Have you ever ever encountered a automotive at a present that fully blows you away, making every part else really feel a bit… peculiar by comparability?
Automotive reveals are undeniably enjoyable for anybody with a deep love for vehicles, however for normal attendees like myself, they’ll typically really feel repetitive. Maybe it’s the dearth of innovation, the predictable codecs, or the usually unfinished tasks on show. With the latter, I blame social media, the place sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes content material typically overshadow the standard unveiling course of.
Regardless of doing a number of walks by way of the 2024 Oslo Motorshow again in October, it was in direction of the tip of my time on the present that one thing I had beforehand missed caught my eye. I’m so glad it did as a result of Jørgen Aune‘s 2002 BMW E46 M3 is loopy cool.
Jørgen, a 39-year-old automotive builder and proprietor of JAAS Industriservice AS/JAAS Efficiency in Surnadal, Norway, has been immersed within the modified automotive scene for over 30 years. In that point, he’s constructed a number of vehicles, together with two we’ve featured earlier than: a 900hp BMW M3 clone and a 1,000hp BMW E21 ‘Road Sweeper.’
At first look, Jørgen’s new E46 BMW M3 might seem like a comparatively peculiar construct — for those who look previous the outsized wheels and tyre setup. However as is commonly the case along with his creations, there’s way over meets the attention.
Jørgen’s signature model revolves round a clear and delicate exterior, with just a few well-chosen aftermarket touches. The true artistry at all times lies beneath the floor. We’ll delve into these particulars shortly.
His principal focus with the outside was to accommodate large 300/68/18 Michelin racing slicks underneath the rear wheel wells. To attain this, 40mm of additional physique width was added to every rear fender. On the entrance, no modification was wanted to suit the chosen Michelin 280/68/18 rubber. The wheels are three-piece Work Meister S1s: 18×10.5-inch on the entrance and 18×11-inch on the rear.
The BMW additionally sports activities a {custom} carbon fibre entrance lip, an HGK carbon roof, and an aftermarket boot lid, all contributing to its minimalist but purposeful look.
And now, for the half that made my jaw drop. Displayed on the Buldre Racing Staff sales space, the M3’s presence was unmistakable. If you recognize Buldre, you’ll perceive that these Norwegian tuning consultants are recognized for constructing insane machines able to producing ridiculous energy.
The massive Garrett intercooler hanging from the entrance is the primary clue that one thing extraordinary lies underneath the E46’s hood.
Behold, the wildest-looking BMW S62B50 engine I’ve ever laid eyes on.
What instantly caught my consideration was the engine’s uncommon structure. Jørgen has repositioned the engine 350mm rearward, primarily to accommodate a modified BMW E30 325i differential, reversed and mounted in entrance of the engine. That’s proper, this M3 places its energy down by way of all 4 wheels.
This radical setup allowed for the set up of dual Precision 6266 turbos, every with a 50mm wastegate. With the engine sitting farther again within the bay, {custom} piping was fabricated to route air by way of the intercooler earlier than it enters the combustion chambers through twin Bosch 74mm throttle our bodies.
If that’s not wild sufficient, try the {custom} air intakes routed by way of the headlights!
The engine’s internals are equally spectacular: ported heads by Tore Toppklokk with Supertech valves, Wiseco cast pistons, and ZRP cast connecting rods all work in tandem with the inventory BMW S62B50 crankshaft, guaranteeing rock-solid reliability.
The MaxxECU engine administration system was tuned in-house by Jørgen himself. The consequence? A staggering 1,250hp and 1,400Nm at 1.6bar (23.2psi) of increase.
All this energy is transmitted by way of a Tilton quad-plate clutch and {custom} flywheel right into a Samsonas 5-speed sequential gearbox, paired with a Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R switch case. The rear diff is a BMW E34 M5 unit, with Gripper LSDs that includes entrance and rear.
As soon as unibody, the M3’s chassis now revolves round a {custom} tube body. Coilover suspension – a mixture of AST (entrance) and BC Racing (rear) – enhances the dealing with and units the journey peak, whereas Ksport 8-piston and 6-piston brakes entrance and rear, respectively, make sure the automotive can cease in addition to it goes.
The entrance body extends into the cabin, the place a completely built-in 6-point roll cage and 4 extra rear attachment factors make certain the construction can stand up to all on-track punishment.
Inside, the BMW’s authentic inside is totally gone, changed with a stripped-down, race-focused setup. The firewall was custom-built to accommodate the relocated engine, and a specifically fabricated transmission tunnel was created to suit the 4-inch exhaust system.
Mounted on the tunnel are a Blink Marine keypad for controls, a QSP hydraulic handbrake with a Wilwood grasp cylinder, and a Samsonas shifter for lightning-fast gear adjustments.
The inside additionally options Atech bucket seats with 6-point harnesses, a QSP steering wheel, and an ECUmaster ADU7 sprint logger for superior knowledge monitoring.
The trunk homes two 405mm Spal cooling followers paired with an HGK 970x470x65mm dual-pass radiator. Gas is equipped by three Walbro 535 pumps, a Nuke Efficiency regulator, and a {custom} catch tank.
“The thought to construct an AWD BMW M3 got here to me as a result of I used to be uninterested in spinning the wheels with my earlier vehicles. This time, I wished one thing that would hook up,” says Jørgen. “The principle inspiration was Ken Block’s Hoonicorn Mustang. I wished one thing that would do the identical insane issues – but in addition compete within the Gatebil Excessive sequence. Above all, although, I wished to construct one thing nobody had ever executed earlier than.”
With these phrases, I can’t wait to see Jørgen in motion at subsequent 12 months’s Gatebil occasions – each competing in time assault and placing his AWD drift abilities to the check within the Breisladden (Energy Drift) competitors. What a machine!
Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa
