BMW E30 Has S2000 Power to Stunt On SEMA
Gorgeous Widebody BMW E30 Combines Iconic German Engineering With S2000’s Legendary Screaming High RPMS and VTEC Transitions.
The Honda S2000 and its F20C engine have, in their own right, become motoring and motorsports icons. You’re not likely to attend a track day or motorsports event without being in the presence of at least one Honda S2000. However, the remarkable traits of the Honda F20 engine continue to transcend its intended chassis as car enthusiasts around the world swap the singing high-RPM powerplant into just about every car one could imagine. In this case, one legend meets another.
Found in the Eneos booth at SEMA 2021 is a remarkable widebody BMW E30. A first glance is all it takes to fall in love with this car. From its widened stance to its insanely aesthetic Eneos racing livery, it’s hard not to be intrigued. The exterior is only the beginning, though. As you get closer, you’ll find that under the hood of this German icon is none other than the Honda S2000’s F20 engine.
This Swap Was No Easy Task
Just looking at the car doesn’t even begin to tell the tale of how much work went into this thing. It is far more than just an engine swap. There’s virtually no nut or bolt that went unturned with this project. It’s the brainchild of professional drifter Faruk Kugay, and there were no compromises to be made, and no page left unturned throughout its build. Luckily for us, Motor Trend gave us the scoop on the behind-the-scenes of this build.
It started life as a run-of-the-mill E30 3 series chassis that had been left to rot. After about ten years of sitting, Kugay purchased the car from a friend. He decided it was time to give it its time in the limelight.
Kugay and his team completely stripped the car out and gave it the complete race car treatment. Outside, Kugay fitted a Pandem 1.5 widebody kit before it was given its pretty Eneos paint job. They even removed the roof skin and replaced it with a carbon fiber cap. That’s some dedication!
This E30 Was Originally Intended To Be K Swapped
Though we fully back the Honda S2000 power plant under the hood, we know why Kugay would have originally wanted a K-series. However, the F20 was ultimately decided on because Kugay could not obtain official approval from California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair. Ultimately, the goal was to create a car that could be used on both the street and the track. So, the F20 was the answer.
“I love the idea of being able to drive the car on the street, go and do a track day, then drive it right back home without having to worry. Getting the swap done and the car’s B.A.R. certification will make it perfect. The truth is, older cars just aren’t that reliable, especially these, and that’s why I’m going with a modern engine set up. I know the F20 won’t make as much power as a K24, but it’s still going to be so much fun revving to 9,000 RPM on the track,” Kugay told Motor Trend.
Though this BMW E30 project was subject to massive time constraints, it came out absolutely stunning. We’re glad we got a chance to see it here at SEMA!
Photos for Honda-Tech by Braden Carlson
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