Article: Horsepower Freaks Right Hand Drive (RHD) E46 M3 (S54) Stage I twin turbo kit officially released - $18,500

[PEI330Ci]

Who and with what motor/turbo?

This person is a really valuable source of information for a lot of people including myself, so I'd rather not say exactly what I found. I still respect what his builds do, and they have some great "firsts" coming out of this shop, but the power numbers confuse me. If people compared dyno numbers to compressor maps, they'd see what I mean. That's all I want to say.

I think he has gotten it quite a bit "off" without realizing. The LHD cars have been doing the marketing for all potential RHD owners. They have built in their mind that type of power level and the various staging going up to pretty high powers. They then release a 500whp kit that is at its limit and undersized for the S54 and start marketing it as a excellent package for track use etc. A lot of potential buyers are disappointed with the outcome, I personally know of three that where cash in hand. The error was that the mid frame turbos should have been used as a start point even if it meant many more months development. Sooner or later the customer with the RHD car at HPF is going to want it back and that will be the end of the development for the RHD cars.

You certainly cut to the point, and I respect that.

I think the existing RHD power band is suited to street driving where you want a quick kick in the pants, then shut it down before the next stoplight. Track guys want a wide and flat torque curve that's linear; this torque cliff is kind of hard to drive on a road course....although the Rally guys love that type of power.

[Sticky]

I think he has gotten it quite a bit "off" without realizing. The LHD cars have been doing the marketing for all potential RHD owners. They have built in their mind that type of power level and the various staging going up to pretty high powers. They then release a 500whp kit that is at its limit and undersized for the S54 and start marketing it as a excellent package for track use etc. A lot of potential buyers are disappointed with the outcome, I personally know of three that where cash in hand. The error was that the mid frame turbos should have been used as a start point even if it meant many more months development. Sooner or later the customer with the RHD car at HPF is going to want it back and that will be the end of the development for the RHD cars.

People can't hold the LHD and RHD cars to the same standards.

[Sticky]

This person is a really valuable source of information for a lot of people including myself, so I'd rather not say exactly what I found. I still respect what his builds do, and they have some great "firsts" coming out of this shop, but the power numbers confuse me. If people compared dyno numbers to compressor maps, they'd see what I mean. That's all I want to say.

I understand and respect this. It is still going to bug the hell out of me.

[George@BMS]

People can't hold the LHD and RHD cars to the same standards.

Sure they cannot once they are released. But up to that point the RHD guys have been using the LHD as a reference in their mind when considering a turbo option or moving onto another platform. Similar affect to when the US guys discovered they where getting a watered down E36 M3.

[Sticky]

Sure they cannot once they are released. But up to that point the RHD guys have been using the LHD as a reference in their mind when considering a turbo option or moving onto another platform. Similar affect to when the US guys discovered they where getting a watered down E36 M3.

In a sense, true, but RHD people needs to understand the design differences and can't expect the same things.

[George@BMS]

In a sense, true, but RHD people needs to understand the design differences and can't expect the same things.

Sure, there was also a chance they said they can't or won't do it. I am just expressing the sentiment of a few potential clients I know.