Trackday V8 car

[Rickjames]

Just a quick question. Don't know if anyone will be able to help me or not. I'm thinking about sticking a V8 engine in to an E30, M62 or M60 4.0L. I think (need to do some more research on that one!)

Even though it's a V8 therefore being a pretty big engine I believe it's still a light engine for it's size. Would this type of conversion be suitable as a trackday car in people's opinion or too heavy for the track?

[Dan318-is]

from what iv read, due to alloy blocks and slightly more modern design the m6x engines are lighter than m30s, and technically are only four cylinders long not six so there would be less weight over the front axle. Theretically of course; if the rest of the car was pretty much bare shell im sure it would be fine

i remember one of my favourite ever e30s was a blue m3 at ace cafe with an m60 in and the noise and speed were unbelievable!

[Rickjames]

Bet it sounded lovely!!


Really want to go ahead and do this conversion, I've been moved nearer home with my job so I'm going to save the money up that I would normally have spent on fuel and get the conversion done, hopefully nearer the end of the year sometime.

Thanks for that Dan.

[jkarran]

M60 in a 5 series is rapid, would be awesome in an E30.

There's a couple of threads running at the moment covering the conversion and its specific problems. Getting one that isn't shafted by the Nikasil problem or failed VANOS and does have a manual box would be the first hurdle to overcome. M62B44 doesn't seem to have the Nikasil issue (some might, take that with a pinch of salt!).

I guess the S62 is pretty similar in size, there's a thread on fitting that too

Shell wise if you're going to track it, I assume you'd be upgrading to M3 running gear but if not then something with disks all round would seem to be a wise starting point. You'll need an lsd as well.

Enjoy your research,
jk

[Gravy]

I've got an M60 4.0, nikasil lined but I've stripped it and it looks ok - manual gearboxes are a nightmare to locate at reasonable money, I'm still looking!

I beleive that the Nikasil 4.0ltr blocks have the engine number 172 5963 and 174 2998 and the Alusil 4.0ltr blocks are 174 5872.

Hope that helps with your search mate, good luck!

[bigpimpin]

bigdek is doing this conversion at the moment so maybe ask him.

Does the v8 have a vanos?

I have an E34 540i Manual 6 speed but apart from nikasil and oil pump bolts loosening i've not heard of any other common probs.

[leftcoaste30]

What about the exhaust manifold on the left side, wouldn't that create an issue I would think... Since they only came out on the right side of the car in the 6 cylinders as well as 4 cylinders

[jkarran]

I have an E34 540i Manual 6 speed but apart from nikasil and oil pump bolts loosening i've not heard of any other common probs.

Mmmm wish I had a manual box for mine, the auto wont shift down if you have more than about 15deg of lock on the steering wheel... pesky german spoilsports

Fuel consumption on mine is awful ~15mpg (driven fairly hard). So bad I suspect there's something wrong, maybe failed lambda probe, default safe mode would be to run rich I guess?

jk

[nickso]

What about the exhaust manifold on the left side, wouldn't that create an issue I would think... Since they only came out on the right side of the car in the 6 cylinders as well as 4 cylinders

it would be the right side that causes problems over here mate.

bigdek reckons the rhs manifold is tight but works ok.

[bigdek]

nearside manifold is an easy mod to get to fit .

offside is no good and is a fooking nightmare

[nickso]

ah...i clearly wasnt reading right then derek....knew it was bad but didnt know it was a nightmare