[GSR Technik]

We have all been there at some point, continuously modding street cars until they inevitably mutate into something all together different. This thread follows one Man’s journey at GSR Autosport.

It all began with a love for BMW’s many years ago. DC owned several over the years and did the usual mods we all assume are standard fair: stylish wheels, sport suspension, exhaust, etc. Just as he declared his love for the E46 M3 something unexpected happened. DC found the girl of his dreams and sold the car to buy a blinging ring to put on her finger… Ouch!

A year or two had passed and he was starting to pine for another sports car wanting to try his hand at track day events. But what to buy?

DC had to “Keep it Kraut” (German) and had his eye on a Porsche 997.2 GT3, so he pulled the trigger and did not look back. After a his first couple of track days he realized that the rear weight biased GT3 was an altogether different animal with very unique driving dynamics which would require a gradual build up in skill to get the most out of it. He enjoyed it but he also had a few “memorable moments” in the GT3 which made him question the wisdom of thrashing on it!

Hooked on track days, and wanting to develop his racecraft further, he realized that the Porsche might not be the most logical or practical choice. The team at GSR suggested that he “come full circle” and run an E46 M3 as a purpose built racecar. The idea took root and DC went to work. He quickly found a pristine example of a high mile E46 M3 with SMG. Shortly thereafter it arrived at GSR Autosport!

-So the story begins-

With the clean donor M3 in front of him, Josh (BMW Guru) was licking his chops as this would be an all out build with no shortcuts or compromises. The last time he had this type of latitude was when he built Rhys Millen’s Pikes Peak Hyundai Genesis (2012 Unlimited Class Champions).





"Adding power makes you faster on the straights, while subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." -Colin Chapman- Founder of Lotus

Step one remove excess weight... seats, carpet and interior!

[M3ANMACHINE]

Glad you guys are finally a forum sponsor! I've seen this car in person and it's a BEAST! Looking forward to more pics being posted.

[GSR Technik]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Glad you guys are finally a forum sponsor! I've seen this car in person and it's a BEAST! Looking forward to more pics being posted.

Thanks M3ANMACHINE!

[GSR Technik]

Airbags wont be needed where we are going!



The rear shock towers are heavily reinforced for the 1.75" x.095 Wall DOM Cage which our mastermind fabricator (Mike) has dreamed up! It includes stress relief bench built sections and hammer formed plate work. Mike shows off his highly skilled craftsmanship. The pictures don't do the final product justice. His mandrel is a re-purposed diesel piston...

[GSR Technik]

GSR Autosport - Custom E46 M3 Racecar Roll Cage: Tig Welded 1.75" DOM x .095, Triangulated and Gusseted Design with Reinforced A, B, and C Pillar Mount/Turrets with Foot Well Intrusion Bars. The Cage was fitted and welded without removing the rare non-sunroof roof panel.

[ApexWheels]

Man, I dint realize how clean the car was before you guys ripped into it.

I encourage anyone in the Orange County area to stop by GSR Autosport. At any given time you are guaranteed to be greeted by knowledgeable staff, hoarding a collection of well built machinery. If your not local to the shop, you will likely catch them out at Buttonwillow, SOW, Chuckwalla etc. putting these cars to use.

I look forward to seeing more updates. I know this beast looks very different than that last photo you posted

-Ryan

[1MOREMOD]

looking good.