Newbie with a serious tuning disorder.

[Stevie.w]

Hi Steve
Awesome project mate.

Is fitting a different motor into the car an absolute wiring nightmare.?? I've been looking at Bmw V8 engines on eBay wondering "daydreaming" if it would be a good idea for the z.

Seems fitting a supercharger to the 3.0 costs 3k, so a 2.5k V8 sounds a lot more fun. Part of me has a burning desire to have a V8 car :evil: :evil:

Thanks Yorkie.
The supercharger route is well proven and fairly pain free. Dropping in a whole new engine not designed for the vehicle is a minefield that's certainly had me scratching my head numerous times. The wiring for my project has turned out to be one of the simpler areas, thanks to Specialist Components excellent ecu they have configured to suit S65/S85 engines. There's a maximum of 14 wires to tie into the chassis loom, I've actually only have 12 to do to make it run. Two thirds of your 3k supercharger would be spent on the ecu and engine loom.
The tricky part is making the drive train fit with new engine crossmember, steering rack/column, engine mounts, clutch, gearbox mount, custom exhaust, new oil cooler setup, dip stick, complete new fuel system, radiator setup, induction, and the list is still growing.
I've had a quick tally up of my hrs and 500 wouldn't be unrealistic, if not more. Times that by £45 and I'm well shocked at a possible labour cost for something similar, as for parts including 6k for the car I'm sitting at £18,500.
So Yorkie V8 would be a very interesting car and in my opinion easier to install, it'll still be very costly.

 

[Stevie.w]

steve, I love this thread and this project, not many guys around who are capable of this calibre of mechanical wizardry. can I also say what a fantastic education and upbringing you are giving your boys too, they will already have more mechanical knowledge and ability than most people twice their age , to channel their energy into motorsport based projects mean they hone their skills off road therefore avoiding the possible crashes and speeding fines and points so many young drivers pick up through misplaced exhuberance . they will see the normal crews of boy racers doing their stuff on the street but wont need to prove anything as they will know they are far superior drivers and happy doing their racing on track. cant think of any better father and son's bonding than what you are doing. absolutely fantastic !!
when I was 21 I learnt loads putting a 55 split window morris minor an a jago pop chassis, with ford 289 v8 jag irs, vitesse ifs, a great way to learn cars and mechanics.. keep on modding ! you and they must be very proud.

Mad4slalom totally agree, I've had some awesome experiences with my boys and feel they have learned so much through trackdays/sprints. Our 10 day Alp road trip in June was another fantastic experience and the highlight so far, roll on next year cause my motor will have an extra 6cylinders to boot.
You wouldn't happen to have any pics of your split 55? Love old school motors

 

[Z4M-2006]

The E46 M3 aftermarket springs share the same spring rates as aftermarket Z4M springs (for the rear)

I questioned this with H&R and KW...

 

[mad4slalom]

The E46 M3 aftermarket springs share the same spring rates as aftermarket Z4M springs (for the rear)

I questioned this with H&R and KW...

i have one in primer photo somewhere , never hit the street as sold it to help fund opening a little auto paint shop in 1983. had an all steel flip front i made with new wings and front panel and existing bonnet, four inch overstock rear glass wings, are alloys with 275 and 295 tires , transit fuel tank home built 2.5 inch dual system with cherry bombs, 16 inch shortened prop mated to jag rear flange, mgb steering shaft uj modified to clear engine. sat in back seat, built own floors and removable tunnle to clear back of engine and c4 autobox, each bit like a mini project on its own. full of eagerness back then nothing seemed impossible. great days and learned a hell of a lot. the guy that bought it scrapped the minor body and tried to sit a glass cobra body on my chassis and running gear but you could see it wasnt going to work as needed a space frame , the r/h chassis rail was running right through the front seat area. really regret selling it as it was so close to finish, got out of spraying a couple of years later and now move antiques and pianos around. Happy days

 

[Stevie.w]

The E46 M3 aftermarket springs share the same spring rates as aftermarket Z4M springs (for the rear)

I questioned this with H&R and KW...

That's interesting about the spring rates. What I'm waiting for is a quote for KW coilovers direct from Germany, this I hope will be the desired route.

 

[Stevie.w]

The E46 M3 aftermarket springs share the same spring rates as aftermarket Z4M springs (for the rear)

I questioned this with H&R and KW...

i have one in primer photo somewhere , never hit the street as sold it to help fund opening a little auto paint shop in 1983. had an all steel flip front i made with new wings and front panel and existing bonnet, four inch overstock rear glass wings, are alloys with 275 and 295 tires , transit fuel tank home built 2.5 inch dual system with cherry bombs, 16 inch shortened prop mated to jag rear flange, mgb steering shaft uj modified to clear engine. sat in back seat, built own floors and removable tunnle to clear back of engine and c4 autobox, each bit like a mini project on its own. full of eagerness back then nothing seemed impossible. great days and learned a hell of a lot. the guy that bought it scrapped the minor body and tried to sit a glass cobra body on my chassis and running gear but you could see it wasnt going to work as needed a space frame , the r/h chassis rail was running right through the front seat area. really regret selling it as it was so close to finish, got out of spraying a couple of years later and now move antiques and pianos around. Happy days

Wow talk about talent, you practically built a car from the ground up. Shame it wasn't completed, could've been a bit of history.

 

[Stevie.w]

Well it's getting very close to the first start up of my V10 project . Area's covered are, coolant completed and filled/bled. Oil system fully plumbed in and filled/primed with £140 worth of Millers 10/60. Ecu and wiring completed (couple of connections still to do but nothing to tricky). Fuel system requires a relay connected to power up pumps and bleed system. I've powered up the ecu and spun over the engine and checked the wiring as far as possible, but I seem to have a issue with the fly by wire throttles. Bank 2 works always, bank1 very randomly. When they both work all the 10 throttles open and close together. Specialist Components are very helpful and on the case, fingers crossed.
There's a possibility I could be taking a few videos this weekend and posting up, or not

 

[Machine monkey]

I have my fingers crossed for you and because I can't wait to see and hear this crazy horse run!!

 

[mr wilks]

As mad as a box of frogs i am so looking forward to hearing this running & seeing it tear down the road :evil:
What kind of figures could be possible ?

 

[Stevie.w]

I have my fingers crossed for you and because I can't wait to see and hear this crazy horse run!!

Thanks Monkey, your not the only one. When I started this project I was hoping to have it up and running for April this year, so wrong was I. I reckon I'm about a year out, just goes to show even I can be unrealistic with project times.

 

[Stevie.w]

As mad as a box of frogs i am so looking forward to hearing this running & seeing it tear down the road :evil:
What kind of figures could be possible ?

Mr Wilks I've seen many conversions and people quoting anything between 550/580 bhp depending on exhaust and induction systems. I've made both setups as free flowing as possible so as to extract as much as possible. The custom fuel system I've made allows to up the fuel pressure and push it a little further, so who knows?

 

[Machine monkey]

I have my fingers crossed for you and because I can't wait to see and hear this crazy horse run!!

Thanks Monkey, your not the only one. When I started this project I was hoping to have it up and running for April this year, so wrong was I. I reckon I'm about a year out, just goes to show even I can be unrealistic with project times.

Ha ha we all do that!! My diff swap took 3 months!! Just had to keep cleaning and replacing things!!

 

[Stevie.w]

I have my fingers crossed for you and because I can't wait to see and hear this crazy horse run!!

Thanks Monkey, your not the only one. When I started this project I was hoping to have it up and running for April this year, so wrong was I. I reckon I'm about a year out, just goes to show even I can be unrealistic with project times.

Ha ha we all do that!! My diff swap took 3 months!! Just had to keep cleaning and replacing things!!

There's another job still to do, E46 M3 rear axle when sourced. The prop I sent to Reco prop who folded and is now with Propshaft services in London is still to be done. But I've just bought a E60 525 diesel prop and I'm going to attempt making it myself and them send off for balancing.

 

[Machine monkey]

You don't fancy just sticking a LSD in the original casing? The one I brought was rated for quite a few pony powers?

 

[BMWZ4MC]

You did well to get the prop back after the first company went under. I wish you could do this to my car :wub:

 

[Machine monkey]

You did well to get it back after the first company went under. I wish you could do this to my car :wub:

Indeed you where!! When if I turbo my car can I have your phone number!!!

 

[Stevie.w]

You don't fancy just sticking a LSD in the original casing? The one I brought was rated for quite a few pony powers?

The M3 axle is a bit shorter and works with the E92 M3 19" alloys I bought.

 

[Machine monkey]

Yeah I know what your saying!! I had to skim 2mm off the mounting face of my e46 alloys! Then add camber! Then trim the in arch quite a bit!! The axle change might be easier!!

In other news I had rep wheels like yours they look well just supper on a z4

 

[Stevie.w]

You did well to get it back after the first company went under. I wish you could do this to my car :wub:

An awful lot of work goes into these conversions that people don't see and costs would scare them if they were to be quoted . I don't think there will be a queue at my workshop door once mines is completed.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

That's why I'm only wishing Its going to be awesome when you're finished, but it must be a labour of love.