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German engineering paired with Japanese precision seems like a mix made in heaven, don’t you suppose?
As soon as upon a time, I wasn’t the largest BMW or Honda fan. I’m not saying I didn’t like both model, however I actually wasn’t an avid supporter. After I was rising up our household owned an E34 BMW 735i which I assumed was fairly cool, however I used to be too younger to actually recognize it again then. Through the years I realized to respect each automakers a complete lot extra, however I nonetheless by no means owned something BMW or Honda. That’s, till just lately.
A yr and a bit in the past, I used to be searching YouTube and got here throughout a man that goes by the title Alex Automotive Life. Alex had a BMW E36 that he’d re-powered with a Honda K20 engine (and later a K24) for observe use. I used to be immediately in love. It simply appeared like the right mixture – a great-looking chassis that handles properly, paired with a high-revving, light-weight engine you could extract a variety of energy from (each of Alex’s setups have been turbocharged), whereas being dependable on the identical time. Large concepts began swirling round in my head.
As luck would have it, my parents-in-law nonetheless had the E36 316i they’d purchased model new. The automotive had undoubtedly seen higher days although, having been parked up exterior for a protracted whereas after the engine seized. However all I noticed was potential, and I couldn’t cease desirous about shopping for it from them and constructing my very own K24-powered BMW. Then life received tremendous busy, and a yr flew by with out something materializing.
The thought by no means left my thoughts although, so once I got here throughout a K24-powered Ice Blue 318is on the market regionally on Fb Market, I knew what I needed to do. Beginning with an E36 that was already Ok-swapped would make the undertaking a lot simpler than beginning fully from scratch. However there was a catch…
Which is why I not solely purchased the blue K24 automotive, however additionally my in-laws’ gray one. I’ll get to why in a second.
The 316i was clearly not operating due to its seized engine, and the 318is barely ran due to a foul tune. So I had each automobiles transported to Speedy Storage in Boksburg, the place Jonathan Rudman is taking care of the construct for me. You would possibly keep in mind the Speedy Storage title from automobiles just like the Pandem-kitted BMW with a Ferrari F136 engine and the 2JZ-swapped M Coupe. Given engine swaps are certainly one of Jonathan’s specialities, I do know my undertaking is in protected arms.
Let’s take a better take a look at the 318is, which on the floor appears like your typical unfinished undertaking – tough however with loads of potential.
The earlier proprietor was setting the automotive up for drifting, and as you’ll be able to see, they mounted the K24A approach again within the engine bay. The firewall was reduce out to accomodate this transfer, which in flip necessitated the automotive’s manufacturing facility transmission tunnel to be modified too. It’s an actual mess, nonetheless not the worst of it. I’ll present you why within the subsequent replace, however what I’ve already shared ought to provide you with an thought of why I’ve determined to not use this chassis for my construct.
On the flip facet, the 318is has a variety of components I can carry over into the 316i. The Honda engine itself incorporates a ported cylinder head with a Supertech valvetrain and reground cams. There’s additionally a customized consumption with a 90mm throttle physique, Quantum gasoline pump, Tomei gasoline stress regulator, and a FuelTech FT450 ECU.
Within the driveline, we’ve received a BMW F30 Getrag 6-speed gearbox with a button clutch that’s hooked up to the engine with a questionable ‘customized’ adapter plate (extra on this subsequent time too), plus a locked differential with a 4.4 last drive. The diff might want to go.
The automotive sits good and low because of a set of FK coilovers, however whether or not or not I can or will use these stays to be seen. That goes for lots of the opposite components too, however I’m hopeful.
You is likely to be considering why I bought the 316i chassis from my in-laws given how tough it appears. Nicely, let me simply say that appears might be deceiving, they usually undoubtedly are on this case.
The BMW has by no means been concerned in any fender benders, and right here in Johannesburg automobiles simply don’t rust even after they’re left uncovered within the parts. So though the 316i’s exterior appears dangerous, it’s primarily simply mud and dirt; the chassis remains to be in nice situation beneath.
Inside, the solar has undoubtedly taken its toll on a few of the trim, however as I’ll be changing most of it, I’m not frightened in any respect.
So what’s the final word imaginative and prescient for Undertaking 324K (3 Sequence, 2.4L Ok engine), other than a being a Honda Ok-swapped BMW sedan? I actually need to create an E36 that resembles an STW (Tremendous Tourenwagen Cup) automotive, which suggests a race livery, giant wheels, a super-low journey peak, and most probably a full roll cage. It’ll even have a high-revving naturally aspirated energy plant below hood, simply not a BMW one. I don’t need to be trailering the automotive all over the place although, so whereas will probably be arrange for circuit use, it wants to stay street authorized. Fortunately for me, right here in South Africa ‘street authorized’ is a time period used quite loosely.
Very quickly, the engines shall be pulled from each automobiles, at which period we’ll be capable to see what state the K24 is in, together with the remainder of the driveline and suspension within the donor E36.
I’m very enthusiastic about this undertaking, and on the identical time Undertaking LS can be nearing completion. My Lexus LS400 is at present at Iron Lion Customs the place it’s present process last physique work earlier than full paint, which is kind of the final a part of the puzzle for that automotive.
Keep tuned for updates on each builds!
Stefan Kotzé
Instagram: stefankotzemedia
data@stefankotze.com
www.stefankotzemedia.com
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