Harrop Engineering 2008 BMW E92 M3

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Harrop Engineering 2008 BMW E92 M3

Balance. It's what BMW's M3 has been praised for since it burst onto the scene back in the mid-1980s. Originally a heavily modified homologation variant of the small E30 two-door sedan built for Group A touring car racing, it grew into more street oriente
May 28, 2014 5:03 AM AWST
Balance. It's what BMW's M3 has been praised for since it burst onto the scene back in the mid-1980s. Originally a heavily modified homologation variant of the small E30 two-door sedan built for Group A touring car racing, it grew into more street oriented models through the next two generations, though they still packed screaming naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines and beautifully balanced chassis.

Harrop Engineering 2008 BMW E92 M3

By the time the E92 rolled onto the scene in the 21st Century many BMW M Sport purists decried the largest and heaviest M3 to date. They didn't like the fact it was V8 powered or that it was so damn big - they wanted a lithe corner-carving monster that thrived on an excellent power-to-weight ratio.

This is where Aussie legends Harrop Engineering stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball way out of the park. Over their five decades in business, Harrop have built more race cars than Clive Palmer has had hot dinners, and they've become especially adept at equipping their engines with superchargers. So they were the perfect people to go through the German 2-door like a dose of salts in the quest for speed.

The Victorian company was the first to release a positive-displacement supercharger kit for an M3, known as the TVS M3. It uses an Eaton front-driven TVS 1740 belt-driven supercharger and integrated intercooler, which sits in the valley between the S65 V8's cylinder heads.

Though the BMW M Sport engine is an absolute cracker in standard form, the supercharger works brilliantly, adding meat to the powerband rather than just stacking on a whack of peak power. It's been paired with a full suite of upgrades, too, ensuring the car maintains that famous M3 balance.

Harrop are also known for their super-strong brake packages and the E92 features an 'Ultimate Brake Kit'. How ultimate? Try 381mm and 356mm discs front/rear, clamped by six-piston and four-piston aluminium calipers! These whopper stoppers are hidden behind Forgeline GA3R wheels shod in super-grippy Toyo R888 semi-slick tyres for a perfect mix of street sweet and track aggression.

The V8 barks loudly and crisply thanks to the Akrapovic titanium exhaust system. Readers who like a bit of two-wheeled action will recognise the name as the European superbike exhaust manufacturer also has a line for high-end supercars, including Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches and also BMW M cars.

Titanium is significantly lighter than steel, so this expensive new exhaust not only improves noise but saves a packet of weight from the car, too. While they were improving performance, the Harrop engineers also went through the suspension.

The standard struts have also been replaced by high-end German KW Clubsport three-way coilover units, better suiting the high mechanical grip levels of the semi-slick tyres than the standard, more comfort/road-oriented set-up.

Inside there are race seats, harnesses, an extended-height short-shift gearshifter and a bolt-in four-point roll cage to bring back some of the M3's homologation race car origins.

All up the Harrop M3 is a BMW on fast forward. The car retains its wonderful balance as every area of performance has been taken to the next level, leaving nothing behind. Just like any M3 purist should want it.

To find out more about what Harrop Engineerign can do for your car, go to: www.harrop.com.au

Harrop Engineering 2008 BMW E92 M3 - basic upgrades

Harrop TVS M3 Supercharger Kit
Harrop Ultimate Brake Kit
Akrapovic Titanium Exhaust System
Forgeline GA3R wheels
Toyo R888 rubber
KW Clubsport 3-way Coilovers
Race seats & Harnesses
Short Shifter and extension
4pt bolt-in cage
BMW GTS Rear Wing and Front adjustable splitter


Text: Frank Slacks Photos:Luke Oxley

 

 


 

 

 

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