Michael Swale's Garage-Built 1991 BMW E30 M30 - Obsession

Building a project car is a time-consuming and costly endeavor. While some projects actually get completed, others live in a perpetual state of progression, where the obsession to make it something other than it is never stops.

Such is the case with this 1991 E30 M3, owned by Michael Swale of Seattle, Washington. Originally built for autocross, then later tweaked for BMW CCA track events, the car's original 2.3-liter engine eventually went south. Seems the timing chain skipped a few teeth at 7000 rpm during a competition at Spokane Raceway. Needless to say, this is where the project took on a life of its own.

Almost entirely garage-built by Swale, credit for its completion is freely given to the likes of Will Turner of Turner Motorsport, Tony Longinotti of Mechanic Masters in Spokane, and Gustave Strose for their combined help and expertise.

Boasting an impressive 245 whp at 7400 rpm, the punched-out 2.5 liter also pulls an equally stout 200 lb-ft of torque at 5200 rpm. "The power delivery is continuous," said Swale. "Spinning the wheels at will, even through the lower gears, is an effortless game." Clad with carbon-fiber and excessively detailed, the engine is as visually appealing as any other part of the car's buffed and accessorized exterior. Likewise in the cabin, where comfort and sport touches mesh freely.

Building from its inherently adept chassis, the rest of the package is refined to Swale's liking, including a tuned suspension system and a wealth of exterior styling and aerodynamic components.

Having owned a mix of driver's cars, such as '76 Lancia Scorpion, an '87 RX7 and a '95 Miata, among others, Swale quickly embraced BMW and found the E30 M3 a perfect fit for street and track.

1991 BMW M3

Engine
Type
2.5-liter inline four, dohc 16-valve, fuel-injected

Power Output
245 hp @ 7400 rpm (at the wheels)
200 lb-ft of torque @ 5200 rpm(at the wheels)

Internal Modifications
2.5 Sport Evo Crankshaft, Pauter lightweight rods, 11.25:1 Wisco pistons and Total Seal rings, Grip N Gasket kit, Schrick 284/276 cams, Schrick big valves (38mm/36mm) and valve springs w/titanium valve hardware, head port matched. Assembled by Tony Longinotti of Mechanic Masters, Spokane, Wash.

External Modifications
Sport Evo throttle bodies, injectors, oil pump and air horns, DTM carbon-fiber intake and air box, Group A two-piece header, Supersprint DTM muffler w/Supersprint center section, Jakobs C-4 ignition coil, Ignition Solutions plasma booster

Engine Management Modifications
Maxx Alpha/N computer w/Bosch ECU, Jim Conforti 2.5L chip for AFM and injectors

Drivetrain
Drivetrain Modifications
Close-ratio transmission w/dog-leg first, 3.46 limited-slip differential, Sport Evo flywheel, Sachs Racing clutch, Sachs LT Race pressure plate

Suspension
Ground Control coilovers, Koni adjustable shocks, Suspension Techniques sway bars, Ground Control sway bar links, camber plates and rear shock mounts, Sparco strut brace, urethane trailing arm bushings, Delrin offset control arm Bushings

Brakes
TMS four-pot LTW brake calipers, Hawk HPF+ brake pads, Zimmerman cross-drilled front and rear rotors, stainless-steel braided brake lines

Exterior
Wheels
BBS RC polished 8x17-in., front/rear

Tires
Bridgestone F03, 225/45-17

Body
VIS carbon-fiber hood, Evo carbon-fiber DTM front splitter and venturi, Evo front grilles and bumper gasket, Evo carbon-fiber DTM rear spoiler, Evo brake ducts w/Bimmerworld brake duct hose kit, carbon-fiber DTM side mirrors, Evo tow hook covers, smoked Hella Euro ellipsoids and HID headlamps, smoked side markers, TMS smoked turn signals, smoked Hella taillights, Motorsport decals. Painted by Jeff Buttler of Hauries in Seattle, Wash.

Interior
Recaro SRD seats, Speedware four-point harness bar, Sparco four-point racing harness, Mtech II steering wheel, E30 lighted dog-leg shift knob, UUC short-shift kit, leather hill-brake handle, 9000-rpm tach, 180-mph speedo, chrome gauge bezels, ACS knockoff foot pedals/dead pedal, Evo door panels and sill plates, Blaupunkt Munchen deck with steering wheel controls, Infinity 700w 5-channel amp, Infinity Kappa 50.2 separates and two Infinity Kappa 10-in. subs within a custom Evo Motorsport wrapped box