The F80 M3 Power-Per-Dollar Sweet Spot: 742 WHP on PURE 700 Turbos
Andrew's 2018 BMW F80 M3 arrived with a strong supporting-mod foundation and a clear goal: find the S55's real-world power-per-dollar sweet spot. With unreleased-at-the-time PURE 700 turbos, EU5 injectors, a B58 ignition-coil conversion, and a custom flex-fuel calibration, the car moved from roughly 500 wheel horsepower on 93 octane to 742 WHP and 716 lb-ft of torque on an E48–E50 blend.
The point was not to chase the highest dyno number possible. It was to build a responsive, streetable setup that delivers serious power without immediately stepping into forged engine internals or a transmission-clutch upgrade. Here is the hardware, tuning path, measured result, and the limits that still matter.
Watch the F80 M3 PURE 700 dyno session
Open the full video on YouTube →The foundation Andrew's F80 already had
This was not a stock-car baseline. Before the latest round of upgrades, the 2018 F80 M3 already had supporting hardware intended to manage heat, airflow, exhaust flow, and ethanol content.
- CSF cooling-system upgrades
- Mosselman thermostat
- AMS Performance intakes
- Akrapovič exhaust
- Flex-fuel system
- EU5 injectors, commonly associated with the F10 M5 application
That context matters. A 742-WHP result is the product of the complete combination—hardware condition, fuel quality, tuning, ambient conditions, and the dyno—not a promise from any single part.
The upgrades that complete the combination
PURE 700 turbos: power without giving away response
The PURE 700 was unreleased at the time of filming and listed as “coming soon.” The goal was to gain meaningful airflow and power while preserving the quick response that makes an S55-powered M3 enjoyable on the street. In the video, Andrew positions it between the stock-frame limitation and the lag and supporting-mod demands that can come with a much larger turbo setup.
Nexsys B58 coil conversion and fresh NGK plugs
The Nexsys Motorsport conversion lets the N55/S55 use B58-style ignition coils. In the video, Andrew cites roughly 2.3 times the available spark energy and explains that the stronger ignition system supports a wider plug gap—about 0.026 inch instead of 0.018 inch for this setup. The intended benefits are a more complete flame front, smoother idle, cleaner throttle response, and added ignition headroom under higher boost.
The car also received fresh NGK 97506 spark plugs, gapped for the new coils and the increased cylinder pressure. Plug choice and gap should always follow the tuner’s recommendation for the exact fuel and boost target.
MHD plus MOTIV ProTuning
MHD supplies the flash platform, logging, flex-fuel support, and a dedicated setting for the B58 coil conversion. MOTIV ProTuning handled the custom calibration on the dyno. That pairing allowed the team to validate the pump-gas baseline first, then increase ethanol content and refine the tune while monitoring the fuel system.
MAD aluminum skid plate
The factory under-shielding was damaged, so the car received a MAD aluminum skid plate. Beyond tidying up the underside, the replacement adds physical protection around the exposed oil-cooler area. The plate uses rivnuts and bolts rather than relying on the original plastic-style fasteners.
Dyno results: baseline versus final flex-fuel pull
The team established the pump-gas number on 93 octane before adding Sunoco E98 to reach an E48–E50 blend. The final pull produced 742 WHP and 716 lb-ft.
| Measurement | 93-octane baseline | Final flex-fuel result |
|---|---|---|
| Ethanol content | Pump 93 | E48–E50 using Sunoco E98 |
| Wheel horsepower | Approximately 500 WHP | 742 WHP |
| Wheel torque | Approximately 500 lb-ft | 716 lb-ft |
| Calibration | Pump-gas baseline | Custom MHD/MOTIV flex-fuel tune |
| Fuel system | EU5 injectors | EU5 injectors near the practical E50 limit |
Dyno readings vary by dyno type, correction factor, weather, vehicle condition, fuel, and calibration strategy. Treat these figures as the measured result from this car and test session, not a guaranteed output for every F80 M3.
Why this is the power-per-dollar sweet spot
At this level, the build combines a relatively short list of focused upgrades with a large gain over the 93-octane baseline. It keeps the car on the stock engine internals and avoids immediately requiring an upgraded transmission-clutch package, while the PURE 700 turbos aim to retain the response expected from a street and track car.
The result is not the S55's theoretical ceiling. Andrew notes that more power is possible, but the target here is the balance among response, reliability, cost, and repeatable performance. For an owner who wants a fast, usable F80 instead of a maximum-effort dyno build, that distinction is the whole point.
The fuel system was effectively at its practical limit around E50 with the EU5 injectors, and the final output sits near the level where stock connecting rods deserve serious respect. More boost or ethanol is not automatically better.
Featured build list
The featured upgrade package totals $5,461.49. Including comparable versions of the supporting parts already on the car, budget about $18,700 before installation, tax, and shipping.
This is a current replacement-cost estimate for Andrew’s 742-WHP F80 build, rather than the owner’s original invoice. Prices are USD, checked September 11, 2026, and may change.
Featured turbo, ignition, and tuning package
| Part / service | Quantity / configuration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| PURE 700 S55 turbos | Twin-turbo set | $3,107.00 |
| Nexsys B58 coil conversion kit | Plug-and-play harness version; coils sold separately | $299.99 |
| B58 ignition coils | Six Eldor coils at $44 | $264.00 |
| NGK 97506 spark plugs | Six-plug set | $112.50 |
| MAD-110 skid plate | One; current sale price | $189.00 |
| MHD S55 Super License | One vehicle | $590.00 |
| MHD Wi-Fi adapter | One | $99.00 |
| MOTIV S55 custom tune | Hybrid turbos + flex fuel | $800.00 |
| Featured package subtotal | $5,461.49 |
Supporting upgrades already on the car
The car also had these supporting upgrades. Where the exact version wasn’t identified, the pricing below uses a comparable product or allowance.
| Supporting upgrade | Pricing basis | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| EU5/M5 injectors | Dorch package with six Bosch EU5 injectors | $749.00 |
| Mosselman oil thermostat | S55, black | $527.85 |
| AMS S55 carbon-fiber intake | Current S55 intake listing | $1,999.95 |
| Flex-fuel sensor/analyzer kit | Allowance; exact installed system unspecified | ~$500 |
| CSF cooling upgrades | Example: charge cooler $1,695 + heat exchanger $699 | $2,394.00 |
| Akrapovič exhaust | Example: F80 Slip-On with carbon tips; exact installed configuration unspecified | $7,034.99 |
| Supporting-parts estimate | $13,205.79 | |
| Combined estimate | $18,667.28 |
Budget adjustments: PURE’s optional installation kit adds $190, bringing this example to $18,857.28. Installation labor, dyno time, fluids, fuel, any required ECU unlock, and additional cooling/exhaust components are extra. Tax and shipping are not included.
Purchasing notes: The Nexsys conversion kit doesn’t include coils. This list includes six coils, the proper six-plug bundle, and a full MOTIV flex-fuel tune. MOTIV’s additional-map purchase is for existing customers; use the full S55 custom-tune link above for the package priced here.
Tools shown in the video
Key takeaways
- Andrew's previously modified F80 M3 made approximately 500 WHP and 500 lb-ft on the 93-octane baseline.
- PURE 700 turbos, EU5 injectors, B58-style coils, fresh plugs, and a custom flex-fuel calibration produced 742 WHP and 716 lb-ft on E48–E50.
- The coil conversion adds ignition headroom, but the plug gap and calibration still need to match the exact setup.
- The practical goal is responsive, repeatable street and track power—not the highest possible S55 dyno number.
- At this output, fuel-system capacity and stock connecting rods are real boundaries, not footnotes.
Safety, fitment, and performance disclaimer
Thanks for watching, and try everything at your own risk. High-performance modifications can affect emissions compliance, drivability, component life, factory warranties, and legal road use. Confirm fitment for your exact BMW, work with an experienced S55 tuner, use verified fuel, and monitor the vehicle during calibration. Power results will vary.
This article and the accompanying video are for educational and entertainment purposes. Some links may be affiliate links. Your price stays the same, and Kies Motorsports may earn a small commission that helps support future technical content.