The BMW Z3 M Coupé shipped with an S54 3,0-litre straight-six which, when new, delivered 239 kW and 350 N.m. For an owner in Boksburg, however, this figure simply wasn’t enough ... so the standard powerplant was swapped out for Toyota’s 2JZ-GTE.

As featured in Speedhunters, owner Desmond Rudman and his son Jonathan, owner of Rapid Garage, kept the Z3 M standard for quite some time. But, after a while, the urge to tinker became to strong to resist. The initial idea was to turbocharge the standard engine but upon researching the cost of a replacement unit direct from BMW (should anything go wrong), this idea was scrapped.

At around the same time, a reasonable deal for a complete 3,0-litre 2JZ-GTE popped up and the decision was made. As stock, the Japanese engine wasn’t going to make much of a difference, so Desmond had the cylinder head ported and flowed, and installed a high-flow intake manifold, single GT3076 turbocharger, custom Rapid front-mount intercooler, Mines wastegate, DeatschWerks 960 cc injectors, 100 mm throttle body, Chevrolet LS1 coils and a stainless manifold connected to a custom 89 mm exhaust with a back box from a BMW M3.

Together with a Spitronics Mercury2 ECU and custom boost pressure setting, this Z3 M is said to now deliver up to 400 kW. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox sourced from a Toyota Hilux D4D with a six-puck copper clutch.

To cope with the added power, the Z3 M Coupé has gained suspension revisions, including a set of KW Variant 2 Inox-Line coilovers. Semi-slick Yokohama Advan A048 tyres, measuring 225/35 R18 at the front and 265/30 R18 at the rear, have also been fitted, while Ferodo Racing brake pads provide improved stopping power.

Original article from Car