Stroes retained the factory brakes but removed the ABS system and replaced it with a Tilton adjustable proportioning valve. The brake pads are a secret recipe, but Stroes admits Earl's custom-braided single brake lines are at each corner. EVO III brake ducts were modified to accept 4-inch-diameter "desert ducts," and first-gen. "Bimmerworld" brake backing plates have been reworked to accept 4-inch hose.
Volk Racing provided forged TE-37 (ET 38) wheels measuring 17x8, which are mounted using 18mm BBS spacers. These 15.5-pound wheels affix to hubs modified with a TMS wheel stud kit. Stroes uses Kumho Ecsta V700 rubber measuring 235/40WR-17.
The body wears many EVO III components, including the rear wing, front undertray, mirrors and front grille. Stroes, however, designed his own front splitter for a fraction of what a factory unit cost.
The cabin has been rigged with a Sparco Corsa driver's seat and Sparco EVO passenger seat. The rear bench was removed and a four-point custom roll bar was fabricated and welded in place by Sean McLean. Willans six-point harnesses and a MOMO steering wheel, with a GSP quick-release hub, are also part of the package.
Stroes has meticulously documented the development of the M3 on his Web site: www.e30m3performance.com. It's perhaps the most methodical, informative and no BS assessment of a project car we've ever seen, produced by a person obsessed with building a better M3.
Judging by the purity of the end product, we'd say Stroes succeeded.
| 1988 BMW M3 |
| Engine | | |
| Engine Code: | | S14 |
| Type: | | Inline four, aluminum block, |
| | | aluminum head |
| Internal Modifications: | | EVO III crank with longer |
| | | 87mm stroke, 95mm JE |
| | | pistons, 11.35:1 compression |
| | | ration, Total Seal rings, Pauter |
| | | rods, ARP fasteners, EVO III |
| | | valve springs, Schrick cam, |
| | | Turner Motorsport cam gear |
| External Modifications: | | Larger 48mm throttle bodies, |
| | | carbon-fiber intake plenum, |
| | | Magnecor ignition wires, |
| | | Canton Mecca remote |
| | | oil cooler |
| Engine Management Mods: | | TMS/Conforti software, |
| | | MW "Big Green injectors |
| Drivetrain | | |
| Layout: | | Longitudinal front engine, |
| | | rear-wheel drive |
| Drivetrain Modifications: | | BMW Motorsport limited-slip |
| | | diff, E35 M5 driveshaft, |
| | | UUC short-shift kit |
| Suspension | | |
| Front: | | Eibach 450-lb. springs, |
| | | Koni adjustable shocks, |
| | | Ground Control front camber |
| | | plates and spherical-bearing |
| | | control arm pivots |
| Rear: | | Eibach 700-lb. springs, |
| | | Koni adjustable shocks |
| Brakes | | |
| Front: | | Earl's custom braided single |
| | | brake lines, Tilton |
| | | proportioning valve |
| Rear: | | Earl's custom braided |
| | | single brake lines |
| Exterior | | |
| Wheels: | | 17x8-in. Volk Racing TE-37, |
| | | 18mm BBS spacers, |
| | | TMS wheel stud kit |
| Tires: | | 235/40R-17 Kumho |
| | | Ecsta V700 |
| Body: | | EVO III rear wing, front |
| | | undertray, mirrors and |
| | | front grille, custom |
| | | front splitter |
| Interior | | |
| | | Sparco Corsa driver's seat |
| | | Sparco EVO passenger seat |
| | | custom four-point roll bar |
| | | Willans six-point harnesses |
| | | MOMO wheel |
| | | GSP quick-release hub |