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The M2002 started out as a 1976 BMW 2002. Shortly after we acquired the car, its engine became a free agent and left for greener pastures, requiring major engine surgery. We opted to transplant an E30 M3 engine into the car, rather than rebuild the original engine. The evolution of the M2002 involved upgrades to the engine, suspension, and brakes, and the M2002 is really a chimera of different vintage parts. In tracking down all the parts required for this conversion, I received a number of requests to write this conversion up to centralize a lot of arcane knowledge obtained after countless discussions. I hope recounting this tale will supply other '02 owners with the motivation to try something similar, or at least provide a vicarious thrill.
Our engine travails began at a Driver's School when the car began missing, and I discovered that the #4 spark plug was closed. Not thinking much of it, I gapped the plug and finished the School. However, when I later pulled the head I discovered that the top of the #4 piston was mashed, and the rim of the #4 combustion chamber was similarly marred. This would have been bad enough, but the #4 cylinder was also scored, and we were looking at a rebuild. My wallet immediately began to feel lighter in anticipation of the work ahead. It was then that I began to remember Peter McHenry's (Precision Performance, Winston-Salem NC) immaculate tii, into which he had dropped an E30 M3 engine, and the idea crept into my octane-befuddled mind that maybe we should also go that route. After all, this would be a modern, fuel efficient, emissions legal engine for our old-world 2002. While not inexpensive, a used M3 engine is a viable option when you compare the 200 hp of a stock M3 engine to a comparable '02 motor: To get a 200 hp 2002 engine is a "Stage III" application, and costs more than the entire M3 engine installation. However, unless you can afford a new M3 engine, you are buying a used performance engine, which could have been abused in its previous life. So buy from someone you trust. Pete McHenry is friendly, extremely knowledgeable about BMW engine swaps, and has a sterling reputation. So when the carborated engine in our '02 went south, I called Pete.
Okay enough techno-babble you say, I don't want to do the install, but tell me about the revenge of my brethren 2002 at the Driver's School! How does this beast drive? The answer is, fantastic! The previous engine was 165 hp, bored out, had a 304 cam and dual Weber 40DCOE's. As expected, the engine had a distinct lope at idle, and made power primarily over 4500 rpm. It was a fun engine, but had serious troubles passing emissions. The new engine has a reasonably smooth idle compared to the old engine, but it is a motorsport engine, and you won't confuse it with Mom's Toyota corolla. The most noticeable difference is the wider power band of the fuel injected engine, and the ease of starting. It is a joy to drive a 2002 that starts first time, every time!
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Driving was a blast. At Drivers' Schools people are perplexed when they can't outrun the little blue '02, and the M2002 offers the opportunity to exact revenge on all the "big bully" M3's. While a well setup 2002 can usually keep up with an E30 M3 through the turns, it is usually out-horsepowered on the straights. However, the combination of the lighter 2002 body and the M3 horsepower, the M2002 can outrun many M3's on the straights. One time, I was able to watch a corner worker observe us as the M2002 came out of a turn followed closely by an M3. The usual scenario is to give the '02 the passing flag; I could see the corner worker hold the flag in two hands, getting ready to unfurl it, and just about then notice that the M3 was falling behind, and they'd stop in mid-furl, so to speak. One of my most treasured memories was watching an M3 recede in my review mirror, instead of getting larger at warp speed, as they usually do. Of course, for the E36 M3's all bets are off: a quick point out the window, and watch their tail lights disappear around the corner!
The M2002 is also a marvelous daily driver, with the all spirit (non-2002 drivers would call these quirks) beloved of the older 2002, married to the dependability and emissions of a modern motronic-controlled engine. And it is a real wolf in sheep's clothing at the track. A special thanks to all of you on the internet who have answered my sometimes obvious, sometimes obscure, but always desperate questions over the past months. The job would have been much tougher without your collective wisdom and support! Happy motoring, and keep those 2002's on the road!
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