It’s time for the Z3M to go to the Dyno.
BMW’s advertised horsepower is often less than the actual one. This has been evident in models like the 328i, which was nearly a decade old, to the all new M4. This applies even to BMW engines such as the turbocharged straight six in the current Supra.
But, is the same thought process still applicable to neoclassic BMWs as well? These engines still produce the numbers, but time has been kind to them. It’s time for one of these Bimmers to go on the dyno. It’s a Z3M Coupe from late 2001 or very early 2002. Evolve Automotive owns this Z3M Coupe.
Evolve Automotive, a tuning company that tuned the F90 M5, produced 1,000 horsepower. This Z3M Coupe is largely unchanged. Evolve only changed the headers, exhaust, and a faster steering rack. This shouldn’t have any effect on the final dyno results. It shouldn’t take much to make it faster than stock even with the new pipes.
The Z3M’s engine was a 3.2-liter straight-six. The S54B32 is a Euro-spec car that packs more punch than the US models. It produces 321 horsepower (239 Kilowatts) as well as 258 pound-feet (353 Newton-meters). The US version produced 315 horsepower (235 Kilowatts) and 251 pounds-feet (334 Newton-meters).
Evolve Automotive’s Irman believes that the engine is strong and healthy. That’s his opinion based on the engine’s dyno. The truth and numbers should be revealed by a real dyno test. What are the results? Let’s just say that Irman was correct about the car’s performance.
The figures from these three runs are quite interesting, even if you add in headers and exhaust. Although we won’t give away too much, it is still close to the advertised horsepower. Although results may vary from one car to another, the test shows that an M engine with good care still has a lot of horses.