Back in April, Nate wrote up an attractive E30 M3 S38 swap that was asking all the money for what was a non-original car. But we liked it, mostly because it was a well executed build and it took what would have been a tired S14 E30 and breathed new life into it. So what else does that great S38B36 look at home in? One of the complaints about the E36 in North America was that the M3 didn’t get a full-blown M motor as its predecessors and stablemates, but the builder of today’s track attack 1998 M3 has resolved that. Backdating the motor, this E36 is a rolling M appreciation billboard that will remind you what an incredible track car the E36 makes:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 BMW M3 on eBay
Year: 1998
Model: M3
Engine: 3.6 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 150,000 mi
Price: Reserve Auction
This has been my personal car that we converted into a full Track Car to promote a business that I’ve recently sold in February, 2014. Our goal at that time was to build something unique without taking away BMW’s lineage and this is what we ended up with. We wanted a strong reliable engine that had enough torque and horsepower that didn’t need a lot of wrenching between race sessions. After it’s debut event at Chuckwalla Raceway, we knew we built a great car! It will also be featured in Performance BMW Magazine in the next few months. Check out the attached youtube video link below. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
A very good candidate for Club Racing… NASA GTS3
Car weighs 2605lbs 54frt 46rr Weight Distribution.
*Global Time Attack 1st place Limited Class RWD in Chuckwalla Raceway 2013.
*Redline Time Attack 1st place Modified Class RWD and Super Session winner at Willow Springs Raceway 2013.
*Redline Time Attack 1st place Unlimited Class RWD and Super Session winner at Buttonwillow Raceway 2013.
EXTERIOR / AERO
-Custom Paint Job (Porsche GT3 RS Riviera Blue and Red)-Dzus Fastened Bumpers
-Alumalite Front Splitter
-Alumalite Drive Planes
-Custom Metal Wide Body Flares
-Seam welded front shock towers
-Tubular front Bulkhead / Radiator support
-Deleted Door Handles
-Frame Mounted Bimmerworld Race Wing
-Custom Uprights for Race Wing
-Dzus fastened Trunk Lid
-Sunroof opening Delete
-Custom Fiberglass Hood
-Racequip Tow Strap
ENGINE
-S38 B36 3.6 liter from an (E34 M5)-S38 B38 Cam Gears
-Kempower Speed sensor delete
-Custom Wire Harness
-Custom 4″ Intake plumbing and K&N Filter
-E34 M5 Oil Cooler
-Custom Engine mounts
COOLING
-Ireland Engineering Racing Aluminum Radiator-Electric Cooling Fan
TRANSMISSION / DRIVETRAIN
-E30 M3 GETRAG 265 (Freshly Rebuilt)-Custom Transmission Mounts
-6 Puck Racing Clutch
-Custom Driveshaft by Wenco
-4.27 BMW LSD Rear Differential
EXHAUST
-Custom Headers-Custom 3″ straight pipe
INTERIOR / SAFETY
-Full Custom Roll Cage w/ Gussets (Followed NASA Specs)-SPARCO Steering wheel
-SPARCO Pro 2000 Racing Seat
-SPARCO Side Mounts
-VAC Motorsports Seat Bracket
-Crow Industries 5 Point Harness
-Summit Racing Switch Plate
-Summit Racing Single Gauge
-Longacre Rear view mirror
-I/O Port Window net
WHEELS /TIRES
-Apex ARC-8 17×10.5 et.25 all Four Corners-Nitto NT01 275/40/17
-18mm spacers x2 on the front only
-Motorsport Hardware 90mm extended lugs
BRAKES
-ABS Delete-Manual Brake Bias controller
-Steel Braided Brake lines
-Custom brake Lines
-Raybestos Race Pads
SUSPENSION
-Ground Control (Custom Valving) Race Version-Ground Control Camber Caster plates
-Eibach 550/650 Spring rates
-H&R Adjustable Front and Rear Sway Bars
-Ground Control Race Trailing Arm Solid Bushings
-SPC Rear Camber arms
-Front lower Control arm Delrin Bushings
-There is a minor damage on the passenger side quarter panel from making contact with a tire. Body work and paint will be no more than $500.00 to fix. I have attached a photo of the damage.
-I will put in a brand new Windshield for the new owner.Here’s a short video of the car- Youtube search “E36 M3 S38 powered” Ebay doesn’t allow video links anymore…
There is certainly an impressive build here, and having recently been to the track and seen a similarly prepared E36 tackle Lime Rock Park first hand, these M3s are still potent track cars capable of keeping up with and besting many newer cars. Add some reliable horsepower from the S38 to the mix along with a healthy dose of torque in a lightweight and well balanced chassis, and this is really an M-fan’s delight. It may be a bit unconventional; a mix of E30 M3, E34 M5 and E36 M3, but overall I really like it. It’s a bit disappointing that the car wasn’t painted Laguna Seca Blue to keep it in the M family, but I don’t criticize the builder for painting it a color they liked, and Rivera Blue is certainly a great color. The red accents are a bit much for me, and I’d likely tone it down with silver or graphite accents personally, but these are minor quibbles. The real meat of the build is an attractive package that will certainly be a competitive one and more than enough car for most drivers to enjoy for years to come. The E36 M3, like the 944 Turbo, seems a natural born racer and this car takes that to the next level.
-Carter
