The build

1995 BMW E34
Race Car Project

A bare-metal DTM-inspired track build by two recent graduates from Denver. S54 swap, full cage, ground-up race prep — built to race, not to show.

S54 engine swapDTM inspiredNASA GTSFull cageSupercharged — eventuallyBuilt in Denver

Hero photo coming soon

1995

BMW E34 chassis

S54

Engine swap target

May '25

Build started

Who we are

Two guys, one E34, zero compromises.

We're Sebastian and Oliver — best friends and recent graduates from East High School in Denver, Colorado. We started this build in May 2025 with one goal: turn a 1995 BMW E34 into a serious track car, built the right way, from the ground up.

The inspiration comes from DTM, NASA GTS, and old-school BMW motorsport. We're not building a show car. We're building something that gets tested at track days, refined, and eventually raced wheel-to-wheel. Every decision on this build is made with that end goal in mind.

Outside of the build, we run 5280 Auto Services — doing oil changes, detailing, diagnostics, and performance work on client cars. The money we make goes directly back into this build and into Sebastian's pursuit of automotive engineering.

Build status

Chassis strip — Full interior removed, wiring, suspension, brakes, glass, subframes, and drivetrain stripped out

Engine bay — Shaved, cleaned, and refinished

Polycarbonate windows — Custom fabricated race-spec poly windows (supported by Plasticare)

Sheet metal door cards — Custom built in-house

Chassis prep — Prepped for cage and suspension work

Roll cage — In progress

S54 engine swap — Sourcing engine from E46 M3, naturally aspirated first

Suspension — Ground Control coilover setup

Wiring, ECU, fuel system — Full race wiring and engine management

Track debut — Local track days, then wheel-to-wheel

ESS supercharger — Long-term goal once car is sorted NA

Timeline

How we got here.

May 2025

Project begins

Acquired the 1995 BMW E34. Full strip-down begins — interior, wiring, suspension, glass, drivetrain all removed.

Summer 2025

Fabrication phase

Engine bay shaved and refinished. Custom poly windows fabricated with support from Plasticare. Sheet metal door cards built in-house.

Late 2025

Capstone recognition

The build becomes our senior capstone engineering project at East High School. School provides materials and mentor support.

2026

Roll cage & engine swap

Roll cage underway. Sourcing S54 from E46 M3. Planning full wiring, ECU setup, suspension, and cooling system.

Goal

Track debut

First local track days — test, refine, and push toward wheel-to-wheel racing. Supercharger setup to follow once sorted NA.

Support & sponsors

People who've believed in the build.

Support the build

Help us get this E34 to the track.

We're two young guys building a real race car with our own hands and our own money. Every dollar goes directly into parts, materials, and getting this car on track. Here's what we still need:

S54 engine & swap parts

Roll cage materials

Ground Control suspension

Custom differential

Mishimoto oil coolers

Cooling system

Wiring & ECU

Fuel system

Racing seats & harnesses

Wheels & tires

Track-ready brakes

Track entry fees

Support us on GoFundMe

We also welcome sponsorships, discounted parts, used parts, fabrication help, and advice. Reach out — we're serious about this.

Want to follow the build, offer parts, or get involved?