VF Engineering Supercharged E36 M3!

Anyone here have a VF supercharged E36 M3?

If so, what do you think of it?

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

If so, what do you think of it?

Just finishing up installing one of these...waiting for return of DME. There's a 300 mile break in period of keeping it below 4,500 rpm...can give you my impressions afterwards.

Originally Posted by shamulater

Just finishing up installing one of these...waiting for return of DME. There's a 300 mile break in period of keeping it below 4,500 rpm...can give you my impressions afterwards.

Thanks! Looking forward to it...

Still no DME but here's a peek at the new black look....looks almost factory.

Still have to keep rpm's low but very impressive from 3,000 to 4,500.

Originally Posted by shamulater

Still have to keep rpm's low but very impressive from 3,000 to 4,500.

Sweet! I'm getting mine next Thursday....

Have you noticed any decrease in fuel economy (at the lower PRMs)?

How noticeable is the extra torque down low..

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

Sweet! I'm getting mine next Thursday....

Have you noticed any decrease in fuel economy (at the lower PRMs)?

How noticeable is the extra torque down low..

I've got about 100 miles on the system at this time and though I don't know for sure the MPG figures, it does appear that I'm going thru a tank faster than before. Interestingly the factory MPG vacuum gauge on the car maintains a higher reading than it ever did...according to that, I'm getting 40 mpg on the highway. Anyway less MPG was expected and no real surprise.
Everything below 3,000 rpm feels stock...can't feel any real difference. From 3,000 rpm up, you really start feeling a most definite kick in the rear. Break in cut off is 4,500 rpm and really have to be careful not to exceed that as the RPM's run up a lot quicker than before...real quick! Can't wait till I can really open it up.
As for a word to the wise...installation is a solid 10 hours with a bit more for head scratching if S/C is going on an OBD2 (instructions were geared toward OBD1 though they have since fix some of those things). There's still some questionable area's in the instructions but all were easily sorted with a little research. Originally had a few fault codes after first start up but they all disappeared after about 30 miles worth of driving. A low idle issue corrected itself. Car now runs perfect.

Originally Posted by shamulater

I've got about 100 miles on the system at this time and though I don't know for sure the MPG figures, it does appear that I'm going thru a tank faster than before. Interestingly the factory MPG vacuum gauge on the car maintains a higher reading than it ever did...according to that, I'm getting 40 mpg on the highway. Anyway less MPG was expected and no real surprise.
Everything below 3,000 rpm feels stock...can't feel any real difference. From 3,000 rpm up, you really start feeling a most definite kick in the rear. Break in cut off is 4,500 rpm and really have to be careful not to exceed that as the RPM's run up a lot quicker than before...real quick! Can't wait till I can really open it up.
As for a word to the wise...installation is a solid 10 hours with a bit more for head scratching if S/C is going on an OBD2 (instructions were geared toward OBD1 though they have since fix some of those things). There's still some questionable area's in the instructions but all were easily sorted with a little research. Originally had a few fault codes after first start up but they all disappeared after about 30 miles worth of driving. A low idle issue corrected itself. Car now runs perfect.

Thanks!

Is the engine a lot louder under load? Does it sound a lot meaner??

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

Is the engine a lot louder under load? Does it sound a lot meaner??

I've got a Rogue Engineering cat back so it was already pretty aggressive sounding and I can detect no difference...maybe when I can finally exceed 4,500 I'll be able to notice a change. Not expecting any. At idle, there's a very slight S/C rattle which is apparently normal. Blip the throttle and there's a bit of S/C whistle which sounds really cool. Both are nearly un-noticeable with hood closed and can't be heard from drivers seat. For all practical purposes, car is a sleeper.

Originally Posted by shamulater

I've got a Rogue Engineering cat back so it was already pretty aggressive sounding and I can detect no difference...maybe when I can finally exceed 4,500 I'll be able to notice a change. Not expecting any. At idle, there's a very slight S/C rattle which is apparently normal. Blip the throttle and there's a bit of S/C whistle which sounds really cool. Both are nearly un-noticeable with hood closed and can't be heard from drivers seat. For all practical purposes, car is a sleeper.

Sounds killa. I've got the UUC RSC36 exhaust system. Currently, I have no cold air intake. I bet there will be an auditory difference once you begin to accelerate under a load (pedal to the metal at 5,000 RPM). Most of the blown E46 M3s that I've ever listened to at Bimmerfest are way more aggressive-sounding than stock...


This is what mine looks like. I have been a BMW fanatic since 1977 (mom& dad's first E21 318is they bought as a pair):





I have been with BMW as a retailer on and off since 1987. The E36 M3 is my all-time favorite Bimmer....

Looks really, really good...been hoping to stumble on a set of those wheels. I'm fairly late to the game. Spent most of my life in trucks...use to do engine transplants, make adapters, all that sort of stuff. Bought wife an Audi several years ago and came to the conclusion that German cars are pretty cool (this was before I had to work on the damn thing). She got sick of me constantly stealing the car so was forced to find something of my own. Test drove the M3 after trying dozens of other 'sportive' makes and was sold. For an old guy, it's a pretty fun new adventure. 160 more break in miles to go....

I am so excited... EAS is installing my SC as I type... Just a few more hours to go....

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

I am so excited... EAS is installing my SC as I type... Just a few more hours to go....

Good luck Jon. You are supercharging a classic. The results will be great. Keep us posted.
I'm gonna wrestle with this decision when my warranty is done. I probably won't do it though just to keep the car original and unmolested. I think 414hp will always be enough.

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

I am so excited... EAS is installing my SC as I type... Just a few more hours to go....

Got about 60 miles left to go with my break in.

Originally Posted by shamulater

Got about 60 miles left to go with my break in.

Break-in? I ain't doing not stinkin' break-in.....

Check this out!!!

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

Break-in? I ain't doing not stinkin' break-in.....

Check this out!!!

Ha...I love it!! Hopefully this weekend I'll have a chance to really test my car (building some half pipe skateboard ramps for my youngest...I may be garage bound all weekend).

Originally Posted by shamulater

Ha...I love it!! Hopefully this weekend I'll have a chance to really test my car (building some half pipe skateboard ramps for my youngest...I may be garage bound all weekend).

Good luck! You are going to love it WIDE OPEN!!!

You forced me to give in to the dark side.

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

Good luck Jon. You are supercharging a classic. The results will be great. Keep us posted.
I'm gonna wrestle with this decision when my warranty is done. I probably won't do it though just to keep the car original and unmolested. I think 414hp will always be enough.

I am so happy I did this. Most of you here in this forum probably don't know this, but I am back in the BMW business after a 8 year sabbatical. Having been driving and exposed to all of the new cars again, I was starting to catch myself flirting with the idea of replacing the E36...

When I first became GSM of Cutter BMW in the late 90's the E36 reigned King. At the very first Bimmerfest event in 2000, the most exotic Bimmer present was a supercharged E36 M3 (Techno Violet Metallic), that I fell in love with. Fast-forward to 2012, and it is so plainly obvious that the E36 is proving to be maybe the most long-lasting 3 series ever. I'm not so sure about other parts of the country, but here in CA you still see so many nice cars on the road. Honestly, I know it's a worldwide phenomenon.. Just look at all of the forum members from all over the world who are driving really nice E36's... I'm not saying that an E36 is better than an E30, or an E46 -- nothing like that. Just acknowledging that the E36 is a landmark vehicle in the storied 3 Series lineage...

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

I am so happy I did this. Most of you here in this forum probably don't know this, but I am back in the BMW business after a 8 year sabbatical. Having been driving and exposed to all of the new cars again, I was starting to catch myself flirting with the idea of replacing the E36...

When I first became GSM of Cutter BMW in the late 90's the E36 reigned King. At the very first Bimmerfest event in 2000, the most exotic Bimmer present was a supercharged E36 M3 (Techno Violet Metallic), that I fell in love with. Fast-forward to 2012, and it is so plainly obvious that the E36 is proving to be maybe the most long-lasting 3 series ever. I'm not so sure about other parts of the country, but here in CA you still see so many nice cars on the road. Honestly, I know it's a worldwide phenomenon.. Just look at all of the forum members from all over the world who are driving really nice E36's... I'm not saying that an E36 is better than an E30, or an E46 -- nothing like that. Just acknowledging that the E36 is a landmark vehicle in the storied 3 Series lineage...

Agreed. Congrats. Your really laying down some power there. You knocked over a jackstand for gods sake.

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

Agreed. Congrats. Your really laying down some power there. You knocked over a jackstand for gods sake.

Wasn't that cool? :-)


Here are the official results:



And a coupla more photos for you...

Interestingly enough....my gas mileage has increased by 2 mpg (normal street driving with no hot footing). Must be something wrong...that wasn't suppose to happen.

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

Wasn't that cool? :-)


Here are the official results:

Looks amazing man! that's a phenomenal power increase. I'm sure it feels like a monster now.

I think my 7 is quick and even though you're running a little less power, your M3 weighs MUCH less

Good catching up with you Jon, it's been a while.

dynorun004 was the best for that day, here's a quick video:



Dyno


Installation












Thanks for making us a part of bringing newfound life to your uber-clean E36M3!