Last entry, I talked about the M3 feeling a bit lacking in the power department. The S50B30US was never a monster, with a rated output of 240 hp and 225 lb-ft. It’s not bad, but not great, especially by modern standards. This build wasn’t meant to create huge amounts of power, but instead to create […]
Project: E36 M3 – First Upgrades: Under The Hood
It has been a while since we last saw my E36 M3 project car. With every project, there are surprises that come along. It’s inevitable. But sometimes these issues can be a lot more serious than originally expected. But after the basic maintenance items, we turned our attention to getting the car fit for use […]
Life As A Car Guy, Episode 7: Lighting the Way
It’s rainy season, and wet-weather safety is a huge concern for all cars. Our M3 is no exception. Manila has been battered by heavy downpours a lot lately, so you can be sure that’s something that we’re going to address! To start with, here are some wet weather driving tips from AutoIndustriya: http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-tech-road-safety/driving-in-a-downpour.html If you’ll […]
Life As A Car Guy, Episode 6: Steering In The Right Direction
One of the biggest weaknesses of the E30 3-series is its steering. Needing 4 full turns lock-to-lock, and a far too leisurely 36.5mm per turn (the amount of wheel movement per 360 degrees of steering input), the car can be incredibly cumbersome on a track. I’ve taken the car to the sadly-departed Subic International Raceway, […]
Life As A Car Guy, Episode 5: The M3 Needs Some TLC, Starting With the Engine
When someone says the words “tuning,” what’s the first thing that pops into your head? High flow intakes? Free flow exhausts? Fat wheels and tires? Forced induction? Once thing that tends to be forgotten is basic maintenance. The importance of proper maintenance CANNOT be overstated. So before we even toy around with the M3, the […]
Life As A Car Guy, Episode 3: The Unloved M3
The US-spec E36 M3 is probably the least admired of the M cars. Some say that it’s not a real M car, primarily due to its engine. The S50B30US is basically a mildly tuned M50 motor out of a 325i. M purists also point out that this engine did not rev very high, or have […]