Without words – BMW E46 as “362i” with 459 hp LS3 V8!

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[Update: 10.11.2023] This post was updatedto take more recent information into account. Can you still remember the BMW M3 CSL H50 V8 with 438PS V8 remember from the tuner Hartge? The 3 Series had an S62 V8 engine from the BMW M5 E39 installed and of course this was boosted to an impressive 438 HP & 482 NM torque using various modifications from Alpha N Performance. Visually, the green M3 was anything but inconspicuous. A conversion from the USA shows us that the whole thing can also be done differently. There you can buy a BMW E46 330i with an LS3 V8 from the Corvette as a 362i. The extremely inconspicuous 330i will certainly appeal to one or two car enthusiasts.

Renamed the BMW E46 362i!

However, before we go into more detail about the car, we'll let you know that there probably won't be much change below the sum of around $27.000. But in return you get a visually conservative 3 Series BMW with huge 459 PS & 561 NM torque placed in your garage. The car is currently listed on craiglist.org and is still looking for a new owner.

Update 2023 – it is for sale again

The wolf in sheep's clothing: The camouflaged BMW E46 330i with the heart of a Corvette is for sale again. On the outside he seems completely normal, except for that “362i” emblem on the rear - an allusion to the engine installed: a powerful LS3 V8 from the Corvette, which impresses with a displacement of 6,2 liters. The V8 is connected to one T56 six-speed gearbox, topped with a Hurst ball shift knob – a typical refinement for American muscle cars. With 459 horsepower, the LS3 nearly doubles the output of the standard 330i with the ZHP package. The power is supported by a number of improvements: Koni coilovers, Stoptech brakes, Turner Motorsports anti-roll bars and a reinforced E46 M3 subframe. A special drive shaft connects the transmission to the differential.

On sale again for $27.000!

Seven years later, the converted E46 330i is for sale again. This time on Bring a trailer and again for an amount of approximately $27.000. Despite the performance, the conversion is not without flaws. This is not how the traction control, cruise control and climate work. The airbag warning light is also on. Visually, the threesome shows slight signs of wear on the black paint, which actually underlines the “sleeper” character.

Original description (English) for the BMW E46 330i:

• Body:
  • 127k miles (swap completed at 121k miles)
  • Good condition - no rust
  • Paint - 7/10 (black tends to show every scratch and swirl mark)
  • Interior - 7/10, leather in good condition. Re-wrapped alcantara wheel, newer shift knob, ZHP specific trim and alcantara shift boot and park brake boot
  • ZHP specific front and rear fasia ad lip spoiler
  • Both foglights replaced (thesis tend to crack regular)
• Engine:
  • L92 (truck version of LS3) pulled from and Escalade at 70k miles
  • An ear on the block broke during build so I sourced a brand new LS3 block and swapped everything over
  • New rings and bearings
  • Full head rework including new LS3 valves and aftermarket springs and pushrods
  • Mild cam from SMC performance
  • Headers with dual 3 ″ exhaust
  • Proposal engine mounts, but changed to lower thermometer to improve NVH
  • New water pump, alternator and A / C compressor. Turn One P / S pump
  • Customer C&R radiator with 55mm core and a 16 ″ Spal high volume fan
  • Z06 oil cooler
  • LS7 clutch
  • Holley hotrod oil pan with optional baffling
  • 459hp at the rear wheels (see dyno sheet)
• Driveline:
  T56 trans from a 2002 Camaro
  • Upgraded to carbon synchro rings, bronze shift fork pads and iron 1-2 shift fork
  • Hurst shifter grafted to the stock BMW shift level
  • 3 ″ diameter one piece aluminum drive shaft
  • E46 M3 210mm diff with LSD and larger M3 helped shafts
  F-body mount (really reduced NVH over what was essentially a solid mount from preselection)
• Suspension:
  • E46 M3 front LCAs and spindles
  • E46 M3 rear trailing arms and adjustable LCAs
  • TC Kline DA dampers with camber plates and height adjusters. 450lb / in from springs and 500lb / in rears
  • Turner adjustable sway bar front and rear.
• Wheels - 18 X 9.5 Apex ARC 8 wheel in hyper black all around. One wheel has a scuff mark, but all are straight.
• Brakes - Stoptech ST-40 calipers and Stoptech 355mm floating rotors all around
• Controls / wiring:
  • GM E38 standalone ECU
  • All tuning was done by Phil Hoeffler (aka Dr. Phil) with a focus on drivability. absolute peak hp numbers
  • I have HPTuners setup and all files that would be included in the sale. ,
  • EFI Connection engine harness (all new connectors, wires, etc.)
  • Using stock BMW DBW accelerator pedal so placement for heel and toe is stock
  • Using Arduino setup from Thaniel to convert CAN signal between GM and BMW protocol to the cluster and A / C function. I have an on / off switch in the glove box for the Arduino so it does not interfere with data logging.
  • Analog gauges in center console for water temp, oil temp and oil pressure (craiglist.org)

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Without words – BMW E46 as “362i” with 459 hp LS3 V8!
Photo credit/source: craiglist.org

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