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Why do I like posting American V8 swaps to German cars? Well, in part it’s because they’re a fantastic performance value. In dollar per horsepower produced, it’s just downright hard to beat a package like the GM “LS” line. Yes, they’re a blunt tool compared to the precision work that typically characterized the stock motors the original car came with – but sometimes, you just need or want a big hammer. The “LS” wasn’t just a a unintelligent lump of iron, though – with aluminum construction, they’re often lighter than the engines that they replace. Two of the favorite chassis to stick these engines in are two of the best regarded, best handling chassis out of the box that enthusiasts love to modify – the Porsche 944 Turbo and the BMW M3:
The other day, Paul wrote up a 1998 M3 Sedan being sold by the premium dealer Enthusiast Auto Group. This isn’t that car, so if you’re looking for the best sedan available you’re better off looking at that post. However, if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, this sedan might fill the need. While the E36s didn’t get the full-fat M motors that Europe saw, this particular example has rectified that motivational issue by replacing the venerable inline-6 with a Chevy 6.0 V8 hybrid and mated it to a Tremec 6-speed manual. Interested? I was: