While the running gear was fortified with M5 components, the body and suspension received M3 hardware. A full E30 M3 suspension was swapped in and improved with Sachs coilovers. M3 front fenders add aggressiveness and 40 mm in the rear. Rieger GTS series front and rear bumpers further add to the car's visual impact. The front set-up has been opened up to ensure maximum airflow across the intercooler. Modified M3 rocker skirts, newer E36 side mirrors and smoked taillamps round out the body-tuning program.
While on the subject of tuning, the Kilander's rely on an Autronics SM2 stand alone ECU with an Autronics CDI ignition to pump out power and reliability. The SM2 can provide sequential injection for engine from two to eight cylinders. Tuning is programmed at 32 rpm-based sites and 16 load-based sites and the unit has auxiliary outputs that can be used for boost control, nitrous control and staged injection to name a few. Traction control, datalogging and launch control are also within the SM2's realm of possibility.
The brothers got the Turbonetics-boosted set-up for a street-tuned vehicle and had it shipped from Cali to the land of Swedish Fish candy. Next they yanked the motor and called on VM Performance for some engine-stand dyno tuning. The Motorsport powerplant dished out 700 bhp, but monitoring of backpressure indicated there was substantial power still on the table. So the Turbonetics hairdryer was replaced with a Holset/Schwitzer truck-to-car hybrid. DSM fans have used a Holset HX-35 off a 2002-up Dodge Cummins diesel with good results. The Kilander's wanted to keep their exact turbo set-up top secret (however, we speculate it is HX-55 based) and since Schwitzer has been acquired by Borg Warner Turbos it is difficult to get the proper information. But the bottom line is this turbo sings a siren's song indeed; and with additional laptop time, and some Swedish magic, the Autronic SM2 coaxed a jaw-dropping 875 bhp at 5000 rpm from the S38B38. Torque checked in at 932 lb-ft at 3900 rpm. The power pulls were made running 1.65 Bar (just over 24 psi) using VP CSP race fuel.
The interior of the E30 is fully streetcar in appearance with a custom aluminum center dash console housing some much needed gauges and boost control interfaces. A Cobra Monaco sport bucket, Sabelt five-point harness and a roll bar add edginess to the driving experience.
Driving this Bavarian beast is quite an experience. For kicks the Kilanders took the Bimmer out to the strip when it was in Turbonetics trim and clicked off a 10.44 at 141 mph. This impressive effort is really brought into critical focus when you consider the Mickey T drag tires were spinning for more than half the pass. With the 875 bhp set-up and some suspension tuning this could be a nine-second wolf in sheep's clothing.