E30 M3 Dreams and Cars We've Missed
About this episode
The hosts dive into nostalgic car talk, focusing heavily on the BMW E30 M3 and the allure of engine swaps, especially the S54 swap. They share personal stories about their youth, memorable cars, and the challenges of modifying classic BMWs. The discussion covers technical details about the S14 engine, swap costs, and the appeal of different M3 models. Alongside this, they touch on the culture of finding and appreciating overlooked cars, the excitement of upcoming events, and tease a future episode about the classic film American Graffiti.
This week, Alex talks with Beck and Zac about a formative pair of BMWs in Zac's neighborhood growing up; a snowballed BMW project threatening to be come a full avalanche; a very quick turnaround; a curious Bay Area car-buying ploy; Alex's odd but steadfast list of cheap childhood cars he'd buy if only he could find them; (misplaced?) nostalgia for late-1980s Ford performance cars and keyless entry code buttons; and attainable transaxle Porsches.
The team goes on to describe a brief history of the Toyota celebrity support race at the Long Beach Grand Prix; impressive feats from a 190E 2.3 16-valve; Gene Hackman's side gig; Tommy Kendall, an all-around decent guy; a good color change; an interesting museum collection sale; and current watchlist favorites punctuated with Porsche whale-tale nerdiness and shame.
Mentioned in this episode:
6:25 Pristine 69k-Mile 1990 BMW M3
15:16 4,700-Mile 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
15:52 19k-Mile 1989 Ford Taurus SHO
17:42 37k-Mile 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde
17:56 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde
21:24 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sport Coupes on BaT
24:11 2000-2006 Toyota Celicas on BaT
30:57 Mini R53 Cooper S Model Page
36:27 IMSA, NASCAR, RX-7s, and Land Yachts with Tommy Kendall
37:34 49k-Mile 1992 Ford Taurus SHO
38:20 Original-Owner 1979 BMW M1
38:43 Ex–Stu Hayner 1989 Chevrolet Corvette Challenge Race Car
38:54 The Gilmore Car Museum Collection, Offered at No Reserve
39:17 Gilmore_Cars user page
40:13 1993 Geo Tracker LSi 4×4 5-Speed w/Camso Track System
40:55 1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL Fastback R-Code 427 4-Speed
41:21 Euro 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB
42:01 2023 Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster
43:38 1968 Mazda Cosmo Series II
43:42 1990 Lamborghini LM002 LM/American
45:23 RoW 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI Coupe
46:58 Whale Tales: A Visual Guide to the Evolution of Porsche 911 Spoilers
47:26 Dual-Quad 350–Powered 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop Coupe
47:37 MSCLASSICCARSLLC user page
47:46 Bill Goldberg’s Twin-Plug 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo
49:55 RoW 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Coupe
51:26 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera
Got suggestions for our next guest from the BaT community, One Year Garage episode, or (B)aT the Movies subject? Let us know in the comments below!
S54 engine
"I mean, do you want to talk about S54 swaps? I thought that was an interesting topic. ... So to recap, I have always wanted an S54 and an E30."
The S54 engine is a type of powerful motor made by BMW. People like to put it in older BMW cars to make them faster and better to drive.
The S54 is a high-revving inline-six engine produced by BMW, famously used in the E46 M3. It is known for its strong performance and responsiveness, making it a popular swap choice for older BMW models like the E30 M3 to improve power and reliability.
BMW E30M3
"Well, I actually didn't know you wanted a six-cylinder swap that car. This is in the E30M3. ... I've also always wanted an E30M3 ever since I was a little kid. My neighbor had one."
The BMW E30 M3 is a special sporty car made by BMW a long time ago. People love it because it drives really well and looks cool. It's a classic car many fans want to own.
The BMW E30 M3 is a high-performance version of the 3 Series produced by BMW in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is renowned for its motorsport heritage, sharp handling, and iconic boxy design, making it a highly sought-after classic sports car.
S14 engine
"I thought that was the point too. And it's so good. Because I'm not an S14 fan, but your motor is good."
The S14 engine is the original motor in the E30 M3. It's a special engine that can rev high and was made for racing, but some people prefer newer engines instead.
The S14 engine is a four-cylinder motor developed by BMW specifically for the E30 M3. It is known for its high-revving nature and motorsport pedigree but is less favored by some enthusiasts compared to later six-cylinder engines like the S54.
BMW CCA
"But I'll still say, my neighbor had a red, black E30M3. And his dad was like a BMW CCA instructor."
BMW CCA is a club for people who like BMW cars. They do events and help members learn about their cars.
BMW CCA stands for BMW Car Club of America, an enthusiast organization focused on BMW ownership, driving events, and education.
AC Schnitzer
"He d-badged the BMW badges. In hindsight, this is horrible. I'd put AC schnitzer badges over the BMW ones."
AC Schnitzer is a company that makes BMW cars look cooler and perform better by adding special parts.
AC Schnitzer is a German tuning company specializing in aftermarket performance parts and styling upgrades for BMW and MINI vehicles.
engine swap
"And also you have more S14 equity because you do the swap and you sell the S14. Right. So that's been in the back of my mind. ... They're sort of the experts in the S54 swapping world. They at least have the most notoriety and they have their own proprietary swap kits"
An engine swap means taking out the car's old engine and putting in a new or different one to make it better or faster.
An engine swap is the process of replacing a car's original engine with a different one, often to improve performance or reliability.
Castro Motorsports
"We've had a couple cars come through from Castro Motorsports in SoCal. They're sort of the experts in the S54 swapping world. They at least have the most notoriety and they have their own proprietary swap kits"
Castro Motorsports is a company that helps put newer BMW engines into older BMW cars to make them faster and better.
Castro Motorsports is a specialty company based in Southern California known for expertise in BMW engine swaps, particularly S54 swaps into older BMW chassis.
carbon air box
"I'm just going to make the S14 as good as I can and do a carbon air box and a standalone ECU and make that 25 just rip."
A carbon air box is a part that helps bring air into the engine. It’s made from a strong but light material called carbon fiber, which can help the car perform better.
A carbon air box is a lightweight, often performance-oriented air intake housing made from carbon fiber. It helps improve airflow to the engine and reduces weight compared to standard plastic or metal air boxes.
standalone ECU
"I'm just going to make the S14 as good as I can and do a carbon air box and a standalone ECU and make that 25 just rip."
A standalone ECU is a special computer that controls how the engine works. It can be adjusted to make the car run better or faster.
A standalone ECU (Engine Control Unit) is an independent engine management system that replaces the factory ECU. It allows for custom tuning and better control of engine parameters, which can improve performance and drivability.
flywheel
"I actually had the Evo flywheel just laying in my garage. I didn't even realize I had almost like threw it away. I was like, just get this junk out of here."
A flywheel is a heavy part inside the car’s engine that helps keep the engine running smoothly. Some special flywheels are lighter to help the car feel quicker when you press the gas.
A flywheel is a mechanical device attached to the engine's crankshaft that helps smooth out engine pulses and maintain rotational inertia. Performance flywheels can reduce weight to improve throttle response and engine revving.
Autocross
""I've ridden in one in anger during Autocross, back when you used to just sort of like wait at the entrance.""
Autocross is a type of car race where drivers drive through a course made with cones as fast as they can, showing how well they can handle the car.
Autocross is a timed motorsport event where drivers navigate a course marked by cones, focusing on handling and driver skill rather than outright speed. It is popular for testing and enjoying cars in a controlled environment.
Laguna Seca
"And so I was like, let me run you down the hill here at Laguna Seca. And it was me, him, and Roland in the car."
Laguna Seca is a well-known race track in California where people drive fast cars and race. It has tricky turns that make it exciting to drive on.
Laguna Seca is a famous race track in California known for its challenging turns and elevation changes, including the iconic 'Corkscrew' corner. It is a popular venue for car enthusiasts and professional racing.
twin cam head
"But it's an M10 block, right? Just with a twin cam head."
A twin cam head means the engine has two parts that open and close the valves to let air in and out. This helps the engine work better and faster.
A twin cam head refers to an engine cylinder head design with two camshafts, one for the intake valves and one for the exhaust valves. This setup allows better valve timing and higher engine performance.
BMW 2002 TII
"Well, so I had a 2002 TII with an M10 block and very commonly people swap out bottom end internals."
The BMW 2002 TII is an older sporty car with a special engine block called the M10. People like to change parts of its engine to make it faster or better.
The BMW 2002 TII is a high-performance variant of the classic 2002 series, featuring an M10 engine block. It is a popular car among enthusiasts for engine swaps and modifications.
M10 engine block
"Well, so I had a 2002 TII with an M10 block and very commonly people swap out bottom end internals."
The M10 engine block is the main part of the engine in some older BMW cars. People like to change or upgrade parts inside it to improve performance.
The M10 is a BMW inline-four engine block used in older models like the 2002 series. It is popular for engine swaps and modifications due to its robust design.
BMW S14 engine
"People put the S14 head on M10 blocks, don't they? Not really worth it. You can, but it's much, I think there's a lot of modifications you have to do to make that work."
The BMW S14 engine is a special, powerful engine used in the E30 M3 car. It has two camshafts which help it run better and faster.
The BMW S14 is a high-performance four-cylinder engine used in the E30 M3. It features a twin-cam head and is known for its racing pedigree.
starter
"Or additionally, what I did and a lot of people do is the E30M3 starter on an M10. It just helps it kick over faster."
The starter is a part that helps the car's engine start by turning it around quickly.
A starter is an electric motor that turns the engine over to start it. Upgrading to a stronger starter can improve engine cranking speed.
iron block
"I mean, I presume an S14 is an aluminum block, right? No, you're both right. It's an M10 block with a shortened S38 head. Yeah, it's an iron block. Okay, even an S14 is an iron block still. Interesting."
An iron block means the main part of the engine is made from a strong, heavy metal called iron, which lasts a long time.
An iron block refers to an engine block made of cast iron, which is durable but heavier compared to aluminum blocks.
K-swap
"K-swaps have more of a lower dollar connotation to them. You could do one in just a regular, like a 325 or 318 or something, but you don't get all the flares and cool stuff."
A K-swap means putting a Honda K-series engine into a different car to make it faster and more fun to drive. These engines are popular because they can go fast and have many parts available.
A K-swap is an engine swap where the original engine is replaced with a Honda K-series engine, known for its high-revving nature and strong aftermarket support. This swap is popular for increasing performance and reliability in various cars.
Porsche 997 GT3
"But there's a couple out there, man. There's a K-swapped 997 GT3 out there on the forest."
The Porsche 997 GT3 is a fast and sporty version of the Porsche 911 made for racing and fun driving. It has a strong engine and special parts to help it go around corners better.
The Porsche 997 GT3 is a high-performance track-focused variant of the 911 from the 997 generation. It features a naturally aspirated engine, lightweight components, and enhanced suspension for superior handling.
turbo
"And it's making, I think, over 400 horsepower. With a turbo. Probably."
A turbo is a part that helps a car's engine make more power by pushing extra air into it. This makes the car faster.
A turbocharger is a forced induction device that increases an engine's power output by forcing more air into the combustion chamber. This allows for more fuel to be burned and more power to be produced.
SMG transmission
"Like a beater. SMG. Have you enjoyed SMG? Right, a beater."
SMG is a type of transmission that changes gears automatically but lets you feel like you're driving a manual car. It can be tricky to use and sometimes needs expensive repairs.
SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) is an automated manual transmission used in some BMW M3 models, including the E46. It allows for manual gear changes without a clutch pedal but has a reputation for being less smooth and requiring costly maintenance.
Toyota Corolla
"...d them out and like taping. Yeah, our old Toyota Corolla used to get them all the time when we was street ..."
Acura Integra
"On the Integra? Not on the Integra."
The Acura Integra is a small sporty car that many people like because it drives well and is fun to own.
The Acura Integra is a compact sports car produced by Acura, known for its sporty handling and popularity among enthusiasts, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Toyota Supra
"On the Supra? And then-"
The Toyota Supra is a fast and sporty car that many people like because it can go really fast and can be customized easily.
The Toyota Supra is a famous Japanese sports car known for its powerful engines and strong aftermarket support, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts and tuners.
Volkswagen Jetta
"The other hilarious one I got on was obviously Julius Beter Jetta with the smashed windshield and then it up had the same note like Xeroxed and everything."
The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that many people use for everyday driving because it's comfortable and easy to drive.
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan known for its European styling and practical design. It has been popular worldwide and has multiple generations with varying performance and features.
Honda Civic Si
"My dad used to get them on his terrible Super High Mileage 2000 Civic SI. They got a 450,000 mile SI with its original clutch, so good luck to them."
The Honda Civic Si is a special version of the regular Civic that is made to be more fun to drive. The 2000 model is well-liked because it is reliable and can be made faster with some upgrades.
The Honda Civic Si is a sportier trim of the Honda Civic known for its performance-oriented features. The 2000 model is part of the sixth generation of Civics and is popular among enthusiasts for its reliability and tuning potential.
original clutch
"They got a 450,000 mile SI with its original clutch, so good luck to them."
The original clutch is the part that helps the car change gears, and it’s the same one that came with the car when it was new, which is rare for a car with many miles.
The original clutch refers to the clutch system that was installed in the car when it was first manufactured. Having the original clutch at very high mileage is unusual and indicates the clutch has lasted an exceptionally long time.
bare metal full strip down restoration
"There's a guy doing a bare metal full strip down restoration of my dad's old car. No way. Yes, of the Civic, which you wrote in one time."
This means taking the car apart completely and removing all the paint so you can fix it properly and make it look like new again.
A bare metal full strip down restoration involves completely disassembling a car and removing all paint and coatings down to the bare metal before restoring or repainting. This process ensures a thorough restoration and addresses any rust or damage.
California car
"And he's saying things like, California car. You can tell his car was loved. I was like, yeah, it did live in California."
When someone says a car is a California car, it means the car lived in California where the weather is dry, so it usually doesn’t have much rust or damage.
A 'California car' typically refers to a vehicle that has spent most of its life in California, often implying it has less rust and corrosion due to the dry climate. Such cars are generally more desirable in the used market.
VIN
"You knew it was yours because of the vin? Vin and color and then like the small details of like, oh, I bumped the garage there."
A VIN is a special number that every car has. It helps people know which car it is and its history.
VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, a unique code assigned to every vehicle. It is used to track the car's history, ownership, and specifications.
Ford Mustang
"Please bust it out. Okay, SHO Taurus, SVO Mustang. I have stories for all these."
automatic transmission
""There was a 4,500 mile maroon one on the site last week, but it was an automatic.""
An automatic transmission is a type of car gearbox that changes gears by itself, so you don't have to do it manually.
An automatic transmission shifts gears automatically without driver input, often less engaging for enthusiasts compared to manual transmissions.
Dodge Charger
"Yeah, I need a VR6. The G charger four cylinder is not supposed to be great. But t..."
Ford Taurus
"I'm running through my car roll-a-dex. the Taurus sold for 19,250. I know, I'm aware of what it so..."
Alfa Romeo Milano
"... the car that I had. So like I had an Alfa Romeo Milano, but I had the Silver, which was the 25 and, you..."
Ford Explorer
"I can't remember. We had a Ford Explorer in 97 that I believe. Did you use it all the tim..."
Mercedes-Benz Cclass
"but the CLK hatchbacks, which I think came with a V6 and a six-speed at one point. I mean, it's not a CLK, just the C-Class hatchback. Is that what it's called?"
Mercedes-Benz CLK
"but the CLK hatchbacks, which I think came with a V6 and a si..."
F-150 Raptor
"...50s. Oh, and then if you get a hot truck, it's a Raptor, right? There's that too."
Ford SVT Lightning
"... there was an SVT contour and an SVT Mustang and SVT lightning and a Focus. Like, it felt like there was this, ..."
Toyota Celica
"...m adding this to the Alex Shitbox list, the last Celica they sold here, the little angular one. I've alw..."
Porsche 944
"...shooting up all these prices. Yeah, specifically 944s would love a twin cam of some sort. Oh yeah, you..."
Porsche 924
"...e the best one in the world for under 20K is the 924S, which is 944 Mechanicals, but in the Dumpy 924 b..."
Porsche 914
"...sches. And there was a couple of guys with those 914s where they chopped the roll bar and those were s..."
Porsche Cayenne
"... there was one time at a PCA event, there was two Cayenne turbos that showed up. Wow."
Chevrolet Corvair
"...d of interesting modified cars. I think he had a Corvair with a V8 in it. He had some interesting cars."
Chevrolet Beretta
"His GTU class Pontiac. Or was it a Beretta? I think it was his Beretta."
Ford Model T
"...ven earlier stuff as well. There's a 1930 Hudson Model T, and then a 57 Pontiac Chieftain,"
Pontiac Chieftain
"...e's a 1930 Hudson Model T, and then a 57 Pontiac Chieftain, as well as a 66 Lincoln Continental Convertible..."
Peugeot 308
"... And GTBs are even rarer in 328s than they are in 308s. It's pretty sweet."
Lotus Elise
"... And it looks like it's the size and weight of an Elise. You undershot that 1,800 horsepower."
Mercedes-Benz Clk Gtr
"...er in the Mercedes LMP car that flew up? Oh, the CLK GTR, Zach's dream car. That's like, oh, man."
Lamborghini Lm002
"Sold strong. I watch every LM002 that hits the spot. Oh, yeah."
Chevrolet Bel Air
"...aking ton of the wings on the back. There's a 56 Bel Air with a dual quad on it that I really liked. Did ..."
Porsche Carrera Gets
"...o there you go. And then it's really when the 32 Carrera gets its own dedicated spoiler, because if you ordere..."
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