The Ultimate Driving Machine: the Honda K24 Swap for the BMW E36/E46

For the past four years, our master mechanic has been racing and refining his K24A swapped Ultimate Driving Machine BMW E36. What began as an experiment evolved into a pursuit of perfection, testing multiple engine layouts to achieve optimal weight distribution and handling.

Various configurations were explored, including lowering the engine subframe or moving the steering rack forward for clearance. While these helped with fitment, they disrupted suspension geometry, negatively affecting Ackermann, toe, and steering response.

After extensive track testing (and top 10 race finishes in Gridlife GLTC Competition Racing), we finalized the design that became the foundation of the KPower E36/E46 K Swap Package, we capitalized on the 154-pound weight savings of a fully dressed KPower component equipped K24A2 by moving the transmission forward just 3.5 inches, placing it in line with cylinders 2 through 5 of the original M52 engine, then lowered the entire drivetrain by 0.5 inch.

All of this allowed us the keep the steering rack and subframe in their factory locations, while giving the car phenomenal hood and ground clearance.

Here are some key details of the KPower BMW E36/E46 K Swap components we will be offering:

• KPower custom aluminum oil pan that cradles the factory engine subframe and steering rack
  
  • K20 Oil pump conversion is required 
    
• KPower aluminum driveshaft spacer to retain your factory 2 piece driveshaft and center carrier bearing with support for Getrag 5, ZF5, and ZF6 transmissions
• KPower shifter plate base for E36/E46
• KPower custom length DSSR shift linkage for Getrag 5, ZF5, and ZF6 transmissions
• KPower front sway bar relocation brackets
  • Must use front shock mounted sway bar end links
• KPower 15 degree offset Transmission steel adapter plate (.500" thick) for K to BMW Getrag 5, ZF5, or ZF6
• KPower K to Getrag 5, ZF5, ZF6 flywheel
  • Must use 240mm E46 5-speed clutch kit (2001-2006 330i)
    
• KPower DBW bracket to allow use of the E46 pedal in E36 vehicles

Save on your swap by purchasing our Race Package, which includes the KPower cast intake manifold, the foundation of any RWD K Swap, along with everything needed to convert to drive-by-wire, including the idle air control block-off plate, KPower 74mm throttle body adapter, and Bosch 74mm throttle body. We also offer supporting accessories like the coolant neck, flywheel dust shield, and your choice of header or ARTEC turbo manifold.

For the past 5 years, we have been convinced drive-by-wire is the best route to go with a K series engine build, this can be done easily for older E36 cars by utilizing an E46 gas pedal. So for that reason we are pairing our Haltech S2 Universal Electronics Package as the desired option to complete your build.

Stay tuned, this swap will be available in late November 2025!