These BMWs From CA Tuned Are For The Power-Hungry
Owner: Igor Polischuk
Year, Make, and Model: 1976 BMW 2002 & 1990 BMW 325is
Location: Sacramento, California
Photographer: Courtney Cutchen
Let’s discuss the 2002 first. Or perhaps we should call it an S2002? You see, this is the first BMW 2002 to have had the original drivetrain swapped out for Honda’s high revving F20C, originally found in the S2000. And when the original 240hp proved to be inadequate, it was fitted with a turbo running ten pounds of boost, good for producing 404HP at the wheels. This car is just RAW power. It’s a go-cart on wheels. It’s not a show car. It’s function over form and it’s loud and uncomfortable.
In spite of the bonkers power though, Mr. Igor Polischuk insists that, “it’s not over the top. It’s mostly simple. People have to look for a bit to realize what we’ve done. They do a double take and then a triple take. Then they yell out, “What have you done?!” and curse a bit while yelling at their buddy to take a look.”
And even though Igor spotted the 2002 sitting outside, atop a hill rather easily it took a bit more work to get the car. The previous owner had restored the M10 and then the brakes went out. So he parked it and it just sat there for seven years. After about seven or eight months of trying, he finally agreed to sell it to Igor and CA Tuned. They always wanted a 2002 and this was the very first one they picked up. And even though it makes over four hundred horsepower it gets driven nearly every day. “It’s the most fun you can have, compared to most other cars. Surprisingly it hasnt gotten us in trouble, other then blowing up a few rear ends.”
The 325is is no dog, either. The vehicle was transformed from a junkyard relic to a multiple award-winning car. Coupled with the 2002, one starts to see a thread of quality and performance built into every machine. It actually started with Igor’s dad who worked in metal tooling in the former USSR and exposed Igor to cars and fabrication at a young age. But as Igor says, “What started as a hobby has become an obsession. The pure joy of driving what you built.” He’s had many E30s but this was the one he transformed and saved. It was bought through an auction at one of those places that people donate their cars to for a tax write-off. Had he not stepped in, it likely would have gone to a ‘Pick a-Part’ and it would have eventually been crushed.
It’s not short on performance either as it’s equipped with an S50 (E36 M3) engine and a VF Engineering supercharger. The entire suspension and brake system has also been upgraded (along with virtually every part on the car), lest you think this is just about straight-line performance.
Igor loves driving it in the hills because of how it corners and the sound of the exhaust bouncing off the mountains. It just puts a smile on his face. If you’d like to see these cars in person and are in the SoCal area, they’ll be at Bimmerfest (Pasadena, CA) this coming weekend. The S2002 will be in the CA Tuned booth and the E30 will be in the VF Engineering booth. If you’d like to see more of their work right now, click here.
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