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Featured ride: Clex’s extreme makeover, an S50-powered 318ti

Wednesday, 05. 13. 2009  –  Category: Features, Main

Chris Lee, Clex on various boards around the BMW scene, has owned this extremely well-engineered 330ti for several years now. While BMW AG never actually produced this vehicle, preferring to focus the ti platform on the more fuel economical M42/44 block, Chris’ car gives us a glimpse of what could have been had the boys in Munich shown some imagination. A few weeks ago we spent some time with Chris checking out his car, which was originally built by the guys at Rogue Engineering in New Jersey (a shop known for their killer BMW conversions), and talking cars and BMWs in general.

As is readily apparent from the customized plate, this Hellrot RWD hatchback is now powered by a potent S50 3-liter, further massaged with Schrick cams, a custom Rogue exhaust, and various other performance-oriented goodies.  Even better, the car was officially passed by a CA smog referee, is fully compliant with current regulations, and continues to pass the sniff test! On the non-engine front, Chris has gone absolutely ballistic in his quest for perfection and completion…  the almost limitless lengths to which he has gone to maintain a factory-original look and feel are simply mindblowing. Yes, a tilt wheel feature has been grafted in, using all BMW OEM parts, and yes, it connects you firmly to an M3 quick ratio steering rack. Most certainly, it does indeed have headlight washers, which keep the on-the-fly adjustable headlights clean. The rear bumper has integrated parking sensors (remember, this is a 318ti!). Ultra-rare BMW Motorsport door pulls, factory rear sunshade, and a bevy of other mods round out a tuning program make this one complete car. At this point, Chris admits, the car has been taken to such a refined state that there’s very little left to do!

The 330ti shares garage space with a variety of other toys, including a vintage 911S, another 318ti which serves as a daily driver, and a Hyundai minivan which hauls the family around. As a result the 330ti only sees occasional action, but you can be sure it gets its legs stretched whenever it’s taken out for a spin.  Chris was gracious enough to let me take the helm for a drive around the Walnut Creek, CA area, and I can definitely confirm that this is a very smooth setup. Granted, we were on public roads and highways, so we kept things under control, but it was obvious rather quickly that there is plenty of torque on tap to give you a solid kick in the rear, and legs long enough to make 100MPH come up far more quickly than one should rightfully expect from BMW’s RWD hatchback. At no point did the engine run out of breath during our exercise, with a nice, wide sweet spot in the powerband from around 3500rpm up to the redline at 7500rpm. Despite the relatively radical approach to the baby-bimmer, the car maintains a high level of civility.The exhaust note from the Rogue pipes makes itself known when you get on the gas, which is a beautiful rumble, yet it doesn’t intrude at cruising speed. In addition, the car seems geared well, with a custom LSD distributing power to the wheels at a 3.46 ratio. This choice once again provides a nice balance between all-out power and driving manners which make long haul trips manageable.  With an all OEM suspension (sourced primarily from the M3), the ride is communicative and crisp, but not jarring; once again, a great blend of purpose and civility.

Chris has had the pleasure of taking his toy to various track days since he bought the car approximately 5 years ago. Buttonwillow seems to be the track of choice, although he’s also done the rounds at Thunderhill, Laguna Seca and Lime Rock Park, amongst others. Unfortunately he doesn’t get to play as much as he used to in the past — a growing family and medical practice definitely take a front seat. It was easy to see why Chris chooses to keep this car in his stable, however, regardless of how frequently he takes it out for a ride… It’s just too much fun!

Engine Modifications

S50US B30 3.0L M3 Motor
Conforti Software
Conforti Euro HFM Cold Air Intake
Custom Ram Air Tube
Fan Delete
Rogue Power Pulleys
96 M3 JetHot Coated Manifolds
Custom Rogue Engineering DMS Exhaust
Carbon Fiber Valve and Fuel Rail Covers
Samco Slilcone Intake Boot
Schrick Cams 256°/264°
24 lb. Fuel Injectors
(239 rwhp / ~285 hp)

Wheel/Brake Modifications

BMW Forged M3 Wheels (Style 24)
Bridgestone S03s
Stud conversion with alloy nuts
Brembo 12.6″ Front Big Brake Kit
Cross Drilled Rear Brake Rotors
Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Solid Rear Caliper Guide Pin Bushings
Hawk HPS Pads

Suspension Modifications

BMW Motorsport Front Strut Brace
Z8 Strut Tower Caps
BMW X-Brace
E30 M3 Aluminum Control Arms
E36 M3 Front Camber Mounts
E36 M3 front strut coilovers
Rogue Engineering RSM
E36 M Coupe Rear Shocks/Springs
E36 M Coupe Swaybars
Adjustable Front Sway Bar Link
1995 M3 Quick Ratio Steering Rack

Drivetrain Modifications

E36 M3 5-speed Transmission
Rogue Engineering Short Shift Kit
Rogue Engineering Weighted Selector Rod
Rogue Engineering LTW Flywheel
Rogue Engineering Carbon/Kevlar Sprung Hub Clutch
Rogue Engineering Adjustable Transmission Mounts
Royal Purple Syncromax Fluid
Stainless Steel Clutch Line
E24 M6 3.46 LSD w/E30 Half Shafts
M Coupe Finned Diff Cover

Exterior Modifications

E36 M3 mesh grill
ACS 3-piece wing
ZKW Euro Ellipsoid headlights w/ Lamin-x
Yellow French ZKW Fog Lights w/Lamin-x
Euro Headlight aim control
Euro Factory Headlight Washers
Driver/Pass Aspherically Bent Mirror Glass
Rear Fog Light w/functional factory indicator
4100k HID low beams
BMW Factory Park Distance Control
VIS Painted Carbon Fiber Hood
97+ Carbon Fiber Grill Surrounds
Carbon Fiber B-Pillars
Custom Hood Struts for CF hood
M3 LTW/GT Door Badges
M3 LTW/GT Splitters
BMW Motorsport Exterior Door Handles
Solaris silver signal bulbs
JTD Aluminum Front Under Panel
Custom Widened Rear Diffuser

Interior Modifications

Carbon Fiber Illuminated Shift Knob
Carbon Fiber Handbrake
Carbon Fiber Inner Door Mirror Panels
Carbon Fiber center console
Carbon Fiber door pulls
Carbon Fiber Latch Surrounds
Euro e36 Gauge Cluster w/ oil Temp
Custom Carbon Fiber VDO Gauge Panel
BMW/Harman Kardon rare “Factory” Traffic Pro Navigation Head Unit
Alpine CHA-S634 6-disc CD/MP3  Changer
Kenwood wOOx KSC-WA62RC Powered Subwoofer
BMW Z8 Engine Start Button
Dyna-Batt 13.5 lb. Battery
M3 GT custom rewrap/stitched 3-spoke leather steering wheel
BMW Motorsport LTW Seatbelts
M3 Chrome Bezel Instrument Cluster Custom “Factory Look” Shift Light
On-Board Computer retrofit
LED Interior lights
LED Footwell Lights
Central Door Lock Switch Retrofit
Brake Light Kill Switch
Factory Engine Compartment Light
European Wiper Module
Tilt Steering retrofit
Audible Oil Pressure Alert
M3 LTW/GT Carbon Fiber Door Sills
BMW Rechargeable Flashlight in Trunk
(with trickle charge circuit)
Rear Head Rest Retrofit
E46 Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror
BMW Factory Fire Extinguisher
BMW Factory Rear Sun Shade
Spare tire removed

Tags: 318ti, BMW, BMW Motorsport, engine, engine swap, Exhaust, M3, S50, Suspension, tuning, wheels