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| Street Rocket
A 12-second blown BMW M Coupe. |
| Race Marque Systems of Van Nuys, California is one of the best tuning and engineering company's specializing in BMW. RMS founder Osh Minelian has always been interested in German-built automobiles and started in the industry about 15 years ago as a service writer for a BMW dealership. Quickly learning all the facets about what makes these such great precision built automobiles, Osh left the dealership after a few years and opened his first shop - EuroTek. Osh welcomed all German built automobiles including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi. But with the tremendous success in sales of BMWs in the US, Osh decided five years ago to close his shop and open a new and larger facility in Van Nuys, specializing in only BMW. A fine example of the work done by RMS is the transformation of this already potent 2000 BMW M Coupe. No changes were made to the exterior body panels or interior cabin, except the installation of a sports short-throw shifter in the latter. |
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| The engineers and designers at RMS suggest leaving the already stiff chassis stock, with no need for new stiffening points. Only a strut tower brace is installed, but we took it off to take the photos of the engine and supercharger. And even while leaving the 179kW 3.2-litre 6-cylinder internally stock, the RMS engineers and designers have still mapped out a package that makes the 1423kg M Coupe accelerate half a second quicker to 97 km/h. A stock M Coupe has a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) time of 5.1sec; now it is achieved in a startling 4.5sec while the quarter mile now comes in just 12.4 seconds at 111 mph! Yes, with the RMS/Vortech SuperCharger/Intercooler, the power rating of the M Coupe jumps to no less than 307kW at 6800rpm with a mighty 468Nm of torque at 5300 rpm! |
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| A gear-driven centrifugal V2-SQ Vortech SuperCharger running 9 psi of boost generates the massive power gain. The supercharger uses gear cases and volutes cast from 356 aircraft specification aluminium alloy, heat-treated to T6 hardness. Gears are of 9310 carbonised steel, providing a wear-resistant surface. The helical-cut gears of the V2 make for nearly silent operation, while supercharger oiling is integrated with the engine lubrication system, minimizing maintenance and maximizing dependability. The S-trim impeller is investment-cast of proprietary aluminium alloy, heat-treated to T6 hardness and X-rayed for quality control. Brackets are machined from 6061-T6 aluminium and are hard surface-anodised for wear and appearance. The oversized pulleys increase belt wrap, preventing slippage at maximum boost levels.
The RMS cold-air intake and discharge systems are designed on the RMS SF-600 Flow Bench for maximized flow and minimal pressure drop, with the supercharger unit neatly placed on the far left of the of engine bay. Fuel enrichment is accomplished with custom RMS Software and hi-flow motorsport injectors. RMS software also eliminates the top-speed governor, and the increased rev-limit allows for a higher top speed in each gear. RMS Software is dyno-tested and carries a lifetime warranty with a 90-day money-back performance guarantee. |
