1995 BMW M3 - Over The Top

The next step was to construct a whole new dash that was symmetrical on both sides to enhance the flow of the mids. This portion of the installation was the most time consuming because many of the factory components had to be relocated. A steering column brace from a European M3 was obtained and installed in the passenger side of the vehicle (remember the European M3 is right-hand drive). With this in place, the bracing for the front dash was symmetrical and gave the two a good reference point to start from when building the dash.

Different types of materials including MDF, Fiberglass, Mar-Glass, Poly Primer, and paint were used to form and finish the dash (these materials were used throughout the vehicle). The gauge cluster, which normally resides in front of the steering wheel, was moved to the center of the vehicle. Behind the gauge cluster is home to two Alpine SPX 4-inch drivers for center channel. With the cluster and speakers in place, the entire venting system had to be re-fabricated. This included the defrosters heater, and A/C. Vents from a Hyundai were used because of their shape and size. This portion of the dash was covered in black leather.

Believe it or not, this vehicle is almost always driven to events. The system was designed for driving and includes a functioning HVAC system. The only time it sits on a trailer is when the vehicle has to go to the opposite coast. "This ensures that my rims stay round and not wind up square looking," chuckles Brown.

Underneath the cluster is where the radio now resides. An Alpine CDA-7990 was mounted in this location for better visibility and easy access. To ergonomically match the dash, the lights in the radio were changed to amber. Below the radio are two Alpine TME-M750A 6.5-inch monitors (one for navigation and the other for video). Beneath the monitors are the factory heater controls, which have been integrated into the dash. This piece was painted silver to match the vehicle's exterior. The dash then flows into the center console (also re-fabricated), holding the factory switches for the windows, hazard lights, and cigarette lighter behind the shifter.

Once the shape of the dash was formed, the front subwoofer was ready to go in. The low frequencies come from an Alpine SWR-1040D 10-inch Type-R subwoofer. This is the only woofer used when Brown pulls through the judging lanes. The unique aspect of the woofer is its placement; that is, in front of the vehicle just above the passenger side foot well, where the factory glove box used to be. The enclosure, measuring .5 cubic feet is supported to the vehicle from the European M3 brace. Acoustically transparent cloth with 16-gauge perforated steel mesh grill cover protects the woofer. In front of the woofer are four silver faced Auto Meter gauges that display voltage, fuel ratio, boost, and the time.