I've been reading posts here for some time and noticed that there is not really much that can be done to increase the performance of the 3.8, which I suppose indicates how well the engine is tuned already.
I do know however that there are a few performance chips available for these cars and I'm wondering why not more have one installed.
My local tuner/engine builder type guy says that he done one for a guy last year and saw a difference of around 16bhp at the wheels, he also advised that it picked up quicker below 4k which sounds interesting and tempting.
I'd like to hear points of view on this subject, and especially if you have one installed, performance gains, down side etc...
Basically is it a worth-while excercise?
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95 E34 3.8 M5 6spd
87 Capri280 Turbo Technics, +290bhp@17psi [Not Currently For Sale]
As far as chips go, the biggest increase I have seen on an M5 is approximately 9-10hp at the wheels. Anything beyond that I guess is pretty difficult. And yes, the surge seems to occur before the 4k mark once you have a chip installed. Search for my posts and you´ll see one where I compare a stock M5 to a chipped M5 on the dyno.
Another upgrade is installing Dr. Schrick camshafts (about US$900 each) to replace the induction and exhaust cams. This will give the motor another 20hp, and manages to still keep the idle pretty **** close to the original lumpy idle of the M5. Nothing annoying really. These are pretty much the best camshaft manufacturers in the world.
And, as Rob Levinson from UUC suggests, you can change the flywheel on the 3.8 for the flywheel on the 3.6 which is less than half the weight of the other one. This will give better acceleration.
You can also, install his short shifter, which is the best one available imho.
Turbos, superchargers and the like are also possible but extremely expensive. But, if you like turbos or superchargers, you might try an Audi RS or a Mercedes AMG...
Hope this helps.
Cheers
__________________
1995 BMW M5 Schwarz II Shadowline
Dr. Schrick camshafts
UUC Short-shifter
Last edited by Pepsmeister; 15th July 2004 at 15:30.
As far as chips go, the biggest increase I have seen on an M5 is approximately 9-10hp at the wheels. Anything beyond that I guess is pretty difficult. And yes, the surge seems to occur before the 4k mark once you have a chip installed. Search for my posts and you´ll see one where I compare a stock M5 to a chipped M5 on the dyno.
Another upgrade is installing Dr. Schrick camshafts (about US$900 each) to replace the induction and exhaust cams. This will give the motor another 20hp, and manages to still keep the idle pretty **** close to the original lumpy idle of the M5. Nothing annoying really. These are pretty much the best camshaft manufacturers in the world.
And, as Rob Levinson from UUC suggests, you can change the flywheel on the 3.8 for the flywheel on the 3.6 which is less than half the weight of the other one. This will give better acceleration.
You can also, install his short shifter, which is the best one available imho.
Turbos, superchargers and the like are also possible but extremely expensive. But, if you like turbos or superchargers, you might try an Audi RS or a Mercedes AMG...
Hope this helps.
Cheers
I've only ever seem Schrick cams for the 3.6, which surprised me...
Where are ones of the 3.8 available?
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95 E34 3.8 M5 6spd
87 Capri280 Turbo Technics, +290bhp@17psi [Not Currently For Sale]
The Schrick camshaft duration for the 3.6L get increased to 270 degrees. For the 3.8L it gets increased to 284 degrees.
There used to be an Adobe pdf document which you could download. This document is an application guide to all of their products. They make more aggressive camshafts for virtually all automobiles. Very impressive. Best of all, for the M5, you don´t have to buy new valve springs or stronger valves, since the stock ones are good enough already.
The problem is that their sales department is at best very bad at returning e-mails. I´ve tried calling them in Germany, but I get routed to an electronic switchboard and nobody ever picks up. Quite frustrating.
There´s a website which resells their camshafts, the address is www.kormanfastbmw.com in the US. The 3.8L camshafts are quoted at US$900 each (induction/exhaust).
Given that you´re a lot closer to Europe than I am, if you get the chance to contact them, it would be great if you could tell me what their most recent price is for the 3.8L camshafts. I want to buy those soon.
Rgds,
Pepsmeister
__________________
1995 BMW M5 Schwarz II Shadowline
Dr. Schrick camshafts
UUC Short-shifter
I've been reading posts here for some time and noticed that there is not really much that can be done to increase the performance of the 3.8, which I suppose indicates how well the engine is tuned already.
I almost blew my drink out of my nose when I read that!
Bonneville Motorworks software, a/k/a the JimC chip, is documented by me to show a consistent 15hp (or more) at the wheels.
We also compared results to another 3.8l with identical results.
Schrick cams are available for the 3.8l Gain is a legitimate 15hp (or more) at the wheels.
This is one of the few cases where the gains are directly additive. Cams + software = 30hp - 40hp at the wheels:
UUC does offer the Bonneville/JimC software, chip price is currently $348.50. 1995 models with EWS must send in their DME to have the new chip coded to the original EWS system. All M5s must derterimine if they have a 24 oe 32 pin chip before ordering.
My own full performance exhaust and performance catalytic converter section (all bolt-on, all emissions legal) is completed. The car is definitely "perked up".
So who do I go to with my £2000 (2 x £600 for cams, plus fitting, plus re-chip) to get a guaranteed 370bhp beast?
Yes I think I will be up for that too.
Best
M5 Powered
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1995 M5 Limited Edition (02/50)Rosso Red
Pilot Sport 2 Rubber
Valentine One With Conceal
Twin Head LRC100 IR Jammer System
Origin Blue B2 GPS
Linear Mode
