LS1 BMW E36 M3 Spanks Hemi Jeep on Hoonigan Runway
Despite being on the shelf for a year, plus a driver used to front-drivers, LS1-powered BMW M3 throw down like it was built yesterday.
Do you know what’s more fun than swapping in an LS or LT into a GM car or truck? Swapping one into a ride that never had one in the first place. Especially one which would otherwise be broken-down on the side of the road, like a BMW E36 M3. Not to mention the thrill you’ll have in driving all those Bimmer purists into a rage (while doing smoky burnouts and donuts, of course).
One such LS-swapped BMW E36 M3 recently got to do all that, and then some. The Hoonigan crew brought out their M3 after a year on the shelf to party with a Hemi-swapped Jeep Wrangler on the Hoonigan Runway.
“Today is literally things we found at Hoonigan to race each other,” said Brian Scotto. “Neither of which are proven vehicles […] that’s our matchup today.”
Stepping into the ring first is a 2014 Jeep Wrangler built by Wheel Pros. Under its hood is a 6.4-liter Hemi with 420 ponies moving the 37-inch Nitto all-terrains. Though it has four-wheel drive, it also weighs 6,000 pounds, and rides pretty high. Not exactly a drag car, to say the least.
“This is an LS E36,” said Dan Sommer. “It’s got Edelbrock heads. It’s an LS1 with LS3 heads. It’s a bit of a hybrid. It’s got all the good bits for drifting, and a little bit for road racing. We kind of built it as an all-around car. This’ll be the first time it’s drag racing. Or actually moving in the first year.”
The LS1 residing in the M3 originally lived under the hood of a fourth-gen Camaro. From there, a pair of Edelbrock throttle bodies were also attached, and a “big fat cam” helps it make 420 horsepower. Complete with a T56, this lightweight BMW is capable of knocking the Jeep out. However, it does have to overcome the Hoonigan’s chosen driver, John Naderi. Let’s just say he’s more used to front-drive Hondas with four cylinders.
And overcome Naderi it did, despite a hicup here and there. On the first run, the BMW beat the Jeep while most of its run was in first gear. On the “second” run, everyone forgot to tell Naderi about Sommer getting the hit. Thus, a redo was in order. On the real second run, Naderi beat the Jeep again.
On the third and final run for Naderi, Sommer flicked the auto into manual-mode, beating the LS-powered ride by a car length. The BMW would get its revenge, though, via a driver swap. Despite the Jeep getting the jump, the LS reeled the tall boi back in to win by three car lengths.
“Such a weird collection of cars,” said Scotto.
Though weird, there’s nothing like hearing an LS-swapped BMW make LS V8 noises while making donuts.
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