After 2 years of playing with the idea, i have decided that i am going to go ahead and tune my coop but just wanted to run a few questions by the the more experienced tuners first so i have a more clear understanding.This is the final spec:
2871r .64
fmic
sip on to ramair
3" turbo back with decat
live map over ?chip
440cc injectors
255 fuel pump
ngk plugs
avcr
clutch

Dont think it will, but will the standard manifold handle this kind of setup?or will it have to go tubular?and finaly before i go and empty my bank account,With the addition of forged rods, pistons and some headwork at a later date Is this setup likely to make the holy grail of 400hp? and if so to anyone running similar compared to the money youve spent has it been worthwhile?
Many thanks guys.Any info would be greatly appreciated.

i would ditch the ram air kit they slow the air down

as for the 400bhp you will need a live map and posibly a gt34 series turbo and with a external wastegate and tubular manifold

I'm fairly sure Nigel is running the GT2871R, not sure which housing though. IIRC is over 400bhp (or there abouts from his recent dyno). Nigel has headwork and forged bits. Matty is on std internals with GT3071R and is over 430bhp Fleas stats are here for 480bhp with a GT3076R .86

This thread comparing two turbos , have a read mate
http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=629060&fpart=2

Fiat Coupe about passion , if you want something different and fast tune your coupe

2871R 0.64 will not reach 400BHP you need to go GT30. Also I would suggest headwork and standalone ECU with Map sensing.

2871 will reach 400hp

yes but not the 0.64 A/R the 0.86 A/R will.

I thought Nigel has 400bhp , or i'm wrong

405.9 , but still it’s on the limit of the turbo as Garrett rate it to 390BHP so it’s really pushing. I have the same turbo but if I was doing my build again I would go with a GT30 0.63 A/R series with ex wastegate.

In the title of the thread you ask if a 400bhp coupe is worth it over an M3, by that do you mean will it be as good or better ?

I'm quite sure the answer will be no, the M3 is a proper drivers car designed to be just that, a coupe, even with 400bhp will never be a match for that.
Its a fiat tipo chassis with some extra bits under there to fit the coupe shell.
You could build a very nice coupe for the price of an M3 but what do you want out of the car ?

thanks for your help lads.Back to the drawing board...

Totally agree with what Jimbo says, I was thinking that but didnt know how to put it in writing......

so to sum the thread up a 400bhp coop will never match an M3 just be faster..
in 3rd gear onward.

yes, my turbo is a GT2871R 0.64AR - it has produced 400bhp on a few occasions, but its currently a little bit shy of that (saw 395bhp at PowerStation at the end of January, but this has somehow dropped to 326bhp at DynoDemon last weekend)

Personally, I think the turbo is good for another 20bhp or so, but my mapping is very conservative, with 11.5 AFR and standard ignition advance

A bit leaner or a bit more advance would probably yield some decent results, but the safety margin would drop. As it stands, its ultra-safe

Well - that's just not true is it?

You can flow 400bhp+ on the standard manifold.

If you want the engine to last then you also need forged pistons + rods in addition to the above, which cost a lot of money.

A 400bhp will destroy an M3 when rolling, but even spending thousands on the handling (I know - I've done it) it wont corner like a RWD car that is designed to go round corners.

If you really want a 400bhp coupe then go for it, if you just want a faster car then the M3 would be a good choice - dull, and does not have the flair of a coupe, but a very solid all round car...

There's only one correct statement in there and its the bit about the map

The Ramair is fine. The GT2871 is fine. The internal wastegate is fine. The standard (but port-matched) manifold is fine.

And despite me having one of the quickest AND best handling Coupes on the forum, I'd swap it for a current-model M3 in an instant (although I'd probably get bored with the lack of grunt and end up selling the M3, the house and the kids and getting something like a Maser GT - no faster, but sooooo much style)

Watz - Sorry to go off the topic.
Simon - could you tell us please , what your new toy , if you bought one?

What M3, big difference over the last 15 years?

Yep - RX7 FD3.

I've had yellow type-r 1993 .
The insurance and fuel consumption are downside , but most certanly the coolest car i've drove.

Yep - it's been tweaked a bit, and I'm sure there is some more tweaking to be done...

Just go into 3-4 rotor league

i was talking in terms of straight line 0-100 and onwards jimbo, sorry mate should of been more clear.
I think ive learned to live with the fact that it will never go round corners aswell,so i plan to ease my pain with lots and lots of torque!

Watz - where are you based?
Perhaps you can ask some members local to you take you for a spin that give you an idea.

Sorry Nigel but for the sake of my own curiosity would you be able to give me the WBHP figure from both runs just for me to compare, i dont want it to turn into another debate or argument so you can PM me it and i will keep it to my self if you wish

I think,to me anyway i would deffo have the 400bhp maybe more over tht m3.If it was faster or not,TBH honist i would have a standard coupe turbo over a m3.Love the coupe tho.
Even tho the coupe hasnt got the technolagy and fancy luxuary bits and touches.
I have to say tho the m3,most BMWs are great cars they really are.
Sound great too,you got to decide what you want to do.

M3 no question.

Is it me or do E46 M3's sound naff?

Yes, yes they do, although a straight through exhaust and it's starts to sound very F1'ish