Engine swaps are not uncommon around here. We have featured many American engined European cars, but this could be the first BMW. It may not seem like the most obvious candidate, but someone took it upon themselves to see if a 300 horsepower GM ecotec would fit under the hood! Turns out it does and it looks like a lot of fun. It’s located in Ladner, British Columbia, Canada and is listed here on craigslist for $10,500.
The powertrain may have been modified, but the interior is standard BMW fare. Teutonic luxury with firm leather seats and just enough conveniences to make the car comfortable. The back seat is a little tight, but this isn’t a bad place to be. Unfortunately, the air conditioning doesn’t work – a common fatality of engine swaps.
The builder of this bimmer didn’t just drop an engine into it though. They got creative and made some nifty GMW wheel caps. The average passerby may not even notice that this car is different, but BMW guys will definitely stop and scratch their heads. Subtle additions like this are nice, but that’s not really why we are here.
There it is. That’s a turbocharged direct injected 2.0 liter ecotec engine in there! A ton of time and money went into this, but the power increase had to be worth it. This car was originally a 318is so it only had about half the power this thing does now. The engine is attached to a 5-speed and I’m sure it can light the rear tires up with ease.
Sticking with the BMW/GMC theme, the owner even cut the “is” off a 320 badge and added an “ss”. Very cool! This is one of those creations that you can appreciate without looking a little closer and realizing what it is now capable of. You can read more on the build thread here. The car does have a salvage rebuilt title, but that won’t matter once you’re out M3 hunting!
I like.
I can find nothing wrong with combining two vehicles I would never want to own.
I don’t understand swaps that leave out working a/c….you can have custom hoses made to adapt any compressor/condenser/drier to make it work with any car system.. Why leave off the finishing touches? Hmmmmm….
The A/C could be installed, and the GM compressor comes with the car. There is enough room using the stock GM bracket. It was low on my priority list, as it really isn’t needed in Ladner, as others have noted.
Grats on this build! Love it!
In B.C. You don’t need a/c, you need windshield wipers and a heater.
Maybe in Ladner :) Every year in July and August BC’s Okanagan Valley is routinely 96F – 105F. I recall in the early 60’s, my brother and I wincing at the prospect of climbing into the back seat of the car and attempting to sit on the clear plastic seat covers (with the raised embosed x pattern….only the best for my Dad) without searing the flesh off the backsides of our thighs. My Dad worked in the forestry industry and he was fastidious about preventing as much sawdust as possible from accumulating in the car and wearing down the fabric upholstery. A/C a rare item in those days. Lasting, burning memories one wouldn’t have experienced in Ladner.
In California this engine with this car would raise a stink trying to smog it.
I don’t know specifics about California emissions, but it is still running a cat and the stage 1 tune was something GM dealers offered.
I can’t say it isn’t creative, but I doubt it’s an M3 killer. Yes 300 pound-ft of torque, but with a diesel that torque doesn’t necessarily arrive real fast, even with a turbo.
I can believe the seller’s claim that it’s quick, but 4.0 to 5.4 sec 0-60 MPH quick depending on the M3 model? I doubt it. But it looks like it has great build quality.
Diesel? This isn’t a diesel.
Correct, not a diesel. Plus is lighter and has more HP and torque than an M3 of that era, in other words an E36 M3.
Not faster than a current M3 which costs 10 times as much.
You’re right! Darn marketing labels. GM made both gas and diesel Ecotec engines and I assumed this was a diesel….sowing the seeds for (my) confusion. Sorry.
There is only one question about this…….. Why? So many easier ways of getting a more powerful power plant in a BMW than this. This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever and no doubt the seller is going to find out what the market things of it……….
Please enlighten us on these easier ways to increase the power!
I assume whatever you have in mind will also better the fuel mileage and reliability while maintaining the excellent weight balance of these cars. Which is what this swap does. Which is why it makes sense, IMHO.
Might not be my cup of tea or Stout. But great looking build. I say why not ? Different strokes , different folks.
I’m usually not a fan of crossbreeding but this does make sense in terms of reliability, power and weight.
To be registered in California this car must go through double importation – first into US and then into California with a CARB approval. Then you are still liable for the biannual smog test – PIA! But you will be the only one on the block. Wonder what the reaction would be at Bimmerfest…
There’s a few BMW 3 series track/race cars running the GM 3800 V6 here in Australia. I’ve seen a couple of really well done conversions.
Clarification: Asking price is in Canadian dollars. $10000CDN = ~ $7000 USD
Car originally came from Washington state, so I’m guessing bringing it back to the States should be no problem (except for California, apparently)
Being a BMW owner, (a lowly 325CI conv) but still a BMW, I say congratulations on improving on a product that comes out of the box pretty well “improved”!!!!!!
Installion looks terrific!!! The attention to detail, minus A/C as some seem to be giving demerits for, is amazing. Point in case: having the computer chip “built” to do what the engine needed in order to run correctly!!!! Rest assured, I am suitably impressed!!! (there are ALWAYS going to be the naysayers, do like many, ignore) Why sell this “Masterpiece” instead of going sniping?!?!?
(that’s a rhetorical question, your business is just that, yours)
Thanks!
I would love to keep it, but alas, my wife refuses to drive it. She says it scares her. I now have a BMW 335d that she will actually drive.
Original CL ad expired. Here’s the new link:
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/cto/6153660765.html
Sold
Congrats!
My friend has a M3 track car. After missing a shift at Willow Springs race track and sending the tach to unexplored new levels, he spent 9K having the motor put back in together. Low mile Ecotec motor can be found all day long for $500. Ecotecs are actually a Saab design so not as crazy foreign swap as one might think.