Most people know that the E36 M3 BMW (1992-1999) has a six-cylinder engine with up to 320 hp, depending on displacement. But during this period, when the E36 was being raced in Group A in the British Touring Car Championship, class rules dictated that racers use a different engine. This is where the unusual S14-powered (from the BMW E30 M3) E36 racers came into being.
It is believed these 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engines were used because of displacement rules. However, these engines in race trim certainly did not give up anything in terms of horsepower output. Reportedly, the engine in this car could make 360 horsepower, and other S14s could make up to 400, depending on the length of the race the cars would be entered in. These engines have a redline of 10,000 rpm, which seems to be necessary because the motor comes on the cam at 7,200 rpm. Behind the engine sat a Hollinger sequential 6-speed, which cost more than $30,000 new. Once 1st gear was engaged via the clutch, the rest of the shifts, up or down could be done by just pulling or pushing the gear lever.
Apart from the engine, these unusual BTCC E36s also used the rear suspension from the older E30, which was a semi-trailing arm design as opposed to the original multilink layout. Again, class rules dictated this change. As one would expect, brakes were 6-pot fronts and 4-pot rears. A BMW DTM ECU and Astra Tech data system control and log the engine’s behavior. Our horsepower calculator says that with 360 horsepower in a 2300-pound car, the power-to-weight ratio would be equivalent to a Ferrari 550 Maranello or the M5 with the V10 engine. 0-60 mph would be hit in 3.3 seconds.
As has often been said, there are different horses for different courses. These unique BMWs which used components from an older generation were certainly no slouches, as the accompanying video shows.
Inspiration for this post here.
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