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E24 engine swaps

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:16 am
by raffi91
I read that you can fit a BMW V12 from a 850 in a e24 chassis what else would fit with little to no modifications as far as BMW engines from later years?

Re: E24 engine swaps

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:35 am
by Oz6er
raffi91 wrote:I read that you can fit a BMW V12 from a 850 in a e24 chassis what else would fit with little to no modifications as far as BMW engines from later years?
Required a fair bit of modification but check it out: E39 M5 V8

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:02 pm
by shazbot996
OMG. What a beast. And no room to spare in the engine bay ;) I thought my S38 filled the bay pretty well. Sheesh.

Wonder what it's like to drive. How does the weight on that engine compare, I wonder? Curious if it turns into a nose heavy tank? I don't care for lead sleds.

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:25 pm
by german performance inc
shazbot ,are you considering a swap or just curious ?

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:11 pm
by shazbot996
hah...very much just curious. Couldn't fathom such a move

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:30 am
by The Sixer Kid
Here are some facts for y'all:

M30: ~320lbs
M70: ~350lbs
M60(tu): ~310lbs

t
The M70 is old technology. It takes a lot of money to maintain. While a marvel of technology for its time, its was Bmw's first attempt at a V-12. Most parts a V-12 specific and as such, they cost a lot of money. There is much more support for the M30 (performance and maintenance) even though its older.

The M60/M62 are great v-8's bu they come with a hole slew of problems: Nikasil, Vanos failure.... Fact is, you don't see all that many 200k+ miles v-8's because they were at the beginning of the development stage (so to speak) in comparison to the M30's or even the s38's.

Here are some things to consider with a swap:

Harness modification
OBD1/OBD2 compatibility
Driveshaft modification
Transmission mounting
Possible Steering Box Relocation
A/C compatibility
Oil Pan Modification

For the average DIYer this really isn't feasible unless you have superior tools, workspace and a lot of patience.

Off the top of my head, I'd say you'd be looking at a minimum of $3000-$4000 just to get the motor to fit and function correctly. And once you get everything to fit just right you're still left with a used motor.

I'd say your money would be better spent going with forced induction for the M30 (300+)whp or nice N/A build with an s38 (275+)whp

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:57 am
by Sparks Factory
the m70 is pretty bulletproof. everyone knocks it but its been said that every red blooded car enthusiast should own a 12 cylinder car once in his life. The harness integration will kill you on them though.

ive honestly seen quite a few 200K+ m62's. The alloy block cars had their problems, at this point though theyve been shredded or replaced with fresh motors. its a compact, lightweight motor. your biggest issue is getting the bellhosung to go with a 5 speed, or spending the coin for a 6 speed. its at the point where theyre available for reasonable money, doing the harness is the biggest part of the equation, otherwise you have a lighter motor and a nice v8 rumble.

Every car/motor has its problems, but at this point in the game, why not try something different?

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:08 pm
by Brucey
check out the M70 engined car in the for sale section.

Before you get too excited, the car is in Poland, the tranny is n/s, and it is......

....yellow..... :shock:

cheers

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:14 pm
by sixermanny
since we are Talking swap.. maybe others could chime in on what they think is the best direct (not requiring engine compartment mods etc) engine swap? I have a 633 and its time for a change...I could rebuild, but that's all i could do. I"m thinking direct swap here and feasibility here! :)

E.

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:07 pm
by Brucey
a bigger, better M30 is an obvious choice.

Or one with a blower.....

Or an M635 motor.

After this it gets to be more aggro....

think carefully about budget (time and money) as well as the end result before you start; plenty of folk don't and the result is a car which never goes again....

cheers

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:15 pm
by sixermanny
Hey Brucey...thanks! Someonce once said to put a 540i engine in it. ever heard of someone doing that? I'm a casual driver at the end of the day, but my mechanic keeps saying that if your going to change the engine, since swapping is the hardest part, put the best one if you can instead of just putting in a better M30. I think i asked this awhile back but the best m30 would be out of an '92 735?

thanks
e

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:56 pm
by The Sixer Kid
sixermanny wrote:Hey Brucey...thanks! Someonce once said to put a 540i engine in it. ever heard of someone doing that? I'm a casual driver at the end of the day, but my mechanic keeps saying that if your going to change the engine, since swapping is the hardest part, put the best one if you can instead of just putting in a better M30. I think i asked this awhile back but the best m30 would be out of an '92 735?

thanks
e
1) Throw in an M30b35.

2) Turbocharge car

3) Enjoy more power than than the M60, M70, S38, M88...

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:21 am
by 87L6
thesixerkid wrote:
sixermanny wrote:Hey Brucey...thanks! Someonce once said to put a 540i engine in it. ever heard of someone doing that? I'm a casual driver at the end of the day, but my mechanic keeps saying that if your going to change the engine, since swapping is the hardest part, put the best one if you can instead of just putting in a better M30. I think i asked this awhile back but the best m30 would be out of an '92 735?

thanks
e
1) Throw in an M30b35.

2) Turbocharge car

3) Enjoy more power than than the M60, M70, S38, M88...
True. But an M70 is sooo cool. Hopefully someday I have enough money and property to wedge mine in something it doesn't belong in...

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:57 am
by Big Bronze Rim
thesixerkid wrote:
sixermanny wrote:Hey Brucey...thanks! Someonce once said to put a 540i engine in it. ever heard of someone doing that? I'm a casual driver at the end of the day, but my mechanic keeps saying that if your going to change the engine, since swapping is the hardest part, put the best one if you can instead of just putting in a better M30. I think i asked this awhile back but the best m30 would be out of an '92 735?

thanks
e
1) Throw in an M30b35.

2) Turbocharge car

3) Enjoy more power than than the M60, M70, S38, M88...
I agree with this wholeheartedly.

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:01 am
by The Sixer Kid
Big Bronze Rim wrote:
thesixerkid wrote:
sixermanny wrote:Hey Brucey...thanks! Someonce once said to put a 540i engine in it. ever heard of someone doing that? I'm a casual driver at the end of the day, but my mechanic keeps saying that if your going to change the engine, since swapping is the hardest part, put the best one if you can instead of just putting in a better M30. I think i asked this awhile back but the best m30 would be out of an '92 735?

thanks
e
1) Throw in an M30b35.

2) Turbocharge car

3) Enjoy more power than than the M60, M70, S38, M88...
I agree with this wholeheartedly.
Spoken like a true turbo owner 8) 8)

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:46 am
by sharkfan
Are there any supercharged M30 engines out there....... :shock:

Sharkfan

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:45 pm
by Big Bronze Rim
I've seen a couple of SC'd big sixes but most of the projects never make it off the ground. Turbos are far more fun anyway. :wink:

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:24 pm
by The Sixer Kid
There was a member here who had a S/C'd e24. The biggest problem comes from trying to find a place to mount the thing.

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:07 pm
by Big Bronze Rim
thesixerkid wrote:There was a member here who had a S/C'd e24. The biggest problem comes from trying to find a place to mount the thing.
Especially if you intend to keep AC.

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:11 am
by raffi91
Cant remember where i found this but this is the only SC set up ive seen on a e24.

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:12 am
by raffi91
Another angle

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:14 am
by The Sixer Kid
Good God thats a mess!

Much cleaner:
Image

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:22 am
by raffi91
O ya! look at that custom inlet for the SC. I hope those welds are strong enough.

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:35 am
by horsetan
So actually there's not a great deal of room for add-ons..... :shock:

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:52 pm
by M635forever
Just put in a M106 from a E23 745iA,boost the turbo to 1Bar.....then you got the perfect toy....