Editor's Note:
We are introducing a special segment of our Reader's Rides section dubbed "Extreme Exposure." This lead-off hitter of "Rides" will feature bigger photos, more pages and more exposure than our conventional Rides entry. To attain this high-level of exposure one must have a worthy car, clean photos (preferably slides) of the inside and outside details of the car and enough info to make it all happen. We are trying to increase the quality of Rides and this section could easily see a vehicle graduate to full feature status. The most determining factory for such an upgrade is photography. Please don't use disposable cameras. The number and quality of the entries will determine how often Extreme Exposure will appear.
1987 BMW 325IC/M3 Hybrid
Jose Ramos
Stanford Connecticut
Judging by Jose's spec sheet he is twisted. Here's a quote, "Twas a dark eerie night when Jose Ramos began building his BMW monster. Jose had dreamed a building a phat Bimmer that would prowl the town and devour unsuspecting V8s." Judging by his seductive M3 conversion he twisted in the same manner as we are. Jose strated out with a 1987 325CI and "thus began his diabolic plan to terrorize the streets of Connecticut." One of his first stops was at Don Mecca's Fiber Artz shop to acquire one of the company's trick fiberglass M3 conversion kits. Impressed with the fit and strength of the pieces he returned to his lair at JC Auto Body and installed the kit. "The monster began to take form, but now it was time for a heart." Jose upgraded the engine with a 1996 M3 powerplant. The block was overbored and stuffed with JE pistons and the head was ported and polished. These mods lowered compression to 8.5:1 and Jose knew what that meant, boost! A Turbonetics T3/T4 hybrid turbo was employed to pressurize the M3 engine. A custom manifold fabricated by APZ Auto in Port Chester, New York (914) 935-3272 positions the turbo right behind the headlamp. A Deltagate regulates boost and an air-to-air intercooler from a Buick Grand National chills the charge. The rest of the driveline is also M3 spec so it can handle the power. The BMW runs 17-inch Konig GTR wheels, Suspension Techniques coilovers and bars and low-profile performance rubber. The interior was wrapped in black leather with yellow piping and the gauge cluster has been enhanced with Auto Meter readouts.
Once on the road, the V8s were removed from the top of the food chain as Jose made quick work of the Stanford population. Future plans call for the addition of an Electromotive TEC-II engine management system and an increase from the current nine psi. You go Jose.
Alexis Bove, Allentown Pennsylvania
'98 Plymouth Neon
Alexis has enhanced the performance of her Neaon's 2.0-liter DOHC engine with the addition of a Remus exhaust system, an Iceman intake with K&N element and Magnecor plug wires. For looks, the Neon sports clear taillights and corner lenses, Eibach Pro Kit lowering coils and 16-inch TSW Imola alloys encircled by Nitto rubber. Other additions include Razo pedals and JVC head unit, white bulbs and the correct attitude.