Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

97 M3 with fuel starvation

Collapse
X
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • 97 M3 with fuel starvation

    This is the 4dr M3. Had our first track day at Thunderhill. Doesn't like long right handers with G's and less than 1/2 a tank of fuel. Any quick fixes other than running a full tank?

  • #2
    Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

    Quick fixes? Run more fuel.

    More expensive and time consuming fixes? Add a second fuel pump to the other 1/2 of the tank. Bimmerworld has a kit ($$$$). There is a PDF instruction file on-line somewhere which documents what to do, how to do it and what you need. I'd go that route.

    Bimmerworld link

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

      Just out of curosity; I semi ran into this when I was building an e36 ITS car, but never got around to a solution. What kind of fuel cell options are there for an e36? Seems like the stock location for the tank is pretty hard to beat. Do folks just put a cell behind the diff like most cars?

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

        Originally posted by Wirtz View Post
        Do folks just put a cell behind the diff like most cars?
        Yup.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

          This isn't a problem on 1995 M3s, or any E36 prior to 1996. BMW, in there infinite wisdom, made the 1996-up cars pull fuel from the dual saddle tank less effectively.


          BMW E36 dual saddle fuel tank

          There's a kit from Turner to convert a 1996-1999 E36 to the 1995 M3's dual pickup system. Its like $300 or so. It works down to less than 1 gallon. If you have class rules that prevent changes like this it would take dropping the tank to see this conversion, and still probably a BMW technical manual to decipher the stock looking pieces.

          Fuel starvation in E36 cars occurs in sweeping right hand turns and has a similar effect to lifting in the middle of the turn, sometimes with over 1/2 tank of fuel! Since most sweeping turns are high speed, this can have disastrous results when driving the car at or near its limits. Additionally, starvation causes a lean condition in the engine leading to possible detonation and expensive engine damage.
          http://store.bimmerworld.com/shared/...t=products.asp

          Turner used to sell the dual pickup 1995 M3 kit, but I can't find it there. It seems Bimmerworld has dropped the same kit (Stage I) and only sell the dual fuel pump option ($319). Have not used this one, but the dual pickup kit works damn well and is fairly easy to install. I suppose with a little time on ETK or RealOEM.com you could figure out what you needed and build the kit yourself (shouldn't be $200 in parts).
          Terry Fair - www.vorshlag.com
          2018 GT / S550 Dev + 2013 FR-S / 86 Dev + 2011 GT / S197 Dev + C4 Corvette Dev
          EVO X Dev + 2007 Z06 / C6 Dev + BMW E46 Dev + C5 Corvette Dev

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

            You can buy the sender level and pump for the 95 right from WorldPac for $130.00? Is that all you need? Are the electrical connector s the same? Crossover fuel line? I ordered them for the shop tomorrow and will keep you updated...

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

              Originally posted by 97M3 View Post
              You can buy the sender level and pump for the 95 right from WorldPac for $130.00? Is that all you need? Are the electrical connector s the same? Crossover fuel line? I ordered them for the shop tomorrow and will keep you updated...
              Let me see... I think the old Turner "dual pickup conversion kit" included the fuel level sending unit, the crossover tube assembly, and the entire fuel pump assembly. Basically - both side assemblies that go into the tank saddle sections plus the crossover lines.
              Terry Fair - www.vorshlag.com
              2018 GT / S550 Dev + 2013 FR-S / 86 Dev + 2011 GT / S197 Dev + C4 Corvette Dev
              EVO X Dev + 2007 Z06 / C6 Dev + BMW E46 Dev + C5 Corvette Dev

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

                This the turner one? http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...7&shippingZip=

                You think anyone will be able to tell about the BimmerWorld pickup or it going to be more obvious?

                Christopher

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

                  Turner's kit is nothing more than the pre-1/95 fuel delivery system. Just buy the older pump and sender, remove the internal line and use new fuel line for the external crossover. BUT, does it work?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

                    Originally posted by cledbetter View Post
                    This the turner one? http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...7&shippingZip=

                    You think anyone will be able to tell about the BimmerWorld pickup or it going to be more obvious?

                    Christopher
                    Yep, that's it. I forgot how pricey it is. You could make your own with...
                    • E3000-50718, 1995 M3 fuel pump assembly, $169.94
                    • E2030-75882, Fuel Level Sending Unit, $67.05
                    • Custom piece of high pressure fuel hose, ~$30
                    • Total $236.99
                    • Source: http://www.bimmerzone.com


                    So Turner is making a modest little profit, but it is a complete kit with the fuel hose and directions, from what I hear.



                    Originally posted by 97M3 View Post
                    Turner's kit is nothing more than the pre-1/95 fuel delivery system. Just buy the older pump and sender, remove the internal line and use new fuel line for the external crossover. BUT, does it work?
                    Yes, it works. I know people that have used the Turner kit in 1996-99 M3s and they can race down to the last gallon... "good to the last drop".
                    Terry Fair - www.vorshlag.com
                    2018 GT / S550 Dev + 2013 FR-S / 86 Dev + 2011 GT / S197 Dev + C4 Corvette Dev
                    EVO X Dev + 2007 Z06 / C6 Dev + BMW E46 Dev + C5 Corvette Dev

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

                      We installed the 95 setup and ran it dry without any starvation! We used hard line between the sender and pump and 4 inches of fuel line and clamps.

                      Comment

                      Working...
                      X