1st mods to increase performance

[Nicname]

was wondering what are the must have first few mods to start improving performance. So far i only got an axle back but my buddy got a new R & D air filter and was claiming it adds 5 hp so I'm in the hunt for some cheaper mods that adds to the car

[kevin @ eas]

Originally Posted by Nicname

was wondering what are the must have first few mods to start improving performance. So far i only got an axle back but my buddy got a new R & D air filter and was claiming it adds 5 hp so I'm in the hunt for some cheaper mods that adds to the car

Pulleys, x-pipe and a tune are great ways to add some HP without breaking the bank. Here is a thread we did with basic bolt ons showing bang for buck on mods: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=649151

[Oxymoron]

If you spend about an hour actually reading stuff around here you will see there are already numerous threads answering this very question.
You will probably learn a lot more finding the answers yourself also

[LucWerkz]

Originally Posted by Nicname

was wondering what are the must have first few mods to start improving performance. So far i only got an axle back but my buddy got a new R & D air filter and was claiming it adds 5 hp so I'm in the hunt for some cheaper mods that adds to the car

You can take out your cats if you want to keep your existing axle back. It's not really legal but still. Or you could just save up and go for an ESS supercharger, a huge wing/spoiler, and flaming skull stickers.

[kwike92]

Originally Posted by lthai

You can take out your cats if you want to keep your existing axle back. It's not really legal but still. Or you could just save up and go for an ESS supercharger, a huge wing/spoiler, and flaming skull stickers.

flaming skull....bahahahahahaha

[crabman]

Probably going to be Turner test pipes and a tune for the cheapest actual power. Air filters pull numbers that fall into natural variability on multiple dyno runs. I got one for the sound though as I like induction noise.

Sadly much like Corvettes and other cars the low hanging fruit just isn't to be had anymore. Losing the cats or going to higher flow units is always there but otherwise ya gots to pay if you want real power.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Nicname

was wondering what are the must have first few mods to start improving performance. So far i only got an axle back but my buddy got a new R & D air filter and was claiming it adds 5 hp so I'm in the hunt for some cheaper mods that adds to the car

There are only three things you can really do to the M3 to improve engine performance.

1. Remove the primary cats and get a hardware specific ECU tune ($) Downside: not emissions legal and only modest gains

2. Supercharge it ($$$) Downside: stress on engine internals and you will need new bigger wheels, tires, brakes, to handle the power

3. get the Dinan stroker motor ($$$$): Downside: big bucks and you will need new bigger wheels, tires, brakes to handle the power

Anything else is really a waste of time and money unless you do one of the above mentioned mods. The M3 is spectacular out of the box. It is tough and expensive to improve on and, as such, really is not a good modding platform.

[tibra1]

Save your money..if you want better power/weight performance..get into the right platform for it..Porsche there is no substitute

[crabman]

Nah, dollar for dollar a vette will leave a P car crying like a little girl with a skinned knee. But thats fodder for a different thread...

[tibra1]

Diff strokes

[Rekrul]

Originally Posted by VVG

There are only three things you can really do to the M3 to improve engine performance.

1. Remove the primary cats and get a hardware specific ECU tune ($) Downside: not emissions legal and only modest gains

2. Supercharge it ($$$) Downside: stress on engine internals and you will need new bigger wheels, tires, brakes, to handle the power

3. get the Dinan stroker motor ($$$$): Downside: big bucks and you will need new bigger wheels, tires, brakes to handle the power

Anything else is really a waste of time and money unless you do one of the above mentioned mods. The M3 is spectacular out of the box. It is tough and expensive to improve on and, as such, really is not a good modding platform.

Honestly.. the Dinan X pipe.. or any catless xpipe will make the car a good bit faster. It is kind of nuts how much this car gains, given how tuned it is. Add an actual tune and some pulleys and you will walk a stock m3.

[LaurenceCly]

You will probably learn a lot more finding the answers yourself also

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by crabman

Nah, dollar for dollar a vette will leave a P car crying like a little girl with a skinned knee. But thats fodder for a different thread...

The Corvette is a spectacular car, especially the Z06. In fact, it is one of the finest performers on the planet, regardless of cost. I hear an interior fix is on the way too for the C7 model. Gotta say, I am very impressed with what is coming out of the US lately in terms of quality, performance and price at all levels.

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

X- pipe, tune, filter, pulley.

+1 (I always agree with SehrSchnell no matter what)

[crabman]

Originally Posted by VVG

The Corvette is a spectacular car, especially the Z06. In fact, it is one of the finest performers on the planet, regardless of cost. I hear an interior fix is on the way too for the C7 model. Gotta say, I am very impressed with what is coming out of the US lately in terms of quality, performance and price at all levels.

Yeah, had two of them. Next time I think I would just get the grand sport by whatever name they throw on it for C7 and mount a blower instead of getting the Z. Just as fast but a lot cheaper plus I missed popping the top off like I could in the base car before it. We'll see what they come up with. I like V8s which is why I never gave an M3 a go before but did now. Also why I'm unlikely to do another round in this one so its very possible I"ll end up going that way again in MY14. I'd wait for the initial rush to go by though, I never did forgive myself for paying over msrp for the C6 when they came out.

[Templar]

Originally Posted by Kyoshi71

+1 (I always agree with SehrSchnell no matter what)

+2 to both

My next item on the to-do list is the x-pipe and tune (catless of course!)

[Lagunae92]

probably add-on carbon fiber

[KG3356MT]

Originally Posted by VVG

There are only three things you can really do to the M3 to improve engine performance.

1. Remove the primary cats and get a hardware specific ECU tune ($) Downside: not emissions legal and only modest gains

2. Supercharge it ($$$) Downside: stress on engine internals and you will need new bigger wheels, tires, brakes, to handle the power

3. get the Dinan stroker motor ($$$$): Downside: big bucks and you will need new bigger wheels, tires, brakes to handle the power

Anything else is really a waste of time and money unless you do one of the above mentioned mods. The M3 is spectacular out of the box. It is tough and expensive to improve on and, as such, really is not a good modding platform.

I agree. I do not have an M3 but have driven a few of them. It's such a wonderful machine stock right off the showroom floor. OP save your cash and enjoy your car.

[In Extremis]

You'll notice a difference with catless xpipe and tune. High flow cats are good too. I personally wouldn't worry about anything else before I had that.

[Pak317]

Originally Posted by tibra1

Save your money..if you want better power/weight performance..get into the right platform for it..Porsche there is no substitute

+1

[Verify]

First thing, get a primary cat delete. I just did and the car is definatly faster. You can opt for the Turner stuff, or just pay a shop to make a set for about $100. That's what I did, installed today, just got back from a test drive and I'm very impressed! So glad I did it.

Off topic, but how long do u guys think before I see a CEL?