2008 Canadian National AutoSlalom Champion - B/SP  (Solo II)

(my co-driver Brian Gay not only took the Class win but beat all other "Street Legal" entries)

Check out the right front tire!!! The left picture is before my last suspension upgrade, the right picture is afte. It's now much better than before. It used to be at least 4-6 inches off the ground. I've installed a full AST 4100 coil-over system and stiffer springs (550# Front and 650# rear).  The AST suspension and BFG R1's now have the traction exceeding the chassis' ability to deal with the cornering loads and I'm getting significant chassis flex in corners. Half-cages are now being reviewed to identify the best direction to go to try and eliminate chassis flex.

This is a great handling track car, dry or wet.  My goal for this car in 2008 was to become the 2008 Canadian National AutoSlalom (Solo II) B/SP Champion. It happened!!! My co-driver Brian did it, he's much quicker than I am.

For 2009 I've changed my focus to SoloSprint (TimeAttack). I was very fortunate to be able to line up some great sponsors for 2009:

  BFGoodrich / Amsoil   / AST-USA / BimmerSpecialits.com

  Corbeau / Dr. Vanos / Milford MicroSystems / Scotia Tire

  StopTech / VAC Motorsports / Vorshlag.com / Zeckhausen Racing

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I've decided that along with identifying the modifications that have been made to the car, it would likely be very helpful to others to also talk about what modifications work and what one don't work or are of little value. What I'm talking about is the fact that while there are some areas on an E36 M3 that can benefit from modification and where it is very desirable to make those modifications for either improved performance, safety, or reliability, or some combination of all three, there are also areas that can not be improved upon easily, or to any significant degree, without spending tons of money. This is most obvious in the exhaust where there is very little to be gained other than weight loss and a change in sound by going to an aftermarket system.

The other area that many people get wrong on these cars is handling improvements. Due to the specific design of the E36 chasis, some of the general "rules-of-thumb" about handling improvements/changes do not apply and I will try to identify these areas and provide insight into what I've learned that works.

I'm rebuilding the engine this winter and so page 11 will now be the tear-down, and rebuild page.

Because I'm slightly superstitious about the #13, Page 13 will be dedicated to pictures of the engine's demise. It seem to be the best way to deal with that as I didn't want Media Coverage to be on Page 13 and definitely not the rebuild page and it does seem logical to have Page 13 as the disaster page.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the car ready for the 2007 Grassroots Motorsports Ultimate Track Car Challenge, but we were ready for that weekend and did a double Regional AutoSlalom event in Price Edward Island.
The car took overall FTD (Fastest Time of the Day) for the weekend thanks to my co-driver, Brian Gay. Details on page 8.

It was a great event with 3 E36 M3s entered in B/SP. Hopefully, votes, schedules, and funds will allow us to compete in the 2008 GRM UTCC.

Overview, and a brief history

I bought my 95 E36 M3 from Grassroots Motorsports Magazine. It was one of their project cars.

After reading the first two articles on the car I started to think, not only is this the type of car I'd like next but they're setting it up just the way I'd do it myself. So I took the plunge. Sold my SVT Contour that had most everything possible short of Forced Induction done to it and bought the GRM Project Car. They nicknamed it M-Perfect and the name has stuck.

The car is used for BMW Advanced Driving Schools and AutoSlalom (Solo II) racing. I've made several additions and alterations to the car since getting it. Each change has been done with the goal of increasing performance on the track, while keeping the car comfortable for occasional driving to work or on trips.

The car has the Luxury Package:
-M-Technic front spoiler with three-slat, body color air intake and no lower lip
-Less sculpted side valance panels
-M Contour II alloy wheels (sized 7.5x17-in.) BBS/Flik/Kosei. See next page.
-Eight-way power BMW sport seats in Nappa leather
-Extended leather trim including the door panels
-Extended Burl Walnut wood trim including the center console and door pulls
-Chrome inside door handles
-Front armrest
-Cruise control
-On-board computer
Not bad for a 12 year-old+ design. It still looks good. Almost all business, very few frills and no toys.

These things make it very pleasant to drive around town or on the highway while not adding so much weight that the car is too heavy for the track. I like a car that's close to or less than 3,000 pound for the track. They're just a lot more fun then something that's 3,400 lbs., or more.

There were 8,515 E36 M3 3.0L's produced, all between 02/94 and 01/96, although all were sold as 1995's. Mine is one of the last built with a production date of 11/95 and it has all factory options. Because of it's late production date it has all twelve "running updates" made during that the 3.0L E36 M3's life span.

Look through the pages and let me know what you think. I'd be interested in getting suggestions on future upgrades to consider.
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Page 1 - Overview
Page 2 - Wheels and Tires
Page 3 - Engine and Exhaust
Page 4 - Suspension and Chassis
Page 5 - Brakes
Page 6 - Drivetrain
Page 7 - Future Mods - Wish List
Page 8 - AutoSlalom (Solo II)
Page 9 - BMW Advanced Driving School
Page 10 - Interior
Page 11 - Engine Rebuild
Page 12 - Media Coverage of the car
Page 13 - Engine Failure - what else would one put on page 13