Description
Chassis
- FIA spec cage built by Custom Fabrication
- GAZ Gold coilovers with custom rate springs
- RPM camber/ caster plates
- Polybushed throughout
- Adjustable toe/ camber plates on rear
- E34 540i front and rear brakes with ducting
- New OEM centre steering bar (now NLA)
Wheels
- 16x8” cross-spoke wheels with 245/ 45/ 16 Kumho V70A K90 tyres – two sets, one completely unused, one has covered two laps of Snetterton
Diff
- 3. 91:1 188 case LSD, rebuilt by Competition Transmission Services to include a modified lock-up rate and take-offs for a diff cooler
Fuel System
- Customer Fabrication 120L baffled aluminium fuel tank in the boot
- Internal fuel filler, sight gauge and vent hose
- Twin Bosch 044 fuel pumps
- Swirl pot and filter
Interior
- Detachable MOMO suede steering wheel
- Custom dash with race gauges
- Floor-mounted pedal box with remote reserves (accessed under dash vent)
- Brake bias adjuster
- Brake booster
- Plumbed fire extinguisher (will need service)
- Manual electrical cut-off
- Corbeau seat and 6 point harness on runners
- Custom door cards included but not currently fitted
- Retains factory glass, so potential to save more weight
- Odyssey race battery mounted in rear passenger footwell
Exterior
- Car was professionally resprayed in 2021 in its original Diamant-schwarz
- Lightened boot lid
- Gas struts retained on bonnet
- New front wings from BMW for respray
- Original chrome bumpers fitted. Rear shows some signs of corrosion to one side
Exhaust
- Full stainless steel custom build exhaust with twin outlets
Engine electronics
- OMEX 710 ECU fitted by Northampton Motorsport with custom wiring harness
- Conversion to 6 output coil pack
- Magnecor ignition lead set
Engine
I bought the car with an M30B34 fitted, which I had upgraded for the first year of racing. After the first year, I decided to upgrade the engine again, this time by swapping the M30 for an M88/ 3 from a donor M635CSi. During the mapping of the OMEX ECU, a knocking developed. This was investigated by Phil Crouch who diagnosed that it had spun shells 4 and 6. At that point the M88/ 3 was removed, stripped, and…. that’s where it’s been for the last decade.
As such, the car is available with either (or both) of an M30B35 or the M88/ 3. The M88/ 3 will require a replacement crank. I have cranks from an M30B34 and M30B35 which can be used with custom pistons. The block has been checked and honed by Knight Engine Services and is in good condition, and I have accumulated all of the other parts required to rebuild the M88/ 3. The M30B35 is a standard engine, which has had the head removed. I have simply run out of free time to get either engine back together.
The pictures show the M88/ 3 fitted with the carbon airbox. The OMEX ECU removes the need for an AFM, and the car was showing good power during it’s initial run on the dyno using the base OMEX map. The OMEX ECU and wiring can also run the M30B35.
Gearbox
- Manual 5 speed gearbox from an E34 535i, will fit both M30 and M88/ 3
Other
- DataLogic DL1 supplied but never fitted
The car weighs in at 1089kg ready to run, and is a hoot to drive. It was a frequent contender towards the front of the field, giving 911s a strong run. Originally starting life in 1986 as a 535i SE, it was a BMW press car when new. In 2009 it was converted for racing, with a lot of the early prep work carried out by Performance Autoworks.
I’ve owned this car since 2013, and raced it in the CSCC Future Classics series for a few years. It’s eligible for many others too, including CTCRC Pre ’93.
