97 M3 with fuel starvation

[97M3]

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?

[John in Houston]

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

[Wirtz]

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?

[John in Houston]

Re: 97 M3 with fuel starvation

Do folks just put a cell behind the diff like most cars?

Yup.

[Fair!]

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).

[97M3]

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...

[Fair!]

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...

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.

[cledbetter]

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

[97M3]

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?

[Fair!]

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

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.

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".

[97M3]

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.