The guys from European Auto Source are really lucky. They get to test and work with some of the best modified BMWs available on the US Continent. This time they put an E36 M3 to the test on their dyno stand.
This 14-year old M3 might look ordinary on the outside but things are rather different once you watch it race down the street. If the original 1999 version of the E36 M3 had a 3.2-liter engine with 320 HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, this one is a little different.
Different as in turbocharged that is. The turbo unit hooked up to the engine was built by Garrett and custom fitted by the owner himself, in order to fit perfectly on his M3.
Now, we all know that the power ratings are different regarding where the power is read. Usually, due to transmission friction and other factors, the wheels receive less power than the total amount the engine can produce. That's why the WHP is usually a lower number than the HP counter.
In case of this E36 Bimmer, the readings showed it's still putting 350 HP and 350 lb-ft (474 Nm) of torque on the ground. That's impressive and the guys from European Auto Source reckon this 'old-timer' could give even a current day E92 M3 a run for its money.
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