LS3 Powered E46 BMW is a Sleeper Sedan
Swapping an LS into an E46 BMW has become quite the thing to do lately, and this 459 horsepower example looks great.
BMW has always been on top of their game when it comes to making a good chassis. The E46 generation in general has a reputation for being perfect for enthusiasts as electronic driver aids and electronic driver aids are also minimal. The straight-6 engines are smooth and torquey but, particularly for non-M badged cars, not hugely powerful in relationship to more modern cars and that makes them perfect for a big dose of V8 power. However, the E46 was a compact car when compact meant compact. That means a swap is not a straightforward project.
It is possible though, and this one on the auction site Bring a Trailer looks fantastic. The car may have a few miles on it, but the swap was performed at 112,000 using a rebuilt 6.2-liter LS3 with L92 internals and a 6-speed Tremec manual box. The owner states that the 330i is using the drivetrain from an M3, including the driveshaft, differential, axles, and spindles. That’s a lot of work in itself and the advice you’ll get from BMW heads is to just buy an M3, then remove the badges if you want a sleeper.
The dyno sheet shows 459 horsepower and 453 lb-ft of torque at the flywheel in a low-key looking sedan weighing what can only be a little north of 3,500 lbs. No doubt, this a car that will shock the hell out of some really fast modern production cars. It looks like a well thought out build, and our favorite little touch is the 362i badge. Even though the bigger clue at the red light as to what’s going on will be the V8 burbling away before it roars into action.
So, would you buy this BMW ‘362i’ sedan?
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