BMW E36 M3 Using Electric Power to Take on Pikes Peak Race

Jason · 05-17-2012, 07:33 PM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW E36 M3 Using 420 Electric Horsepowers to Take on Pikes Peak Race

54
COMMENTS

BMW may have produced the MiniE and ActiveE (electric versions of the Mini Cooper and the 1 Series Coupe), but EV West, a California conversion shop decided to electrify a more performance based nameplate - the M3... the E36 M3 to be exact.

EV West took a 1995 BMW M3 and replaced its 6 cylinder 240hp S50 engine with a NetGain DC electric motor and Evnetics Soliton Shiva motor controller, packing 420 totally green horsepowers!

For its first real test, this M3 will compete in "electric" heat of this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado (also known as the "90th Race to the Clouds"). It will be competing against 6 other electric cars in its race heat, but none are based off a conventional car like the M3.

Check out the video below of this most unique M3 shredding some tires with its new electric powerplant.

Quote:

Rally racing's favorite privateer and Pikes Peak veteren, Bill Caswell [of the controversial "Death of BMW's M Brand" Jalopnik article] stopped by the EV West shop to take the electric M3 for a test ride. Ride along with Bill as he takes his first ride in a performance oriented electric vehicle.

EV West took a 1995 BMW M3 and replaced its 6 cylinder 240hp S50 engine with a NetGain DC electric motor and Evnetics Soliton Shiva motor controller, packing 420 totally green horsepowers! [Original Thread and Video]

Grayson · 05-17-2012, 08:04 PM

That motor looks badass!

335iJWC · 05-17-2012, 08:07 PM

SWEEEEEEET!

but at the same time

as this might be the future of motorstports

kgroschi · 05-17-2012, 08:12 PM

I want those red switches

Daft · 05-17-2012, 08:26 PM

Nice conversion, wonder how much torque it puts out.

GMW · 05-17-2012, 08:28 PM

You've got my attention!
now go produce some results. Good luck!

Chaddy808 · 05-17-2012, 08:28 PM

SICK BRO!

Diver · 05-17-2012, 08:31 PM

Drive up, recharge on the way down. Head to Colorado Springs for a few beers...

VGR00 · 05-17-2012, 08:31 PM

dont forget to charge it up

username604 · 05-17-2012, 08:42 PM

what's up with the air intakes?

e92ben · 05-17-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verbatim

what's up with the air intakes?

Right!

Diver · 05-17-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verbatim

what's up with the air intakes?

Must be to cool the batteries so they don't catch fire.

rollinstone157 · 05-17-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

Must be to cool the batteries so they don't catch fire.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking--motor and battery pack cooling. They're going to be pushing it hard on Pikes, need to keep that stuff cool

Forster · 05-17-2012, 09:10 PM

Sick!! Subscribbled!

Bimmer Nerd · 05-17-2012, 09:12 PM

Electric motors are cool and all....but nothing will replace the sound of that S50.

PS. Jason, 95 M3's came with S50s, not S52.

Sniz · 05-17-2012, 09:19 PM

^ correct

Sniz · 05-17-2012, 09:21 PM

thats pretty damned awesome, best of luck to them!

Marioalex24 · 05-17-2012, 09:48 PM

I want that electric motor.

Fugly M3 · 05-17-2012, 09:48 PM

but whats the range?

ORIGIN M. · 05-17-2012, 10:24 PM

Range
?????
????
???
??
?

username604 · 05-17-2012, 10:42 PM

why do you need filtered air to cool an engine/battery? haha

Diver · 05-17-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marioalex24

I want that electric motor.

Yeah, it would make an awesome hair dryer.

05-17-2012, 08:04 PM	#2
Grayson Heisenberg 51 Rep 569 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Santa Cruz, CA iTrader: (2)	That motor looks badass! __________________ AR Catless Downpipes \| Berk Full Street Exhaust \| HPF FMIC \| COBB AP \| aFe Magnum Stage 2 \| E93 M3 Front Sway Bar & Bushings \| Michelin Pilot Super Sports \| Hardwired Radar \| Eurotek BBS LM \| Schmiedmann LCI Blacklines \| BMW Performance: Spoiler, Diffuser, Shift Boot, E-Brake
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05-17-2012, 08:07 PM	#3
335iJWC ~~~ 24 Rep 592 Posts Drives: JB 335i-M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Simi Valley iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [9.00]	SWEEEEEEET! but at the same time as this might be the future of motorstports __________________ . ................
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05-17-2012, 08:12 PM	#4
kgroschi Captain 690 Rep 958 Posts Drives: 08' M5, '09 335i, '18 M3 MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Munich and Los Angeles (O.C.) iTrader: (0)	I want those red switches
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05-17-2012, 08:26 PM	#5
Daft Major 387 Rep 1,204 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (2) Garage List 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [10.00]	Nice conversion, wonder how much torque it puts out.
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05-17-2012, 08:28 PM	#6
GMW Dolphin 38 42 Rep 815 Posts Drives: a Submarine Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (6)	You've got my attention! now go produce some results. Good luck! __________________ 13' e92 M3 Frozen DARK Blue - Current 02' e39 540i Msport 6MT - DD 92' e34 535i AC Schnitzer - stolen/written off 11' e92 M3 - new owner 10' S1000RR - miss it every day / 09' K1300S - miss it most of all.
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05-17-2012, 08:28 PM	#7
Chaddy808 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	SICK BRO!
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05-17-2012, 08:31 PM	#8
Diver Brigadier General 506 Rep 3,445 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Drive up, recharge on the way down. Head to Colorado Springs for a few beers... __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
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05-17-2012, 08:31 PM	#9
VGR00 Major 55 Rep 1,497 Posts Drives: 430i Gran Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane - Australia iTrader: (1)	dont forget to charge it up
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05-17-2012, 08:42 PM	#10
username604 Colonel 127 Rep 2,554 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: repair shop iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [10.00]	what's up with the air intakes?
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05-17-2012, 09:10 PM	#14
Forster Private First Class 14 Rep 167 Posts Drives: X5M, S54 Mcoupe Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Sick!! Subscribbled! __________________ 11' BMW X5 M 01' BMW M Coupe
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05-17-2012, 09:12 PM	#15
Bimmer Nerd Major General 527 Rep 7,783 Posts Drives: 6MT F80 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Santa Monica, CA iTrader: (12)	Electric motors are cool and all....but nothing will replace the sound of that S50. PS. Jason, 95 M3's came with S50s, not S52.
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05-17-2012, 09:19 PM	#16
Sniz Lieutenant General 688 Rep 10,584 Posts Drives: e92 335 - gone // e36 M3 turbo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (1)	^ correct __________________
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05-17-2012, 09:21 PM	#17
Sniz Lieutenant General 688 Rep 10,584 Posts Drives: e92 335 - gone // e36 M3 turbo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (1)	thats pretty damned awesome, best of luck to them! __________________
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05-17-2012, 09:48 PM	#18
Marioalex24 Lieutenant 21 Rep 427 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	I want that electric motor. __________________ Future car ///M2
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05-17-2012, 09:48 PM	#19
Fugly M3 Major General 5920 Rep 5,376 Posts Drives: 2023 M3CX Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5)	but whats the range? __________________ 2024 M4CX M2C PCD M2C Mountain West Roadie M4 Cross Country Roadie 2017 230i ED 2023 G87 Nurburgring Trip
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05-17-2012, 10:24 PM	#20
ORIGIN M. Banned 3160 Rep 9,134 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Hemisphere iTrader: (0)	Range ????? ???? ??? ?? ?
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05-17-2012, 10:42 PM	#21
username604 Colonel 127 Rep 2,554 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: repair shop iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [10.00]	why do you need filtered air to cool an engine/battery? haha
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