Reincarnated: A 535-Hp 1993 BMW E36 with an American V8

Tunerworks based in Canada decided to play God, reviving this 1996 328is with 535-hp monster-powered GM LS1 engine and the Soul of a Euro-spec M3 EVO. Nice.

Many believe in the doctrine of rebirth, that the Soul can return in a new body. Perhaps as a plant, maybe a goat, or in this case, a clean 1993 325is — simply, the belief that one’s energy never really dies.

So, when Rob Leech, owner of Tunerworks Performance Inc. based in Calgary, Canada decided to play God with his E36, he did so in divine fashion, resurrecting it into a 535-hp monster powered by a GM LS1 (C5 Corvette) engine and the Soul of an M3 EVO.

Planting a Euro-spec 1993 BMW E36 into a US-spec 1996 325is (because, why not)

Rob’s car began life as a regular 3-series—a well-behaved, morally correct 325is he purchased with intentions of modifying. Good karma quickly led to an M3 conversion, Euro-spec, of course. While the European M3 never made it across the Atlantic in the late 90’s, North Americans got stuck with the less adept 3.0L 240-hp “EVO counterpart.”

1993 BMW E36
Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36. Photo: Amee Reehal

As a performance shop owner, Rob wasn’t having it, so he did the next best thing: purchase a 1996 E36 M3 Euro EVO, everything but the shell, and shipped it over. Upon receiving it, he slapped the parts into his current 1993 E36 and with some extra parts, managed to squeeze another 20-hp out of the 3.2L 320-hp Euro M3 engine.

A modified, turbo-less BMW 3 Series built to “top a Porsche 996 GT2 in all categories”

As a track instructor with the BMW and Porsche clubs in town, Rob’s E36 had seen countless days at the track which began to takes its toll, as Rob explains, “I used my car for instruction and personal use at the track on a regular basis, and it became clear the turbo just wasn’t suited for this. The lag and heat were obvious signs.”

I used my car for instruction and personal use at the track on a regular basis, and it became clear the turbo just wasn’t suited for this. The lag and heat were obvious signs.

Unsuited coupled with the unquenchable thirst for more power encouraged an awakening, “I definitely wanted more power but without a turbo,” Rob continues, “to build the most complete, most capable street and track BMW in the world…something to top a Porsche 996 GT2 in all categories.”

Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36
Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36. Photo: Amee Reehal

Bold words by an equally bold guy who sold his engine (to a person in California who is apparently winning races, no less) and led his beloved ride down a path of Self-Realization—a path of transformation, full of perfection and eternal bliss, in search of a new life of American muscle fused with German engineering.

BMW 325is Coupe: Let the Tuning Project Begin

Even as a Euro performance specialist who has built, both for himself and his clients, several BMW projects (including a ’99 M3 Cab featured in the November 04 issue of PerformanceBMW), Rob claims he’s not a ‘BMW Guy,’ in the sense that he was not absolutely set on tuning a BMW for this project. He simply wanted the ideal platform for what he wanted to achieve, which happened to be a BMW.

Opting for a an American V8 over the German V6

1993 BMW E36 engine
Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36. Photo: Amee Reehal

Whether this quasi homage-to-the-BMW statement makes any sense or not, all that matters is the rationale for the C5 Corvette engine and the remarkable install that went along with it. With the mandate to build a great street car without compromise on the track, the goal was to use an engine build for the broad power band with loads of power without being too ‘peaky;’ an engine designed to run continuously at high RPM.

The BMW engine has an iron block with aluminum head, thus this V8 is actually lighter than the V6.

So why go with an American V8? As Rob explains, “Because it’s compact and lighter. The BMW engine has an iron block with aluminum head, thus this V8 is actually lighter than the V6. Plus it makes my car go faster!” Indeed.

E36 modified: everything had to be custom made

If karma exists, and good deeds in the previous life lead to a new life of comfort, success, and 0-60 in 4.0 seconds, then this ’93 E36 must have been holy in some capacity to be blessed with a Corvette power-plant. But not without consequences, and in this case, countless hours of labour with endless custom fabrications.

From the chassis to the engine, virtually everything had to be custom made, including anything and everything attaching the mammoth engine to the car, with parts as simple as fuel lines. The most difficult part of the build, however, was the headers.

We went through 6 revisions before we could get it right, spending nearly 100 hours. It’s safe to say the headers cost more than the car!

“We went through 6 revisions before we could get it right, spending nearly 100 hours. It’s safe to say the headers cost more than the car!” Rob states. And all this after he consulted on a previous LS1/E36 project spearheaded by his friends Paul Botting and Trevor Petrow, who suffered tenfold with their attempt, without the same level of success.

Lightweight, carbon fibre driveshaft a very unique upgrade

The lightweight driveshaft is definitely noteworthy. “The driveshaft is carbon fibre, which is very unique, “ Rob says, “it’s extremely light, only 14lbs, and the reduced vibration makes a huge difference as well.”

Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36

The drivetrain also includes a T56 6-speed transmission and Fidanza aluminum flywheel with a SPEC Stage 3 clutch. Custom parts include a BMW subframe with urethane motor mounts and transmission brace with a urethane mount, along with a custom shifter.

E36 interior and styling: clean inside and out

The exterior styling is very clean and sharp, the mark of a striking E36 that has aged extremely well since ‘93, with a bodykit that retains the original lines. Ironically, for someone who sells aftermarket gear, Rob opted for an OEM kit, justified by claiming, “I picked the factory 1998 M3 aero-kit because factory components have had the most wind tunnel testing, opposed to other aftermarket products.”

Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36 seats
Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36. Photo: Amee Reehal

Certainly makes sense, and looks good. Other cosmetics include black kidney grills; Euro headlights with an HID upgrade along with Euro clear lighting; a rear lip spoiler; and brake ducts to replace driving lamps.

The interior is equally as striking, including the Koenig Germany sports seats with Schroth harness’ which Rob feels “provide the most amount of lateral support of any sport bucket (excluding race seats).” Again, nice and simple, from the Momo Corse wheel and UUC stainless steel shift knob to the Euro M3 gauge cluster and Nakamichi CD player.

Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36
Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36. Photo: Amee Reehal

E6 coupe gains upgraded wheels, footwork, and BMW suspension

What would the transmigration of this Soul be without new wheels? Absolutely nothing, so this M3 rolls on black custom forged 18×9” wheels wrapped in 255/35/18 tires on the streets, and Kosei 17×8.5” with 255/40/17 Toyo RA1 rubber for the track.

Stopping assembly includes a Stoptech 4-wheel 332mm big brake upgrade, paired with Stoptech SS brake lines. Rob chose these brakes because of their size, but they also allow him to run both this 17” and 18” wheels for track and street, respectively. “Stoptech does the best job creating balanced brakes kits, while allowing me to easily change the brake pads to track specific.”

Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36 black wheels
Tunerworks 1993 BMW E36. Photo: Amee Reehal

“My suspension was chosen for a wide range of adjustability, particularly, to adjust ride height and stiffness of the shocks as well as the chamber and toe settings.” Rob explains. This setup includes a Ground Control coilover kit with Koni dampers and custom springs rates, and Ground Control camber/caster plates. The BMW Motorsport strut brace; Ground Control rear shock mounts; Eibach sway bars; and Powerflex bushings, all help with rigidity.

Takeaway: is this modified E36 BMW worthy?

So, is there a moral to this tale of reincarnation and multiple lives of an E36? Perhaps a profound doctrine of divine justice, imposed or enforced by rules of the Universe? No, not really. But while he looks nothing like A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Rob is somewhat of a modern day BMW Hare Krishna. So if you see him wandering the Heathrow or LAX airports preaching the word of incredible engine swaps and power gain enlightenment, you should really stop and listen (and if you can, spare him some change).

Below, specs and full gallery.

Specs for Tunerwork’s 1993 BMW 325is Sterling Silver on Black

Engine:

  • GM LS1, 347ci
  • forged pistons
  • balanced and blueprinted bottom end
  • block girdle
  • ported oil pump
  • dual-row  timing chain
  • AFR 205cc CNC heads
  • Comp cam
  • Comp dual valve springs with titanium retainers
  • Comp lifters
  • Comp chro-mo pushrods
  • NW 90mm throttle body
  • FAST 90mm intake manifold
  • 4” cold air intake
  • SLP 85mm MAF
  • 42# injectors
  • large fuel pump
  • custom stainless stepped headers
  • Random cats
  • 3” X-pipe
  • custom dual 2.5” exhaust (455rwhp, 415 rwtq)
  • external oil cooler
  • with Accusump  oil pressure system

Drivetrain:

  • custom BMW subframe with urethane motor mounts
  • custom transmission brace with urethane mount
  • T56 transmission
  • Custom shifter
  • Fidanza aluminum flywheel
  • SPEC Stage 3 clutch
  • Carbon fibre driveshaft
  • Diffsonline 40% LSD

Chassis:

  • Street: Custom forged 18×9” wheels with 255/35/18 street tires
  • Track: Kosei 17×8.5” with 255/40/17 Toyo RA1
  • Ground Control coilover kit
  • Koni dampers
  • Custom spring rates
  • Ground Control camber/caster plates
  • Ground Control rear shock mounts
  • Eibach sway bars
  • Powerflex bushings
  • BMW Motorsport strut brace
  • Stoptech 4-wheel 332mm big brake upgrade
  • Stoptech SS brake lines
  • Motul fluid
  • Street and track pad compounds

Exterior:

  • Complete 1998 M3 aero-kit
  • Rear lip spoiler
  • Black kidney grills
  • Euro headlights with HID upgrade
  • Euro clear taillights
  • Brake ducts to replace driving lamps

Interior:

  • Koenig Germany sport seats
  • Schroth harness
  • Euro M3 gauge cluster
  • Custom VDO gauges
  • UUC stainless knob
  • Hamann pedals
  • Momo Corse wheel
  • Nakamichi CD player
  • HOPLAP lap timer

Performance:

  • 0-60 in 4.0 seconds
  • 1/4 mile in 12.0 seconds @ 123mph
  • top speed @ 188mph
  • skidpad 0.95
  • fuel mileage = poor

Project shout outs to:

  • Paul Botting and Trevor Petrow, the LS1/E36 gurus
  • Chris and Arlyn for amazing exhaust work
  • Maranello  Auto Refinished Ltd.

Interior and exterior BMW 325is coupe pictures

Photos: Amee Reehal

Up Next:
Author:
Amee Reehal
Amee Reehalhttps://www.ameereehal.com/
Shooting cars and bikes professionally since film was a thing, for over 20 years, Amee has collaborated with the major automakers and agencies, and his work has been published in various global outlets including MotorTrend, GlobeDrive, SuperStreet, Chicago Tribune, PerformanceBMW, and others. He’s an automotive writer and founder/managing editor of TractionLife.com, focusing on digital marketing & SEO for the past ten years (backed by a marketing degree, go figure). Find him travelling, spending time with his kids and family. Or golfing, poorly.