Wild M20 Swap: 1975 BMW 2002 Turbo

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This next feature is a vintage bumperless BMW 2002, but the real story is under the hood. The original M10 four-cylinder has been swapped with an M20B25 inline-six from a ’91 E30 325is. The M20B25 was already a strong swap candidate in naturally aspirated form, with smooth power delivery, period-correct BMW character, and many more torques than the original 2.0-liter four. Adding a turbo pushes this to 300 horsepower, which is three times the original power and three times the original widowmaking capacity. Find this 1975 BMW 2002 Turbo offered for $16,500 in Long Beach, CA via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

From the seller:

1975 bmw 2002
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 130,000
paint color: blue
title status: clean
transmission: manual
cryptocurrency ok
Selling my Atlantik Blau 1975 BMW 2002 with an M20 Turbo swap. I’ve had this car for 10 years and never planned to sell it, but honestly it just scares the sh*t out of me these days so I don’t drive it enough. Planning on moving on to something with airbags and crumple zones.

The good:

  • M20B25 out of a 1991 325is with ~130k miles
  • 5 speed manual
  • ceramic bearing turbo, external wastegate, full 3″ exhaust, ARP studs, 60lb Siemens Deka injectors
  • water/air intercooler with custom carbon charge piping (comes with spare and CAD model)
  • Normally runs 7psi of boost and makes around 220hp
  • Pull the fog light switch and it will bump to 13psi and make 300hp (dyno sheet to prove it). Same power to weight as a modern M3.
  • Megasquirt ECU tuned by Advanced Engine Dynamix in Corona for 91 octane
  • Brand new 3.64 LSD built by 2002AD in Pomona
  • Tan vinyl interior, tan carpets, black&tan coco matts
  • Custom 3d printed center console and steering column cover (CAD models included)
  • Ireland Engineering sport suspension, Bilstein dampers, poly bushings in front
  • Fiberglass hood
  • Decent sound system with a sub under the rear seats
  • Too many newish parts to list, can put together a list for the new owner if interested
  • Fully sorted mechanically. I’ve driven this car up and down the coast from San Diego to Monterey. It’s been to track days and autocross. The car is not a project, it loves to be driven hard (if you’re brave enough)
  • Cheap to insure (I use Hagerty)

The not so good:

  • Driver side rear drum brake has a small leak
  • Paint is a 10 footer. Can see from the photos that it’s not terrible and from the right angle it’s nice, but up close in person the roof and hood aren’t great and there are a few chips/dents in various locations. Door jams are Fjord blue (original color). Not a show car.
  • Engine fan is on a toggle switch on the center console, not a thermostat switch
  • Wiring is not super organized. Everything works and has proper relays & fuses, just not super clean. I’m a mechanical engineer not electrical.
  • Small exhaust leak somewhere after the turbo. I drive with the windows down and it’s fine but you’ll smell like an old car when you get out after a long drive.
  • Tires are at the end of life
  • Rear bushings are pretty shot. I’ve got poly replacements just haven’t gotten around to installing.

Test drives with cash in hand or you can sit in the passenger seat. Open to trades for something more modern of similar value, lmk what you have.

See a better way to drive something blue? tips@dailyturismo.com