BMW M3 E30 Improvements
Let’s face it. M3 is an old car and is quite easy to improve. Below are some details how M3 can be improved
Engine
S14 engine is a derivative from famous M10 engine which even won a F1 World Championship in 1983. Story tells that the engine was designed and running in 14 days. But it can be improved, see more details here: Complete M3Ex Engine Project
Engine Management
Stock AFM (Air Flow Meter) is very restrictive. Two most common ways to improve the breathing are:
- MAF conversion by using Split Second conversion
- Alpha N
- See my experiences here: Hestec ECU
- Current ECU is Autronic SM4, more details here: Autronic SM4 Install
50mm Intake
Since my new engine will be high reving engine, I decided to change my intake from stock 46mm to 50mm. Read the details from here: 50mm Intake project
Driver Comfort
Home made Dead pedal, home made copy of famous Evo3 pedal, which you can buy from Ebay with $400 if you can find one.
I made one in 1 hour from steel plate with hammer..
ShiftLight - Not in use anymore
M3 S14 is a high “revvving” engine. I’m protecting mine with home made shift light and to make sure shifting is made at the right time. Bang from engine compartment is expensive noise...
Cooling system
Stock manual cooling fan was removed and replaced with stock electric cooling fan like european cars had.
Update 07/29/2007: Aux fan replaced with SPAL fan. See procedure here: SPAL Cooling fan installation
Steering Wheel
Smaller than OEM "Bus" wheel, has better grip and gives better feel