When you’re young, everything is a relatively new experience. But as you get older, you start to recognize the patterns. And life naturally offers fewer types of experiences you haven’t had before. To a certain extent, that’s wisdom kicking in – and it’s a good thing! But wisdom can often feel like monotony. So the key is: Don’t let your wisdom kill your exuberance. Rather – combine forces! And if-&-when you feel it all getting kinda routine… deliberately throw yourself into new & exciting endeavors… using on what you love, what you’ve lived, and what you know!

That’s Brian Matsuda’s philosophy…

Brian keeps the passion peaked & the curiosity strong. And when he gets a weird/creative itch in the back of his head… he absolutely has to scratch it. Brian created ArtnD as an outlet to exercise his imagination & skills to their limits. ArtnD creates eccentric, custom-commissioned parts & cars that typical aftermarket companies would never really imagine… or quickly deem as impossible, not profitable, and/or just too damn hard.

So why an E34 BMW?

Brian Matsuda grew up in an E34 BMW… and the car just wouldn’t die. Like ever. That left an imprint on young Brian. When his childhood friends’ parents would have car trouble, he noticed his own parent’s E34 BMW just kept running like a clock. Even if it broke… it kept running somehow. In the late 80s & early 90s, BMW was not great at cost-cutting. Except for the door panels lol, everything was overbuilt. And that created a superb fanbase-driven car brand. Some would say, it created the ultimate driving machine. You just don’t see as much ‘pride in your product’ in modern auto industry.

So Brian was looking to set up a race program for recreational guys. Something that wasn’t high cost & complication. Just put your damn helmet on & have fun – the old school way. Why? Because it’s nice when hobbies are cheaper & simpler, without so many strings attached. In fact, some would call it freedom. And for casual tracking – the E34 BMW is wonderful/affordable platform. Keyword: Casual.

Honda K swap…

So in typical fashion, Brian Matsuda started flicking dominos on his E34 BMW. He treats cars like science projects, and the scientific method got the best of him. Brain added a little grip (sticky tires). Then he added power, and started driving it harder & harder. In other words, it got more than casual. And the result was – he found the weak links. Brian inevitably started breaking everything – including motors – far too often.

Brian settled into the idea of a Honda Performance Development (HPD) crate TCR engine. This is the race engine that was supplied for a few years to TCR and Formula Americas. So – it’s not a typical junkyard pull-out. It’s a K20C1 block, and it comes with a tuned ECU, harness, all the sensors, and an FK8 throttle pedal. The crate package is designed to be plug-n-play. In theory – feed it 12-volts, gas, and GO! The cooling systems are FK8 race parts – Wagner intercooler & Koyo radiator. ArtnD partnered with The Werks to make the v-mount cooling setup, which can be removed from the top as one unit with 4 bolts. They also worked together creating engine mounts for the E34 chassis.

BMW Transmission…

ArtnD & The Werks put their heads together again to make a transmission adapter that would Frankenstein a 2009 BMW 335i 6-speed trans to the 2018 TCR engine. These transmissions are known for their engaging experience, AND they’re robust, handling high power/torque. Brian’s using a 3.64 rear diff with clutch pates off a Porsche 964.

Brakes & suspension…

In front, Brian’s E34 is using Honda FK8 Type-R calipers with E90 M3 rotors. On the rear, it’s got Porsche 996 calipers with E46 M3 rotors. And – Brian’s running twin tilted brake bias master cylinders so he can adjust brake bias front/rear on the fly (yellow dial on the dash). Suspension-wise – the car has Redshift coilovers with custom camber plates & suspension geometry correction parts (by ArtnD & Gangl Motorsport).

E34 size, style, & weight…

The 5 Series E34 BMW presented itself as a larger sport sedan, but it’s really not that big… especially not by modern standards. Overall – this specific E34 has 400 pounds of weight reduction (so far), sitting just under 3,000 pounds. Brian’s dream-flex is get it under 2,800 pounds, while still retaining full interior & AC.

The front fenders were pulled 1-inch, and the rear quarters were pulled a half inch by Brain. Then he took the E34 to The Werks, where they finished them off smooth for paint. Carter at The Werks customized the front & rear bumpers as well. The rear wing is AC Schnitzer, with risers by ArtnD. Look closely, and the Hella light caps are not real. Instead – they’re cooling vents made to appear like Hella caps. The passenger’s side routes to the oil cooler. And the driver’s side goes to the steering box. Since the E34 no longer runs hi-beams… Brian upgraded the regular headlights to bi-xenon projectors.

Brain Matsuda is a calculated type of car builder…

As mentioned, he treats project cars like science projects. See, a lot of us become biased to our dreams, theories, and results. And naturally so… we put a lot of work into them. There’s a natural human bias to want to believe it’s all worth it. But Brian Matsuda doesn’t do that. And there’s a refreshing, somewhat shocking honesty there. He’ll be the first to tell ya…

This is not the best road car. The HPD ECU is overly protective (and locked). And Brian says low throttle drivability is sh¡t. But – it’s a crate HPD race engine, what can you expect? On the plus side, the car is quicker & lighter! With the K20C1, the E34 BMW feels noticeably lighter in the nose. Probably 150 pounds lighter in the nose between the engine & carbon fiber hood. Brian mentioned it almost feels like an E30 now, but with ~375 horsepower of punch. Very sharp & fun… and surprisingly FAST. Overall – it’s a fantastic track car, and a not-so-great road car… even with full interior & electric AC. But for Brian, the goal is to analyze results (both pros & cons)… and not marry yourself to the idea of better or worse. He predicts a standalone ECU will enable it to be a much better road car. But simultaneously, he realizes that likely no car manufacturer is gonna make a truly analog/raw EV anytime soon. And the thought of building one just to blend science & punk rock defiance – puts that itch in the back of his head again.