HPF Drag M3 Creation - First Released Photos of the Build

[HPF Chris]

Our service team had just a couple short weeks to produce the HPF Drag M3. There was a tremendous amount of customization, new product development and engineering that went into this build in a very short period of time. They started with a completely base shell of an E46 M3 to make sure that there would be nothing added back to the car that wasn't needed. As a result the final weight of the car complete is only 2640 lbs!

None of the factory wiring is in this car. They ditched the drive by wire and installed new pedals and the drive by wire eliminator kit. If you watch the video at the end you'll see how fast this car free-revs. This is the engine that was run in the HPF track M3 for the past two years and it free revs like a motorcycle. They designed and implemented all the wiring to run the car and engine from scratch and utilized the HPF/AEM EMS to control it. They completely removed the front of the car after the strut tower and built a custom front end to hold everything in place. They also developed a cooling system with a horizontally mounted radiator for both the transmission and oil neither of which we can seem to get hot. You can literally touch nearly all of the motor as it never gets above 120 degrees.

They designed the front end so that it can come off in a few seconds for servicing. Doc Race came in at the last minute and cranked out the turbo manifold for us. They did a great job. This manifold was built with massive 1 7/8" runners and was designed for nearly zero back pressure. We're running twin Tial 44mm wastegates for precise boost control. We built a massive 4" exhaust pipe that goes literally 2 feet and out the hood and twin wastegate pipes that exit in the same location. John and his crew built a completely new rear brake assembly so the 15" wheels could fit underneath with the super sticky 15" MT slicks. They then altered the car so we could get the Weld wheels to fit as they only come in standard bolt patterns.

They developed a full Th400 implementation into the E46 M3 Chassis and S54 engine. The TH400 required the first ever TH400 to S54 adapter plate that they built out of a single super heavy super thick solid piece of aluminum. Our guys engineered this to locate the Th400 transmission so we could run a standard GM torque converter. They also designed a flywheel that could centrally locate the torque converter and connect it to the flywheel. They then widened the chassis in the middle and built a stout transmission mount. They then had the driveshaft built with a full custom rear flange that connects to the differential. They installed DSS drive axles, a complete new "Drag" M3 coil over setup from KSport. They also engineered it so we could continue to use the factory starter in the factory location. They relocated the steering to mount to the roll cage and made it a more optimal steering location. They added new pedals, a new TH400 shifter, new switch panel. They removed the firewall behind the back seats and built a completely custom 2 gallon fuel tank setup in the rear of the car with a massive Weldon pump. All of the fuel lines were also custom made.

John built a new tune for the TH400 and dialed the car in on the dyno. Surprisingly the car is relatively quiet when not in boost.
What's also so impressive is that during these two weeks, they also built a completely new high compression sleeved engine for the orange track M3 from scratch and installed it in the car. They also completed the full 15 gallon fuel cell implementation and wired in a Walbro pump with all the lines, fuel pressure regulator, etc. They removed the entire engine harness from that car and built a full new harness from scratch and installed it. When they were done building both cars they dynod tuned both cars and had them ready to race.



Here are some pics.






[IMG]http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/miscellaneous/m3turbokit/hpfdragm3/HPFDragM341.jpg[/IMG

[HPF Chris]

[Payam@BMS]

Holy crap, that is insane. PS that External wastegate and downpipe exit is badass but dangerous. My friend did this with his GTI with a 3076. On a cold night that external wastegate when it opened up, spit flames that hit the windsheild and cracked it. I know this is not a DD or anything but I'm just saying.

[Sticky]

Promoted to front page, simply awesome.

[inlineS54B32]

I don't have many words for this - so I will default to "this is insane". I have high hopes for this engine.

[Sticky]

What is this thing putting out?

[dreikraft]

What is this thing putting out?

yes, we need whp on this 2600lb ungeheuer!
congrats all around guys. this is an amazing project you completed with tons of 'first of its kind' components involved. to think you completed it in such a short amount of time is hard to comprehend!

GL at the strip fallon and be safe out there. - ben

[dzenno@PTF]

OMG do you let your guys sleep or eat ever @HPF Chris? Hope you take care of that crew WELL! Amazing build!

[fundahl]

Wow. Way to step up the game! Show the world what you can really do with the S54!

Love that manifold and turbo system layout.

[HPF Chris]

[fundahl]

Looks ready for business Chris!

[Sticky]

http://www.60-130.com/images/im...3rear_16-1.jpg

Can't stress enough how badass this picture is.