5K to spend for HP increase

[spud]

2006 M3 vert. 7K miles bone stock.

I am very aware of the search button, so I will preface by that.

I have around 5k to spend to get some more HP. I see all the SC or Turbo kits out there, and the exhaust systems. It seems most of the Kits are hovering around 10 - 15K which i dont have to spend.

So if you Tune heads would be so kind to enlighten me on options for spending "around" 5K to get some more out of the car.

If you could provide links to parts, kits, exhausts for places that you recommend, I would be much appreciated as well.

Again, i clicked search, but with my budget, it seemed most of the results were for folks who had unlimited spending power.

Thanks

Alex

[bagher]

NOS Kit


N/A mods = flush your money down the toilet for similar effect

[spud]

excellent the exact kind of response id expect from a teenager.

I know 5K is pretty low, just want to know what my options were... if any..

[Rayce185]

I'd do some suspension mods and maybe exhaust before going into Performance. You don't want your car hauling @ss looking like an xi

[spud]

i hear ya, but im set on performance first.

[bagher]

I'm not a teenager. I am a previous E46 M3 owner. Don't ask for information then insult when you get a reply. The S54 is nearly max tuned from the factory. You can throw headers exhaust and software, but to get a couple of tenths faster off the 1/4 mile, is it worth $5000? Sell your vert and get a coupe if you are performance oriented.

[Rayce185]

Well the only way I'd go for some decent numbers is FI, and 5K will not be sufficient for that. Maybe wait a month or two and save up more cash? :dunno:

[MachRc]

dude VF has a payment plan for their 10k kit.

drop 4 gs

1 g for install.

save for two months, ppop out a g

and month squeeze out a G.

repeat for a few months and Bamm.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=532088&highlight=vf+supercharger


and yes m3 bolt on are too expensive for too little gain.

Ive seen some expensive fancy carbon fiber boxes and fancy pipes and ecu tuning.. but just a stage one blower will .. blow it away...

[spud]

You gave me an opinion i didnt ask for. A teenage response would be to add NOS. I am looking for serious folks who know what they are talking about to answer my question. If you dont know the answer then please move on.

I am not selling my car, it is a pretty straight forward question..

[bagher]

You gave me an opinion i didnt ask for. A teenage response would be to add NOS. I am looking for serious folks who know what they are talking about to answer my question. If you dont know the answer then please move on.

I am not selling my car, it is a pretty straight forward question..


I know you know Scott and he has NOs on his M3 Vert and last time I checked he was far from a teenager.

1. nos fits your budget
2. nos will give you a noticeable increase in power

it fits your criteria yet you dismiss it and act like a douche. Congratulations.

[Jeffxxx]

Replace the whole exhaust system. New headers, section 1/2 pipes, and dinan exhaust. :thumbsup:

Then get software such as this..

http://www.modbargains.com/product.aspx?pf_id=shark_s54_PR


That's exactly what I'm doing right now. Eventually getting an HPF turbo kit.

[Jeffxxx]

And NOS is cheap to buy, but to fill that bottle every time is pretty expensive, isn't it?

[jtrejo]

im running nos on a 06 vert also 100shot and have an extra kit for a m3 available let me know if your interested

[spud]

Pardon me for you taking offese. I am sure you are aware of the plethora of teenagers making the phrase "NOS man!" Between my sportbike and the M3, i was expecting Turbo KITS, SC, exhaust answers.. Not NOS DUDE..

You were rude from the start... time to move on..kthanksbai

[Activ3]

I would also recommend nitrous...

As mentioned, bolt ons will give you minimal gains. You can have a well setup nitrous kit for well less than $5k.

If you wanted to stay NA. Go for headers, maybe the 3.91 or 4.10, an ltw flywheel, and a tune.

[dubplaya]

Take your bikes out for a ride, ha!

For 5k,
Ebay headers (~20hp increase)
Midsection & muffler of choice
D/A software
(i forget if you are 6MT or SMg) but if 6MT get a SSK
Light weight flywheel
K&N intake
maybe coilovers? to help handling

nice to see you off .net lol, PM me if you need any other advice/install stuff

[spud]

what are the gains with that KIT? wear/tear on engine?

[spud]

thanks dub. it is a MT

[Activ3]

Pardon me for you taking offese. I am sure you are aware of the plethora of teenagers making the phrase "NOS man!" Between my sportbike and the M3, i was expecting Turbo KITS, SC, exhaust answers.. Not NOS DUDE..

You were rude from the start... time to move on..kthanksbai


While there may be a lot of teens using that phrase, I don't think it's fair to come on here and stereotype anyone that suggests or uses nitrous as a teenager.

I think it b0ki or 0boost or something that has a nitrous M3 that pulls on SC'd ones, and he is NOT a teenager. Nitrous and the S54 has proven to be a working combination, and I honestly don't think there is one teenager on here that has that setup.

I think that you came on here without the knowing the entire situation, that many M's are successfully running nitrous safely. Bagher had one of the sickest M's on the board, I think he knows what he's talking about.

A reasonable response would've been to simply point out that you are looking for a route other than nitrous, instead of being "rude" about it. Regardless, good luck with your car and hopefully you find a setup that suites you :thumbup:

[spud]

dont need to factor in cost for install, i have that covered.

[spud]

While there may be a lot of teens using that phrase, I don't think it's fair to come on here and stereotype anyone that suggests or uses nitrous as a teenager.

I think it b0ki or 0boost or something that has a nitrous M3 that pulls on SC'd ones, and he is NOT a teenager. Nitrous and the S54 has proven to be a working combination, and I honestly don't think there is one teenager on here that has that setup.

I think that you came on here without the knowing the entire situation, that many M's are successfully running nitrous safely. Bagher had one of the sickest M's on the board, I think he knows what he's talking about.



In that case, my apologies to bagher and others. i am used to idiots saying stupid things like that plenty often. Bagher's post was short and i interpreted it as the usual duude....response.

[Activ3]

In that case, my apologies to bagher and others. i am used to idiots saying stupid things like that plenty often. Bagher's post was short and i interpreted it as the usual duude....response.
Thats cool bro :thumbup:

If you're going to stay NA, I'd look into the 3.91 or 4.10 gears for sure :)

[spud]

How do folks feel about this
http://www.modbargains.com/product.aspx?pf_id=shark_s54_PR

And the NOS Kit ?

Realistic RWHP gains? 50 HP?

[spud]

oof, nm on that shark kit. only 8 HP gain. boo

[ridin325]

I dont know about anyone else but nitrous is called nitrous not nos. Nos is a manufactor and ever since fast and the furious came out everone is calling nitrous nos. So i am guessing spud thought he didnt know what he was talking about since he said nos instead of nitrous. I am not trying to start anything just tryin to clear some things up.

[bagher]

Pardon me for you taking offese. I am sure you are aware of the plethora of teenagers making the phrase "NOS man!" Between my sportbike and the M3, i was expecting Turbo KITS, SC, exhaust answers.. Not NOS DUDE..

You were rude from the start... time to move on..kthanksbai


How was I rude? by recommending you something that fit your criteria and trying to save you from wasting your hard earned money?

While there may be a lot of teens using that phrase, I don't think it's fair to come on here and stereotype anyone that suggests or uses nitrous as a teenager.

I think it b0ki or 0boost or something that has a nitrous M3 that pulls on SC'd ones, and he is NOT a teenager. Nitrous and the S54 has proven to be a working combination, and I honestly don't think there is one teenager on here that has that setup.

I think that you came on here without the knowing the entire situation, that many M's are successfully running nitrous safely. Bagher had one of the sickest M's on the board, I think he knows what he's talking about.

A reasonable response would've been to simply point out that you are looking for a route other than nitrous, instead of being "rude" about it. Regardless, good luck with your car and hopefully you find a setup that suites you :thumbup:

Thanks for the props, I appreciate it.

In that case, my apologies to bagher and others. i am used to idiots saying stupid things like that plenty often. Bagher's post was short and i interpreted it as the usual duude....response.

Apology accepted

I dont know about anyone else but nitrous is called nitrous not nos. Nos is a manufactor and ever since fast and the furious came out everone is calling nitrous nos. So i am guessing spud thought he didnt know what he was talking about since he said nos instead of nitrous. I am not trying to start anything just tryin to clear some things up.

Correct. nos is a brand just like people say "kleenex" instead of tissue paper. Nos is still nitrous though.

[jtrejo]

i use nitrous express.

[Rayce185]

I dont know about anyone else but nitrous is called nitrous not nos. Nos is a manufactor and ever since fast and the furious came out everone is calling nitrous nos. So i am guessing spud thought he didnt know what he was talking about since he said nos instead of nitrous. I am not trying to start anything just tryin to clear some things up.It's nitrous oxide, or even more precise, Bi-nitrogen oxide. But it is true that NOS is just a brand name, like Nitrous Express is.

[BimmerDude18]

I also say you should go nitrous. Its about $4 a lb, sometimes $6 if you can't get a good price. 10 lb bottle should last quite a few sprays depending on what jet you run. You can shoot 100-150 pretty safely, I've seen 200's, Activ3 could give you a better idea on that than I can though.

If you are looking for real world power gains, you can't beat nitrous for up front costs.

The downsides are obvious, its only there when you spray and you have to refill it. Not to mention various detriments to the engine (I think they are less consequential than some make them out to be).

The reason its the boy-racer response, is because its cheap. Unfortunately, seeing as everything else for the M3 (short of FI) does little in terms of making power, its your best bang for buck.

Gears, headers, tune, and suspension would get my money, but its a matter of what you want from the car.

Also - don't write off a blower. You can get a kit for 7-8k from Active (stage I) and it would be worth it if you can stretch your budget. Otherwise you're not picking up but a couple car lengths in roll races or your going on juice.

[Rayce185]

So how much does a 100-150 kit run for approximately?

[jtrejo]

i get nos for $3.50 a lb.

[BimmerDude18]

So how much does a 100-150 kit run for approximately?You mean price?

I'd look at either a Zex kit (not sure what they would offer for the M3) or a Nitrous Express kit.

You'll need the bottle, lines, window switch, jets, BOTTLE WARMER (essential) etc. But the size of the jets doesn't increase the cost.

[Deah7]

A little off topic but the answer to my question will be beneficial to the OP. If you have something like a 10lb bottle of nos(i dont care about terminology as long as you know what I am talking about) how long could you go WOT before the bottle was used up. Could it be like 3 quarter mile runs or something. I have no idea and that is why I am asking. Oooo and lets say you are using a 75 shot.

[Matt Q]

About this thread. SPUD - I just find it a bit strange that you're

A - Driving the less performance oriented yet MORE expensive vert, and
B - Despite obviously having cash to spend, still so tight fisted as to try and get performance gains out of Five 's ?!?!?

If you're driving the pinnacle E46 don't skimp on the mods

Listen to Ray, don't go after power till your sort your road holding and anchors. And CERTAINLY don't expect any quality power mods for $5k.. you will probably just end up damaging your baby...

Just a thought... with $5 as a starting point you could build a lovely r i c e r - ha ha

[tankm3]

Having had the best quality and N/A performance mods done on my car before the HPF Turbo Stg 2 I now currently have, I too would suggest saving longer until you can afford what you're really looking for.
If you are truly looking for "performance", you wont be happy with anything less than F.I.
You just cant seem to squeeze enough out of the S54 staying N/A. Its pretty much at its limit as everyone knows.
If I were to do it all over again, I would have saved time and money by skipping all the N/A mods and going right into a F.I. set-up.

Your car is brand new and has low mileage...enjoy it as it is for a while and save for something that will ALWAYS put a smile on your face when you mash the accelerator.

[david05111]

For 5 k you might be able to pick up a used kit, as long as you didn't care it was used...

[Asbjorn@ESS]

ESS VT440, 440chp for USD 5900.

It is also fully upgradeable to more power in the future.

http://www.esstuning.com/default.asp?c=shop&cat=93&subcat=101&subcat2=143&id=

[MachRc]

there you go a m3 kit for 6 gangstaz!

[ObsessedM3]

You gave me an opinion i didnt ask for. A teenage response would be to add NOS. I am looking for serious folks who know what they are talking about to answer my question. If you dont know the answer then please move on.

I am not selling my car, it is a pretty straight forward question..

All right you stepped on the land mind with that comment mister:censor:. Why wouldn't you put nitrous on an E46 M3....perception? What is so teenage about it?

[BartenderPlease]

Spud, you can do a full exhaust system which not only will give you more HP, it will also save you a lot of weight especially when going Titanium. Your factory exhaust weighs probably around 80lbs (educated guess). Throw on a new exhaust and you could probably get it down to 20lbs. Then do a tune and get an intake. If none of this suits you and you are not going to be able to go FI, then re-gear to 4.10 and enjoy!! You won't be let down by the gears.


Pardon me for you taking offese. I am sure you are aware of the plethora of teenagers making the phrase "NOS man!" Between my sportbike and the M3, i was expecting Turbo KITS, SC, exhaust answers.. Not NOS DUDE..

You were rude from the start... time to move on..kthanksbai

He was not rude in any way. You asked a question and got an answer you didn't want to hear and got pissy. Get over it, grow some thick skin and ignore posts that are not helpful. :thumbsup:

[Rayce185]

You mean price?

I'd look at either a Zex kit (not sure what they would offer for the M3) or a Nitrous Express kit.

You'll need the bottle, lines, window switch, jets, BOTTLE WARMER (essential) etc. But the size of the jets doesn't increase the cost.So you still didn't say how much they cost :rofl:

[azjimi]

Having had the best quality and N/A performance mods done on my car before the HPF Turbo Stg 2 I now currently have, I too would suggest saving longer until you can afford what you're really looking for.
If you are truly looking for "performance", you wont be happy with anything less than F.I.
You just cant seem to squeeze enough out of the S54 staying N/A. Its pretty much at its limit as everyone knows.
If I were to do it all over again, I would have saved time and money by skipping all the N/A mods and going right into a F.I. set-up.

Your car is brand new and has low mileage...enjoy it as it is for a while and save for something that will ALWAYS put a smile on your face when you mash the accelerator.

There you have it...Tank has been there & done that and his findings agree w/what most people have already said: save your money for the real deal.

[ObsessedM3]

So you still didn't say how much they cost :rofl:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=170880

[nv_khris]

Just save some more money for FI! Just my two cents

[BimmerDude18]

So you still didn't say how much they cost :rofl:

Because there are different prices and options. You can get a setup working for well under $1500, or you can go balls to the wall and have every bell and whistle and burn more than $5000. It really depends on what you want.

I say $1500 as a starting point because you will likely want to buy some things not included with the kits that sell for <1k.

Again - its like trying to price body work, sooo many options and everyones prices are different.

Look on a few websites, Jegs will give you good ballparks for example.

[illfx]

hey Spud.

If you want more performance I think you need to state what driving style you have/ want. You'd be surprised with what a clutch/ flywheel upgrade, brake upgrade, coil overs can do. I'm a firm believer in building a strong foundation before upping the hp.

What I'm saying is that if you want only straight line performance. Nitrous kit with an upgraded clutch is the way to go.

If you like to take corners. I'd suggest suspension, brakes, and chassis stiffening, lighter body/ seats.

remember, you maybe able to get to the corner faster, but a proper setup will hold a higher, consistent speed around it. And with all that speed you need to stop just as quickly.

anyways its all about building your car to what your needs are...

think about it.

take your time.

and spend wisely.

If you can't make more power, then use the power you have wisely, and efficiently.

I'd suggest some Skip Barber lessons to really appreciate what an M3 can really do. Even if its just a refresher course after you upgraded your brakes/ suspension. you'll be surprised how much harder you can push with just a little work....

[illfx]

hey Spud.

If you want more performance I think you need to state what driving style you have/ want. You'd be surprised with what a clutch/ flywheel upgrade, brake upgrade, coil overs can do. I'm a firm believer in building a strong foundation before upping the hp.

What I'm saying is that if you want only straight line performance. Nitrous kit with an upgraded clutch is the way to go.

If you like to take corners. I'd suggest suspension, brakes, and chassis stiffening, lighter body/ seats.

remember, you maybe able to get to the corner faster, but a proper setup will hold a higher, consistent speed around it. And with all that speed you need to stop just as quickly.

anyways its all about building your car to what your needs are...

think about it.

take your time.

and spend wisely.

If you can't make more power, then use the power you have wisely, and efficiently.

if you're serious about performance, I'd suggest some Skip Barber lessons to really appreciate what an M3 can really do. Even if its just a refresher course after you upgraded your brakes/ suspension. you'll be surprised how much harder you can push with just a little work....

good luck!!!!!

[zeshon]

excellent the exact kind of response id expect from a teenager.

I know 5K is pretty low, just want to know what my options were... if any..

Don't be rude dude, he's right. Do some research.

[MrBlonde]

A titanium exhaust may very well be more than $5K. If you must stick to the $5K budget then I'd recommend 410 gears and call it a day. The bolt on mods for an E46 M3 are very poor value for money in my opinion.

Again, save for a supercharger or turbo kit if you want performance beyond diff gears.

[Matt Q]

I'd like to add that I did a carbon fiber induction kit and a software upgrade and in retrospect this was a TOTAL waste of money.

All the chassis and brake mods I have done have had a FAR larger effect on my car's handling and therefore it's entry / exit cornering speed and therefore overall speed.

If I had to do it over I would take the R 11,000 which the software and induction cost me (about $ 1,550) and use about R 10,000 of it on rear adjustable control arms and front camber plates. Then I would use the R 500 change and buy a bag of VERY strong weed. Although this doesn't help with performance that much, the control arms, camber plates and weed will give an incredible sense of speed even in the garage!!!

[azjimi]

Then I would use the R 500 change and buy a bag of VERY strong weed. Although this doesn't help with performance that much, the control arms, camber plates and weed will give an incredible sense of speed even in the garage!!!

lol....a "smokin' M3" redefined!

[Matt Q]

hee hee...

Now that's what I call a rolling start

[BartenderPlease]

Then I would use the R 500 change and buy a bag of VERY strong weed. Although this doesn't help with performance that much, the control arms, camber plates and weed will give an incredible sense of speed even in the garage!!!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[bimmerboi19]

For 5k this is how i would spend it.
250 ebay headers
2k 4:10 diff
900 full magnaflow exhaust includes every section
810 D/A software
220 K&N intake
150 ECIS heatshield for the intake
250 springs performance and looks.

[spud]

sorry, was busy all weekend and this morn to reply till now.

First, I will say again with more explanation. Most of my experience with folks using nitros has been a couple runs with great results, then long term affects of a busted motor. Albiet could have been improper/poor installs, but this was for a ZX-14, 1989 mustang, and i think it was a nissan, cant remember for sure. I quickly read bagher's response and quickly wrote that reply thinking it was some kid going "NOS DUDE!".

I appreciate the replies. The one post about picking a vert over a coup.. Well, i can only laugh at that response. That argument has been made over and over on this board..so i will just smirk on that..

The rest of you, much much appreciated on your opinions. So much so that you have made me rethink what I am going to do.

Thanks a lot.

[asianjedi]

I say get neon lights, lots of vinyl graphics, and a huge wing...but what do I know - I am a teenage r!cer!

Ha Ha just kidding. :rofl:

Advantages of N20:
Best bang for buck to achieve crank HP in the mid 400s

The ability to shut off the extra HP and TQ when not needed such as inclement weather.

Meeting lots of cool performance minded people outside of the BMW world (We really are a bunch of snobs guys...ROFL).

Downsides:

Bottle refill costs. Very minor unless you squeeze every time you drive.

Trunk space loss due to bottle in the trunk.

It is addicting.

And yes my sig says I am looking for a S/C. I plan to run both.

Note:FI legend Taza was running a 50 shot of N20 with his AA setup before his current turbo setup. AA has software for all types of setups using N20.

[MSpired]

Nitrous or a used AA kit or save up for a new AA kit.

[smokedOUTbimmer]

2006 M3 vert. 7K miles bone stock.

I am very aware of the search button, so I will preface by that.

I have around 5k to spend to get some more HP. I see all the SC or Turbo kits out there, and the exhaust systems. It seems most of the Kits are hovering around 10 - 15K which i dont have to spend.

So if you Tune heads would be so kind to enlighten me on options for spending "around" 5K to get some more out of the car.

If you could provide links to parts, kits, exhausts for places that you recommend, I would be much appreciated as well.

Again, i clicked search, but with my budget, it seemed most of the results were for folks who had unlimited spending power.

Thanks

Alex

Get a clutch/lightweight flywheel and rear-end gears. Intake/exhaust will add a couple ponies but more importantly make your car sound wicked nice. After that stuff, save your cash for somethin else.

[Veor]

where could one find a used AA kit

[asianjedi]

where could one find a used AA kit

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=36) :)

[DavidU86]

It's nitrous oxide, or even more precise, Bi-nitrogen oxide. But it is true that NOS is just a brand name, like Nitrous Express is.

Dinitrogen oxide.

Sorry, just picky. Otherwise, entirely correct.