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Wanted to share my E46 Coupe build that I started a few years ago. I started with a 2002 BMW 325Ci (5-speed manual) that I found on OfferUp. It had over 198,XXX miles but that did not matter as I had plans for this one. My goal is to build a car that'll be fast/reliable (at least I thought) that I'm able to drive on the street and beat it on the track.

First, I got rid of the ugly spoiler it came with and put a muffler since it was straight piped and also ordered CSL wheels.

Fitment was tough and had to go with smaller tires to make it fit (also had to get the fenders rolled).

I drove the car for a few hundred miles before the stock engine decided to give up on me and spin a bearing. Once that happened, I dropped it off to Amor Autosports located in Santee, CA and started ordering more parts.

BC coilovers were the first things ordered but ended up selling it and going with PartsShopMax coilover kit to accommodate my setup.
Also ended up ordering upgraded upper/lower control arms, poly bushings, subframe reinforcements, and z32 brakes from PartsShopMax. CAE short shifter, hard motorsport poly rear windows, and some other M3 parts to be able to support a 800-1000hp car.

Sparco quick release, steering wheel, and seats were also purchased. I had a MOMO steering wheel with a NRG quick release but unfortunately they were stolen since the car could not be locked.

I was able to source a 6 speed manual transmission and complete rear end that came off a 2005 E46 M3. The original differential was welded so I wanted to get rid of that.

I was also looking at HGK and the high quality parts they supplied and ended up ordering a carbon roof, trunk, dash, and door panels.

Found a replacement engine to install and wanted to do something that would make the car have the power/torque that I wanted. My options were either a S85 V10 engine or a 2JZ non-vvti. I was more interested in the V10 but making it reach the power I wanted and hearing about the reliability issues pushed me away from it. Even though it was a BMW engine that sounded amazing. Fitting it in the E46 engine bay would be a challenge so I decided to avoid that and go with a built 2JZ engine which definitely will not please the purists.
I had it built all the way over in Bahrain with a shop I am familiar with and arranged it to be shipped out to San Diego. The 2JZ engine setup was getting the heads ported, 272 cams, BC rods and pistons, HKS GT-III turbo, and mating it with an AEM Infinity standalone.
Due to Covid, there were many delays with shipping. After waiting half a year it finally showed up.

The guys at the shop went right in and dropped the already blown stock engine.

Started assembling the 2JZ and getting it ready.

Welded the reinforcement plates for the subframe

Got the reinforcement plates, bushings, diff bushings, trailing arm bearings, control arms, and rear end installed including the brakes.

Transmission got mounted on the engine

It's in!

Custom transmission mounts made too

Definitely exciting to see more progress being made.

After doing some research, it turned out that the HKS turbo won't be the best option for me considering it being an old turbo.

Sold it and shipped it to a friend in Oman then purchased a Garrett G35-900 Turbo that was recommended by JP at Amor Autosports.

Turbo got mounted with new fuel filters and lines and catch can routed and all braided to be E85 compatible.

 

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Continuing the post:
Intercooler being test fitted

Fuel rail changed to Radium with the GReddy intake manifold installed.

I really like the way titanium piping looks as heat changes the color over time. Decided to go with titanium for all the piping.

Shoutout to JP on spending many hours welding this thing together. Being his first time welding titanium, he did an amazing job.

Piping installed and other parts powder coated in black to give the engine a subtle look.

I was out of the country when this was being done, but the boys managed to get the car started and initialize timing on the E46.

Installed a CD-7 Dash from AEM to monitor my temps and levels.

Also fabricated a 3.5in titanium straight pipe. It’s too loud and potentially considering getting a muffler since it’s a StReEt LeGaL car.

Off to the dyno!

Dardan from DardanTuned got the car tuned and hooked up the dash to get my wheel speed and gear number displayed.

Rolling anti-lag, 2 step, 9 boost target settings, launch control, boost by gear, and flex fuel. Made 800 wheel horsepower on E85.

Forgot to mention that other parts came in while working on getting the car dialed.

Ordered OEM style headlights from LightWerkz

HGK Carbon Parts came and they are beautiful
To the track! Big thanks to the USC Car Club for hosting the event.

Track day was going great and the car felt too fast for the small layout of the track (on the lowest map). I could not put the power down with the 255 tires I had and definitely realized I need grippier and wider tires.

Unfortunately, lost oil pressure mid lap and suddenly the car died. Heard a knocking noise coming from the engine bay and knew instantly what was going on. Imagine having your engine blow on the first track event it’s been to. We move on!
Took it back to the shop and the boys got the engine removed. I drove a few hours to San Bernandino at Patrick Blake Racing to have the engine inspected and rebuilt. From asking around and reading a bunch of forum posts for 1000WHP 2JZ engines he is the guy to talk to.

I was informed by Patrick that it'll take a few months to get it rebuilt and done and opted out for more upgrades (stage 2) on the engine so it will be done right.
BC Rods
86.5mm Diamond Pistons
RAD Billet Mains
ARP Main Studs
GSC Conical Springs
He's a honest and reputable guy and I couldn't be happier working with anyone else. It definitely seems like he knows what he is doing.

This picture is a few months ahead to where we are now.

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While the engine was getting rebuilt, I decided to drop it off to Drifters Garage to get the car stripped and painted. New goodies were ordered such as the the Flossman Design front carbon fenders, hardmotorsport rear overfenders, M3 Hood, M3 CSL style front bumper, M3 rear bumper, and other items.

Also wanted Luis from Drifter's garage to mold the rear overfenders to give it a OEM+ look and be able to run wider tires without it looking off.

Was pleased with the outcome!
Now fast forward a few months,

 

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Continuing the Post:
Body work done on the car and first layer of primer being sprayed
Fully prepped, went with a Porsche color:
PTS Slate Grey (green reflection)

View attachment 966500
View attachment 966499

Left a bit of carbon present on the trunk and blended in with the paint

Paint came out great, loving the dark/stealth look.
Next thing is to get the carbon roof installed, strip the interior, fabricate a cage and powder coat, then finally install the carbon dash and door panels.
I am also looking for options for 275/18 Tire's to put the power down so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Stay Tuned!

 

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Wow. Nice. It really isn't even anything close to what it was anymore.

It was supposed to be a simple swap but ended up being a full on build.

 

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Engine and car both at Amor Autosports. Big thanks for JP and Ian (Amor) and Patrick (PB Racing) for getting this thing back and better. Few more small things needed to get the engine in the car and running. Will need to get new cam gears and timing belts from HKS. Also, will have to get LOTS of gaskets and tensioners sourced from PowerHouseRacing and DriftMotion. I will be looking at Setrab to see what oil cooler is best since there are no plug and play kits for a build like this.

 

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Happy holidays! Most of the ordered parts came in and are awaiting installation.

Also, getting the baffles drilled out and cleaning the valve covers.

 

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Tires came in! Went with Toyo R888R to be able to put down the power, I've heard good and bad things about them so we'll just have to see. Shoutout to Kevin from European Auto Source.

275/35/R18 Rear
265/35/R18 Front

Waiting on the wheels

 

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Engine 2.0 is in!

Few more things to be installed and we can get this running again.

 

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Ended up returning the HKS cam gears and ordered the PHR billet ones instead. Unfortunately, they are backordered so there may be few delays. Other than that, piping is installed!

 

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Ooh pretty pie cuts! Did you do that yourself, and are they titanium?

I wish I had the skill to weld this myself but I did not. It’s titanium pie cuts sourced from Ticon Industries.

 

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Installed spacers on the trunk latches to ensure it is secure and does not open up and crack the rear window while driving considering how light it is.

 

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Test fitting the oil cooler

 

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Oil cooler seems to fit right so got it ordered through Amazon which will get here in a couple of days.
View attachment 969485
Also got a sandwich plate, pulley bolts, and crank bolts sourced from DriftMotion.
View attachment 969486
Finally ordered 2 knock sensors
View attachment 969487

That should be everything needed, really close!

 

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PHR billet cam gears installed, love the quality.

 

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New water pump installed to get rid of the plastic propellor on the old one. Best time to do it now before the timing goes back together.

 

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So far so good

 

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All timed and together now

 

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Make sure those cam gear bolts are a good and tight, don’t wanna do that thing the rx7 did with the 1.5jz and lose a cam gear

 

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First start, couldn't be more happier.

 

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I'm so jealous man. I am hoping to fire mine up in a few weeks. I love the way you did the titanium for intercooler and everything I will most likely update mine to that after I get mine all running and dialed in. What are HP goals on this thing?

I will be posting dyno results in a couple of weeks. With the current engine setup it should be running 900 + wheel horsepower.