque available at 3000rpm, it's a tire-spinning frenzy that doesn't let up.
A quick shift into second gear makes things scarier, with the tail violently pitching left to right, and now I'm fighting to stay straight at near highway speeds.
Shifting into the money gear, the tires finally hook-up. The thrust as the revs climb is nothing short of amazing. Unlike a turbo system of equal power with a torque curve resembling the shape of a bell, a centrifugal supercharger keeps the torque in a flat but consistent upward climb. Therefore, the engine feels somewhat like a stock M3 - only on steroids. The boost pins you harder and harder into the seat as you approach redline.