1998 BMW E36 LS Swap – A Custom Build Like No Other

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1997 BMW 318is

Adam Noone

Instagram: @Ls1_Adam

Photographer/Author:  Donnie Rochin

Instagram:  @r0cean11

Facebook:  r0cean11 Photography

www.r0cean11.com

“Never give up on what makes you happy.” ~ Adam Noone

My name is Adam, and I’m from Richmond, California. I’m 36 years old and have been driving a garbage truck for a living for the past 13 years—I absolutely love my job! But outside of work, my passion lies in building cars.

My love for cars started when I was about 15 years old. My uncle and cousin had a couple of lowriders, ‘63-’64 Chevy Impalas, and from that moment, I was hooked. Working on them, learning, and attending car shows became a part of me. My first build went in a completely different direction—I just wanted to go fast. That led me through a series of Chevy Camaros from ‘96, ‘98, 2000, and 2002. I still have my ‘02 Camaro today, along with my current project, the BMW E36.

This Magnificent build is featured in our Modified BMW Magazine, available from Amazon and Etsy

Why I Chose the BMW E36

I chose the BMW E36 because it was the first car I ever learned to drive a manual in. My buddy had a ‘97 328, and we used to go to meets and take long drives. I was always amazed at how well these cars performed. I promised myself that one day I would build one my way—and three years ago, I finally made that happen.

I haven’t owned a ton of cars outside of my Camaros, and modifying the last one taught me a lot about building and performance. That knowledge helped me tackle the BMW project. My Camaro features a fully forged 6-liter engine with a 76mm turbo, built by LS Garage in Sacramento, CA. It’s built to handle 1,400 horsepower, with a full suspension, a Moser 9-inch rear end, TR6060 transmission, a six-point cage, and more. It has run 10.2 seconds at 140 mph in the quarter-mile, with the potential to go mid-9s.

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Bringing the BMW to Life

I traveled to Los Angeles to purchase my BMW E36 because the prices in the Bay Area were crazy. Once I brought it home, it sat for a while until I figured out exactly what I wanted to do with it. I knew one thing—it had to be different from anything else around. I wanted a build that would make people stop, stare, and take pictures.

Slowly but surely, the vision in my head came to life, and now I have what I consider a masterpiece. Every time I take the car out, it turns heads—whether it’s on the freeway or at a show, people always have questions, and I love answering them. This car is my escape from the daily grind, a passion project that keeps me motivated.

What Makes My Build Unique?

The first thing you notice about my E36 is the sound. That loud, choppy cam combined with the whistle of the ProCharger is unmistakable. Then you see the fully polished intake, blower, and piping, along with the massive intercooler sitting behind the front bumper. The bright red wrap immediately grabs attention, paired with massive six-piston front brakes and four-piston rears sourced from a 2007 C6 Z06 Corvette. Finally, the Airlift suspension allows me to drop it to the ground for the ultimate stance.

Build List

Engine:

• LS1 with a Texas Speed BFD cam

• 243 LS6 heads

• Holley Performance 102mm low-ram intake

• WARR 102mm throttle body

• CX Racing E36 swap kit (headers, motor mounts, transmission mounts)

• ICT Billet brackets and valley cover

• D1SC ProCharger with a ProCharger big red blow-off valve

Suspension:

• Airlift Performance 3P system

Brakes & Wheels:

• 2007 Z06 Corvette six-piston front brakes, four-piston rear brakes

• MPARS wheels from a BMW 7 Series (future plans for three-piece wheels)

Interior:

• DND Performance bucket seats

• Carbon fiber steering wheel

• MKAH Motorsports door panels

• Rear seat delete, all wrapped in suede

• 4-point roll cage (unknown manufacturer, purchased used and powder coated)

• Full suede fiberglass dash with Holley Performance 7” digital touch screen and ARC switch panel

Audio:

• JL Audio Bluetooth receiver (since there is no stereo deck)

• Focal 6.5” speakers all around

Exterior:

• Wrapped by Alex @AutoDesignPro (Pittsburg, CA)

• Carbon fiber front lip, trunk, side skirts, and rear canards

• Future addition: Carbon fiber hood and LTW low-rise wing

The Build Process

I handled most of the build myself in my garage, but I had a lot of help from great friends. Rob, the owner of @RobsPerformanceGarage in Brentwood, CA, always lent a hand and provided access to his shop, tools, and lifts. I truly appreciate the support from everyone who helped make this vision a reality.

Future Plans

I’m almost at the finish line with this build. The final touches include a new hood and custom wheels. After that, I think it’ll be complete. I don’t see myself ever selling this car, but I will definitely be building something else in the future—I just can’t stay away from the process!

Shoutouts

Big thanks to the people and groups who have supported me throughout this build:

• Rob @RobsPerformanceGarage – Always helping with my car, no matter what.

• Jeff/Jesse @PurposeBuilt – Providing the best car clothing and helping me source parts.

• Russell @oneupacrylix – Turning my crazy trunk setup and lighting ideas into reality.

• Alex @AutoDesignPro – For the flawless wrap and keeping the car looking sharp.

The Car Scene

The car scene has brought me amazing experiences and friendships. I’ve met people who I now consider family, but like any build, there have been tough moments. From late-night breakdowns to times when I wanted to give up, the struggle was real. But nothing beats that first drive in a completed build—that feeling of accomplishment is unbeatable.

Dream Car

If I could have any car, it would be an Nissan R34 GTR or an S15 Silvia—two absolute icons in the JDM world.

Conclusion

This BMW E36 has been a labor of love, a passion project that represents years of hard work and dedication. Huge thanks to Stance Auto Magazine for providing a platform for enthusiasts like me to share our stories.

I hope you enjoy my build, and if you ever see me out at a show, don’t hesitate to say hello!

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UKTM no: UK00003572459