Honda K24 2.6L engine in the BMW M3 (E30) as a restomod!

Thomas Wachsmuth 9 November 2022 -> Cars from AZ, -> Tuner from AZ, BMW, CAtuned, Premium vehicles

Reading time 4 Min.

Recently updated on December 5, 2023 at 09:49 am

This classic 30 Sport Evolution E3 M1989 BMW was completely turned inside out by CAtuned. The vehicle was at the last SEMA Auto Show and turned the heads of all spectators. As far as we know, the E30 M3 chassis was originally a Dinan car fitted with a Sport Evolution engine, which not only received various upgrades from BMW-M but was also expanded to a 2,5-litre displacement. The engines were originally intended for use in the M3 Evolution III which was raced with 600 road-built homologation vehicles. So not many of these engines were built. The performance of the special S14 was 238 hp, a performance jump of around 20%. But the engine is NO LONGER installed!

Honda K24 2.6L engine

So what exactly is under the Skunk2 billet magnesium rocker cover? Not a BMW S14 in-line four-cylinder, but a Honda K24 engine engine capacity to 2,6 liters. The motor is light, reliable, powerful and there are almost endless aftermarket parts for it to buy. CAtuned simply didn't want to blow up the legendary homologation spec engine in an attempt to boost performance. And besides, CAtuned wanted to do exactly what they've been doing since 2002. Mix and match styles to build ultimate driving machines. The Japanese 17 inch RAYS Volk Racing TE37 rims also fit into this. And according to CAtuned, that was even the last sentence for the E30 in all of North America. Incidentally, the BMW sports suspension was also thrown out and was replaced with a CAtuned Street coilover suspension. And there were polyurethane bushings to further stiffen the old chassis.

Brake system, drive and interior

The brake system now consists of several CAtuned parts in combination with an AP Racing kit and a Wavetrac differential is also installed and there were also a few details inside the M3. You can see a set of Scheelmann Sportline R seats with a houndstooth pattern, there was an M-Tech II sports steering wheel and, in addition, ultra-light carbon fiber door panels are installed. However, the changes we mentioned are only part of the overall makeover of this M3. A list with almost all modifications can be found below. If we get more information about the changes to the M3, there is of course an update for this report. You will be informed about this if you simply use our Feed subscribe to. Have fun watching the pictures and stay true to us!

the most important technical details of the conversion (translated):

Motor: Honda K24 2.6L, CP forged coated pistons, Crower forged H-beam connecting rods, Crower 4340 billet 102mm stroker crankshaft, ACL Race coated connecting rods and main bearings, Endyn CNC machined and hand built racing cylinder head, Supertech racing valves and spring set with titanium brackets, Custom Web Cam Billet Cams, ARP Bolts, Big Bore MLS Head Gasket, New Honda OEM Timing Components, Skunk2 Billet Timing Tensioners, PracWorks Carbon Manifolds, Injector Dynamics 1050x Injectors, E85 Fuel, Custom CAtuned 3-Inch -Stainless Steel Exhaust, Nuke Performance Oil Catch Tank, Vibrant Performance Fittings and Wiring Harness, TF Motor Swap Brackets, CAtuned Aluminum Radiator, CAtuned Coolant Hoses, CAtuned Radiator Bracket, Spal Electric Fan, CAtuned Fan Brackets, CAtuned Silicone Cooling Hoses, Custom Engine Wiring Harness, Link -Engine management system, magnesium valve covers
Powertrain: ZF 5-speed manual transmission, Wavetrac limited-slip differential, STIM Technologies billet differential cover
Chassis / brakes: CAtuned Street Coilovers, CAtuned Poly Subframe Bushings, CAtuned Poly Trailing Arm Bushings, ST Stabilizer Bars, CAtuned AP Racing Front Racing Brake Kit, CAtuned Stainless Steel Brake Lines, Chase Bays Brake Booster Kit and Dual Master Cylinders

Wheels/Tires: RAYS Volk Racing TE37 17 inch forged wheels, Toyo Proxes R888R tires
Outside: CAtuned Front Carbon Splitter, CAtuned Rear Diffuser, CAtuned Windsplits, CAtuned DTM Mirrors, CAtuned DTM Carbon Spoiler and Special Rubber Spoiler, CAtuned Hella Headlights and Intake, CAtuned Custom Taillights, Euro Grille
Innenausstattung: Auto Power roll cage, Scheelmann USA Sportline R seats with matching rear bench, CAtuned carbon door panels, CAtuned carbon speaker tray, BMW Mtech2 suede steering wheel, CAtuned gauges, CAtuned B-pillar trim

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