Flashback Friday: BMW E30 Receives Supercharged F20 Motor
It isn't the most usual car/engine combo, but this lightweight ride packs one heck of a punch!
Odd Pairing
We've seen Honda S2000 drivetrains in all sorts of things lately. And why not? These little high-revving engines are a blast, and they're also highly modifiable. Obviously, die-hard BMW fans will likely scoff at the F20 powerplant in this classic E30 Bimmer, which we spotted on eBay. But it actually makes a lot of sense. For starters, it's a dead reliable, lightweight choice for an engine. And in a featherlight car like this one, we're guessing it's a riot to drive, too!
Article originally published April 10th, 2018
Highly Tuned Honda Heart
The F20 in this E30 isn't stock, either. Not by a long shot. Mounted way back behind the front axle (which obviously aids weight distribution), the first thing you'll notice is the TTRS supercharger up front. With 740cc Injector Dynamics injectors and some tuning, the seller claims it's easily capable of 450 hp. But for reliability's sake, it's currently tuned at around 365 ponies. In a car that weighs a mere 2,130 pounds, that should get the job done.
>>Join the conversation about this E30 with the boosted F20 engine right here in the S2ki Forum!
Built for a Purpose
Obviously, a little bit of work had to be done to achieve that featherweight figure. And on the inside, you'll notice that the stock interior is long gone in favor of a full race setup. Aside from bucket seats, a roll cage, and a quick-release steering wheel, you won't find much in the way of amenities. But this isn't a car built to comfort you, it's built for one reason - to go fast.
>>Join the conversation about this E30 with the boosted F20 engine right here in the S2ki Forum!
Making a List
The rest of the parts list is some pretty intriguing reading, too. There's an HRC Performance fuel system, E36 M3 Evo brakes, PMC billet mounts with fully adjustable coilovers, and two-way rear arms. Outback, you'll find a custom rear subframe with an S2000 diff casing filled with 4.10 gears.
>>Join the conversation about this E30 with the boosted F20 engine right here in the S2ki Forum!
Drive It like You Built It
To complete this E30's weight loss diet, a full M3 fiberglass body kit was fitted. Of course, this car has obviously been driven and isn't in mint condition. There are a couple of cracks and dents here and there. But this is a car built to hoon (OK, maybe race), so we would expect a few bumps and bruises. So why is the owner selling it in the first place? Apparently, it's time to move on to the next sacrilegious project - an E46 M3 with 2JZ power!
>>Join the conversation about this E30 with the boosted F20 engine right here in the S2ki Forum!