BMW E36 with 1JZ, Is it A Good Idea?
Written by Brandon Chong
11th of February 2012
Well, for some reason you might think is good. Logically you might think, why not, a German Common Sense married with Japanese Reliability, what a recipe for a superb machine.
Well, if you are talking about the Bimmer's 4 potter M43B18 from the 318i, no doubt, you will really feel the power and torque difference. But please for God sake if you are having a M50B25, M52B28 or higher, stick to the Bimmer's 6 potter. Trust me, is not worth the sacrifice for the horse power and torque gain from the 1JZ unless you really want a cheap thrill. I had my E36 318i M43B18 swap with a 1JZ-GTE TT auto and to be honest, is awesome. Immediately you feel the difference. From a lousy 0 to 100 KPH in around 13 seconds, is now reduced to around 8 seconds. That is for an auto 1JZ, is even faster if you have a manual.
To be honest, the Germans' has yet again overdone the capability of their machines. Even with a 2.5 liters 6 potter engine from a used to be 4 potter 1.8 liters engine from the 318i, the suspension and chassis is handling the power and weight well without any need for an upgrade. Of course, for better handling and performance, you need a better suspension system. But with the stocks, I've been having quite a lot of fun biting the corners thanks to the 3 series ultimate handling capability. With the normal stock 318i set up, you accidentally transformed a noisy front tyre crying in pain that works well as an alarm that simply warns you "if you hurt me more, I will kill you". And with the 2.5 liters twin turbo, the back likes to come out and play. Easily slaps the front back to where it supposed to be. Stuff like the brakes, the rear differential is coping with the extra punishment from the 1JZ pretty well.
After all these years of combine normal use and sometimes ‘heavy foot disorder’, the BMYotaE36JZ still serve me well. Apart from the thirsty 6 potters that drink as much as it farts, you barely see 450 KM with 65 liters of fuel. Small price to pay. Really? So far so good eh. Good.
Now, we have been talking about the good things about this idea. But there are some down side for this. Takes time but eventually you will notice. Apart from some amazing functions that you get with the stock 318i engine like the Sport, Economy and Manual mode selection, the KM per litre gauge, some or most of the BMW's dashboard warning and indicator lights and some minor minor things, are no longer to be used or seen. You will find that yes, you will, after paying the toll, make minced meat of most or I should say all of the other cars like Proton, Kia, Hyundai, Merc, and yes, even a Boxter. But once you have reached 165 kph, they will be closing up the gap behind you and the Merc or Boxter will cruise pass you probably while the driver reaching the back seats searching for her earrings or eating a pie at 180 kph. Thanks to the 1JZ's speed limiters. A simple bypass will fix the trick, but so far, I am happy with 165 kph. That’s the reason why I mention, keep your BMW M50's. Easily reach 200 kph.
But the real problem is not that. The real problem is the feel of the whole experience. Is hard to explain until eventually you feel the absence of the "Originalness" of a true Bimmer. You will eventually one day, drive into a BMW Service Center to replace some of the original parts, and with your half Asian wife, people will either like you or hate you. On the outside of your heart, yes, you are having fun and the thrill is awesome. You enjoy mincing others at the sets of lights, but deep inside your heart, you feel empty without the presence of the most important element of a true Ultimate Driving Machine.
Let’s put it this way, Imagine having a life time companion (BMW Stock Engine) that understands you (the car), rather than a thrilling one night stand with a super model (1JZ) and lost your life time companion.
Given a chance to choose again, I choose the Understanding Companion. But this time, will be a S50B30. Seriously, I don't mind getting another BMW E36. But this time, it will at least be a 325i or a 328i. The feeling of owning and driving a true original Bimmer is indescribable. Due to the most important element (The Heart) that has been replaced with a different element from a different origin and history. Owning half of a Bimmer doesn’t make you a true Bimmer owner. Heck, you are not even half way there to declare as a true Ultimate Driving Machine member.
