450HP V8 hot rod built on an original unmolested BMW 325 Coupe.
Vehicle Description
BMW “sleeper” hot rod.
Videos are here:
https://youtu.be/klCxq5cNFJw
https://youtu.be/ARwhELtcQxA
https://youtu.be/jDeqrTwV-Hc
https://youtu.be/5a5ORsRMRZU
https://youtu.be/QzGGlShazmo
Arizona car, no rot or damage of any kind to my knowledge, no damage history, clean Carfax. Car was purchased by the previous owner for a dedicated hot rod build. Built by an older Phoenix-based hobbyist rodder. Completed about three years ago. It was his last build. He sold it to me because he felt he was getting too old to drive it.He took me on a test drive. I was sold by the car and his story.
New 383 Chevy Stroker motor. Built to 450HP specification. Machined block, bored and honed cylinders, square decked 90 degrees to mains, balanced, new high nodular crank 3.750 stroke, new i-beam rods, Clevite main and rod bearings, Speed Pro pistons, Sealed Power rings, MUTHA Thurmp’r cam 235/249 duration, double roller timing set, professional products balancer, flex plate, performer RPM intake manifold, Pro Comp aluminum heads with 2.02 intake and 1.60 exhaust valves, full aluminum rocker and valve covers, high volume oil pump, long tube headers, chrome oil pan, approx 450HP + FT LBS torque.
New custom exhaust with adjustable baffling
Rebuilt T5 5-speed transmission
BMW 5 Series differential - 4:10 ratio, limited slip.
All new original BMW spec suspension
New Wilwood large brake upgrade
New (add make) tires on stock wheels
New Griffin aluminum radiator (spec is for 67-69 Chevrolet Camaro), electric boost fan
Power steering - stock BMW with Chevrolet power steering pump
Power brakes - 1983 Buick Hydro Boost and Wilwood four piston calipers
New Carter electric fuel pump
New custom upholstery
BMW Tach re-calibrated for V8 (Dakota Digital recalibrater)
Team Performance distributor
Full set of extra gauges
Car is very fast, tight handling, balanced, not front-heavy. Excellent ride quality. Everything works per spec: manual sunroof, gauges, lights, belts, etc. Builder told me that at idle the A/C compressor can cause the engine to stall because of aggressive cam profile - I have not used the AC so that is hearsay. Exhaust note gets lots of attention but isn’t loud. There is a removable baffle, it can be louder if wanted.Windows work but are slow in that BMW old window regulator way.
This is not a show car. It is a well executed amateur build. There are a lot lot of small imperfections (e.g. paint chips, multiple original BMW warmings lights that illuminate because they are no longer hooked up, right now there is a little belt squeal on cold start, I haven't adjusted, you can hear it in the video). There are lots of funky touches (e.g. the extra gauge pack on the console). It is a great “cars and coffee” conversation piece for a hot rod enthusiast or BMW contrarian. It is very enjoyable to drive, surprisingly usable. And comfortable.
About 2500 miles since completion, almost all put on by the original builder. Car has been in a collection in Tucson for about a year, driven less than 500 miles in that time.Note - obviously it is not emissions compliant to original (or any) spec. It is registered in AZ as a collectible which does not require emissions testing.
NB: I am a lifelong English vintage sports car type - I bought the BMW because I thought it was very Arizona and would be a kick to own for a while. The build specs are what I got from the builder. You are welcome to ask more detailed questions but if they assume deep BMW or hot rod expertise I will run aground pretty quickly. I can try asking a friend here who is a hot rodder. I have had a lot of vintage cars, though, and can say that this runs better and feels more put together than most (or possibly any) vintage English build. That's not a very high bar, I know. but it was good enough for me.
