Experience of a lifetime

[JRowe]

I had a similar experiene a few weeks ago. I got to drive a Mercedes Benz C32 AMG. 350 supercharged hp. Absolutely increbible. The only other car I've driven that has given me a similar experience is a Lamborghini Diablo. I hit almost 90 mph in second gear in that car. There's no way to describe the rush.

[Stu]

Thanks for all the replies guys, it means a lot.

I still can't get this out of my head, it was the best 5 minutes of my life. Seriously.

dads car:
'88 M3, cinnibar on natural (mint!) Just got the wing repainted. 120K miles.
Stock springs, Bilstein HD's, RD front swaybar, fresh aluminum arms and bushings.
My brothers and I offered to buy him some springs (HR Sport) but he says he likes stock suspension, so whatever.

MOTOR!
2.9L aluminum block, with stock 84mm bore graphite coated pistons.
'95 M3 crankshaft. This equates about a 2850cc motor, fully balanced and blueprinted, with loose tolerances.
M3 conical valvetrain and '98 M3 camshafts.
Extensive head work; 5-angle race valve job, valve pocket work, relief porting and grinding.
OBD-1 intake mani, knife-edged throttle body, Euro HFM and Euro airbox.
17# injectors with rising-rate FPR.
OBD-2 stainless exhaust manifolds
Mcoupe lightweight A/C compressor
Custom downpipes with stock E30 M3 exhaust all the way back.
Blanton built Getrag 250 gearbox, 8 pound fly, Motorsport 228mm clutch/pressure plate.
3.46LS rear end.
Custom chip---7500 rev limit.

I'd say the car makes about 280-290 horsepower.

Side note: We had a talk about the M50's/S50's we build. He described them like this: "We build our motors to be 'explosive,' that is, we want power anywhere in the powerband. These motors pull from 2500rpm until 7000 with no sweat. This is the way to build a motor. A motor with a short powerband is no good, or waiting for boost to come on. We want power at any RPM."

Earlier I had asked him about my motor, and when it would really start to pull (rpm wise). His response was, "right now." He was not kidding. His car pulls....right now. :)

[PrinceE30]

Is your dad still contemplating selling the motor? I know a while ago on old e3s you mentioned that he was contemplating that Hemi project.

Few other small questions:

1. Graphite coated pistons - this better than ceramic?
2. Knife edged throttle body?
3. Was the 3.0 crank chosen for less stroke or was it an oppertinity buy (cheap)?

Thanks Stu.

-Prince

[Stu]

Is your dad still contemplating selling the motor? I know a while ago on old e3s you mentioned that he was contemplating that Hemi project.

Few other small questions:

1. Graphite coated pistons - this better than ceramic?
2. Knife edged throttle body?
3. Was the 3.0 crank chosen for less stroke or was it an oppertinity buy (cheap)?

Thanks Stu.

-Prince

Hey Prince-

He is selling the whole car in the near future. I'll keep you guys posted.

1. OBD-2 cars have a coating on the pistons, it is either graphite or ceramic, I'm not sure.
2. Knife edge the part coming into the manifold, it's a better way to do things.
3. He wanted to keep the bore/stroke similar, so he chose the 86.6mm crank over the 89.6mm.

[SlammedE30]

Square motors are sweet :D Your dad's car sounds absolutely wicked, if i had the money I'd be all over it!
-Ted