Introducing Mission 324K – Speedhunters

German engineering paired with Japanese precision appears like a mixture 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. Once I was rising up our household owned an E34 BMW 735i which I believed was fairly cool, however I used to be too younger to essentially recognize it again then. Over time 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 12 months and a bit in the past, I used to be looking YouTube and got here throughout a man that goes by the title Alex Car Life. Alex had a BMW E36 that he’d re-powered with a Honda K20 engine (and later a K24) for monitor use. I used to be immediately in love. It simply appeared like the proper mixture – a great-looking chassis that handles effectively, paired with a high-revving, light-weight engine you can extract a number of energy from (each of Alex’s setups had been turbocharged), whereas being dependable on the similar time. Huge 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 automobile had undoubtedly seen higher days although, having been parked up outdoors for a protracted whereas after the engine seized. However all I noticed was potential, and I couldn’t cease excited about shopping for it from them and constructing my very own K24-powered BMW. Then life acquired tremendous busy, and a 12 months 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 Okay-swapped would make the venture a lot simpler than beginning fully from scratch. However there was a catch…

Which is why I not solely purchased the blue K24 automobile, 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 nasty tune. So I had each vehicles transported to Speedy Storage in Boksburg, the place Jonathan Rudman is taking care of the construct for me. You may bear in mind the Speedy Storage title from vehicles just like the Pandem-kitted BMW with a Ferrari F136 engine and the 2JZ-swapped M Coupe. Given engine swaps are one in every of Jonathan’s specialities, I do know my venture is in protected fingers.

Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the 318is, which on the floor seems like your typical unfinished venture – tough however with loads of potential.

The earlier proprietor was setting the automobile up for drifting, and as you’ll be able to see, they mounted the K24A manner again within the engine bay. The firewall was minimize out to accomodate this transfer, which in flip necessitated the automobile’s manufacturing facility transmission tunnel to be modified too. It’s an actual mess, nevertheless 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 number 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 strain regulator, and a FuelTech FT450 ECU.

Within the driveline, we’ve acquired a BMW F30 Getrag 6-speed gearbox with a button clutch that’s connected 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 automobile sits good and low due to 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 seems. Effectively, let me simply say that appears may be deceiving, and so they undoubtedly are on this case.

The BMW has by no means been concerned in any fender benders, and right here in Johannesburg vehicles simply don’t rust even once they’re left uncovered within the parts. So though the 316i’s exterior seems unhealthy, 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 number of the trim, however as I’ll be changing most of it, I’m not anxious in any respect.

So what’s the final word imaginative and prescient for Mission 324K (3 Sequence, 2.4L Okay engine), except for a being a Honda Okay-swapped BMW sedan? I actually wish to create an E36 that resembles an STW (Tremendous Tourenwagen Cup) automobile, which implies a race livery, giant wheels, a super-low experience peak, and most definitely 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 wish to be trailering the automobile in every single place although, so whereas will probably be arrange for circuit use, it wants to stay highway authorized. Fortunately for me, right here in South Africa ‘highway authorized’ is a time period used moderately loosely.

Very quickly, the engines can be pulled from each vehicles, at which period we’ll have the ability 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 venture, and on the similar time Mission LS can also be nearing completion. My Lexus LS400 is at the moment 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 automobile.

Keep tuned for updates on each builds!

Stefan Kotzé
Instagram: stefankotzemedia
[email protected]
www.stefankotzemedia.com