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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: CroakBMW

Location: San Marcos, California

Vehicle Info

1993 BMW 3-Series

Bragging Rights

  • 1/4 Mile13.2 sec @ 108.7 mph
  • 0-604.2 sec
  • Top Speed148 mph
  • HP462.2
  • Weight3050 lbs

Major Upgrades

  • engine swap
  • supercharger

Ratings

    • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
    • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
    • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
    • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.

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Last updated: Jun 17, 2007

Hits: 13,004

John’s BMW 3-Series:
“The Bavarian Falcon”

  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
13 guestbook comments

UPDATE: Page 7 has new dyno results, Jan 15 2005

395 RWHP Supercharged M3 Conversion "The Bavarian Falcon"

"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself" - Han Solo

CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 51

CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 1

I've done a full write up on the whole process elsewhere, follow the link below if you're REALLY bored

My M3 Conversion Thread on Bimmerforums.com

This car started out as a 325is, a 2.5L I6 automatic, with 160k miles on it when I purchased it in 2002. I loved the color (Granite Silver Metallic) and the car was priced right, so I bought it.

Not long after I bought it the car, I installed a Dinan Stage 2 suspension, Dinan engine software, Dinan auto trans software, and a Dinan carbon fiber CAI.

That was 10+ "Dinan Points", so I got a nifty badge to stick on the trunk.

CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 31

Car ran well and handled great, but just wasn't all that fast, 200HP at the crank give or take, and a slushbox.

So, in February 2003, I bought a rolled and totalled 1995 M3 with 70k miles on it as a donor car to turn the 325 into a Frankenbimmer.

CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 16
CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 20

CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 21
CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 26

M3 3.0L S50 Motor, M3 ZF 5 speed transmission, complete leather interior, M3 front and rear subframe, M3 suspension, and M3 brakes from the wrecked car went into my 325, finishing up in late March 2003. Essentially, everything but the sheet metal, glass, and VIN number were M3 parts (or better).

CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 15
CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 3

The power was good, but I wanted more. I installed a lightweight flywheel, Euro 3.5" HFM, larger injectors, and new software. Better power, but not enough.

CroakBMW's 1993 BMW 3-Series San Marcos, CA Customized with Fidanza Transmission, Dinan Brakes, Custom Header, Dinan Strut Bars, Dinan Intake, Ground Control Springs, KONI Shocks, VDO Gauges, a/d/s Speakers, a/d/s Tweeters, Harman Kardon Video, Custom Body Kit, Harman Kardon Head Unit, Sony Amplifier, Dinan Engine Comps., Bosch Ignition, Dinan Exhaust, Valentine One Engine Electronics, Dinan Wheels, Michelin Tires, Custom Lighting, Infinity Subwoofers - 17

Handling was also good, but not good enough, so I installed a Ground Control coil-over setup, and upgraded the brake rotors to Motorsport "Euro floaters".

I still wanted more power, so in August I installed a 3.38 limited slip differential from an M3 automatic to replace the 3.15 limited slip that was already on the car. Noticably quicker now, but still not quick enough.

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: CroakBMW

Location: San Marcos, California