Adam Noone - 1997 BMW 318is

Adam Noone - 1997 BMW 318is

IG: @Ls1_Adam

“Never give up on what makes you happy.”

Some builds start with money.
Some start with hype.

Adam Noone’s started with long shifts, dirty boots, and late nights in the garage.

And honestly?

That’s what makes it special.


From Garbage Routes to Garage Nights

Adam is 36 years old, born and raised in Richmond, California, and for the last 13 years he’s worked a job most people wouldn’t glamorize — driving a garbage truck.

And he’ll tell you straight up:

“I absolutely love my job.”

There’s something honest about that.

Hard work. Early mornings. Real life.

Then clock out… and go build something wild.

Because for Adam, cars aren’t just a hobby.

They’re therapy.

They’re escape.

They’re peace.


Lowriders Started It All

Like many West Coast kids, it started with family.

At 15 years old, Adam was in the garage with his uncle and cousin working on ’63–’64 Chevy Impalas — real-deal lowriders.

Cleaning chrome. Turning wrenches. Hitting shows.

That culture hooked him fast.

But when it came time to build his own car?

He swerved in the opposite direction.

Instead of low and cruising…

He wanted fast.

Really fast.


Speed First: The Camaro Years

Adam ran through multiple Camaros — ’96, ’98, 2000, 2002 — learning everything the hard way.

Breaking things. Fixing things. Rebuilding better.

His current Camaro is no joke:

  • Fully forged 6.0L
  • 76mm turbo
  • Built by LS Garage (Sacramento)
  • Moser 9”
  • TR6060
  • Full suspension
  • 6-point cage
  • 10.2 @ 140mph
  • Mid-9s potential

That’s not a street toy.

That’s serious drag car territory.

But somewhere along the way, Adam wanted something different.

Not just fast.

Not just loud.

Something with style.

Something personal.


Why a BMW?

The answer’s simple — and kind of perfect.

“It was the first car I learned to drive stick in.”

His buddy had a ’97 328.

They’d hit meets. Go on drives. Just cruise.

And Adam never forgot how those cars felt.

Balanced. Nimble. Fun.

So three years ago, he drove down to Los Angeles, found one at the right price, and brought it home.

Then let it sit.

Because he didn’t want just another build.

He wanted a vision.


The Vision: Different From Everything

Adam knew one thing from the start:

It couldn’t look like every other E36.

It had to:

  • turn heads
  • make noise
  • make people stop
  • make phones come out

And most importantly…

It had to make him happy.

Slowly, piece by piece, the garage nights stacked up.

Friends came through.

Parts piled up.

And what started as a simple BMW became completely unrecognizable.


The First Thing You Notice? The Sound.

Before you even see it…

You hear it.

A brutally choppy cam.
That unmistakable ProCharger whistle.
Raw, angry, mechanical violence.

Then the car rolls into view:

  • fully polished blower
  • polished piping
  • massive intercooler
  • bright red wrap
  • Z06 brakes
  • slammed on air

It doesn’t whisper.

It announces itself.


Built, Not Bought

What makes Adam’s build hit harder isn’t the parts list.

It’s how it was built.

Not a big shop.

Not a blank check.

Just:

  • a home garage
  • late nights
  • busted knuckles
  • friends who show up
  • and Rob at @RobsPerformanceGarage always lending tools and lift time

That’s real car culture.

Community.

Helping each other finish.


Build Specs — LS E36

Engine / Drivetrain

  • LS1 swap
  • Texas Speed BFD cam
  • 243 LS6 heads
  • Holley 102mm low ram intake
  • WARR 102mm throttle body
  • CX Racing swap kit (headers/mounts)
  • ICT Billet accessories
  • D1SC ProCharger
  • Big Red blow-off valve

Suspension

  • Airlift Performance 3P

Brakes

  • 2007 C6 Z06 Corvette brakes
  • 6 piston front / 4 piston rear

Wheels

  • BMW MPars (temporary)
  • 3-piece wheels coming soon

Interior

  • DND bucket seats
  • Carbon fiber steering wheel
  • MKAH Motorsports suede door panels
  • Rear seat delete
  • 4-point cage
  • Suede fiberglass dash
  • Holley 7” digital screen
  • ARC switch panel

Audio

  • JL Bluetooth receiver
  • Focal 6.5” speakers

Exterior

  • Wrap by @AutoDesignPro
  • Carbon lip
  • carbon skirts
  • trunk
  • canards
  • LTW wing
  • slammed stance

What It Means to Him

Adam doesn’t talk trophies.

He talks moments.

“Every time I park it, I look back and think… damn, I built that.”

That pride?

You can’t fake it.

It’s earned.

Through:

  • breakdowns
  • late nights
  • wanting to quit
  • pushing through anyway

Because sometimes building a car isn’t about the car at all.

It’s about keeping yourself sane.


Community Over Everything

Shoutouts to:

  • @RobsPerformanceGarage
  • @PurposeBuilt
  • @oneupacrylix
  • @Autodesignpro

The people who show up when things break.

Because every builder knows:

Cars don’t get finished alone.


The Future

Plans are simple:

  • hood
  • custom 3-piece wheels
  • maybe call it “done”

But Adam laughs at that.

Because builders like him?

Never stop building.


Final Thoughts

Adam’s BMW isn’t the most expensive build at a show.

But it might be one of the most honest.

Built after work.
Built with friends.
Built for peace of mind.

And that’s exactly what car culture is supposed to be.


Dream Cars

R34 Skyline
S15 Silvia

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