v8 conversion fitment issues. possible sticky for u lot???
by
dj on Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:55 pm
thought this might be handy for ppl. its not a complete list as im shattered but ill add to this as i go. saves me keeping all my notes on paperwork as well.
m62 or m60 engine only. m5 engine is possible but the intake manifold fouls the bonnet. fits the same but youd need a power bulge like the e46 m3 for it.
okay you need custom engine mounts for the car to physically fit. alpina make them but they are 330 quid each without the vat. best bet is to take some e34 v8 engine mounts and chop the ends off. weld on part of an e36 mount and u will have a good template.
oil sump bulge is at the wrong end of the engine for an e36 fit but perfect for an e30 in case your wondering. anyways youll need either a dry sump or modify the existing pan. alpina do their own oil pump to save you having to mod the pump as well. not too bad price wise for that either. a ton or so.
okay the early m60s dont have ews so that avoids a major problem in my eyes. however they do have nikasil so the majority were replaced. if u can find a good alusil replacement your cracking.
the m62 is a much improved unit and will easily outstrip an m3 evo whether it be 0-60 or top end. simply no comparison. ive got a small vid clip of a b8 maintaining a constand gap in front of an e39 m5 at speeds of excess 140 which always makes me smile.
back on topic now. the m62 uses a throttle potentiometer in a fly by wire system. this was only in post 98 engines so if u can get an earlier version it makes it sooo much easier to install. if u choose not to go via this route youll need the m62 engine but the 4.0l throttle body and ecu. adjust the fueling and make sure it recognises the throttle and you should be fine. id go for an early m62 engine tho tbh.
manifolds. the exhaust headers are the only issue here once you have the engine sitting nicely on its new mounts. cylinders 1-4 are the possible problems. rhd cars have the column on this side and im not 100% that they clear the column. rather than mess around with the column if you look closely at the manifolds youll see 2 clear weld lines after the intial collection point. id suggest breaking these and getting an exhaust place or machine shop to fabricate a small bend in the pipes to accomodate the column. much easier and cheap too.
you can use your exisiting abs unit but youll need to extend the wiring on it. otherwise u can use the e39 unit as long as you get it with the block and incorporate it.
oil filter can be engine mounted or remote like in the e39s. the engine will just about clear the mc and servo so ignore everyone that says it wont.
steering column needs to be from a 325tds e36 to withstand the heat from the engine. there isnt much clearance so id say deffo do this straight away.
any 6 cylinder radiator will work and alpina sell all the cooling pipes for peanuts thankfully to make getting it all mounted right that little bit easier. for gods sake dont tell them that your doing this sort of mod tho cos theyll tell you nothing then!
viscous coupling and fan are off other models and iirc there e31 units. ill confirm later in the week when i trawl thru my notes.
air intake is mounted on the offside of the e36 and you will have to move your washer bottle. id use a cone filter and heatshield tho and this will give you enough room not to have to move anything. up to you entirely tho.
think that covers the engine bay.
before you install the engine mount the gearbox to it. alpina use the s6s 420g variant but an e34 v8 manual variant will work fine as well. this will affect your propshaft choice so choose carefully.
anyways whatever box you use alpina sell the gearbox mount for peanuts again. buy that and mount the box up with the engine loosely supported. it will enable you to get the engine mounts and manifolds done precisely to keep that oem look to the bay.
propshaft will be m3 3.0l or evo variant depending on e34 box or e39. whichever prop u choose u also need the same subframe to ensure no messing about. only a few bolts and the entire subframe will drop off. swap over and job done.
alpina sell the linkage as well and youll have change out of 50 notes for the lot. they cover pretty much everything for this conversion but the engine side of things as you can imagine is massively expensive. other bits are wonderfully affordable.
get the downpipes with the e39 cats when you get the engine. any decent exhaust place can cut and reweld these for a perfect fit. youll need a custom pipe set leading to your backbox. 2 o2 sensors and it might be worthwhile getting new ones in as you fit the lot to ensure the engine runs right from the start.
electrics isnt my forte im afraid. wiring is straight forward tho im told. ews can be an issue but im sure most competant garages can sort this if not the guys on here certainly can id imagine.
not sure if ive missed anything so just shout if u have questions or anything.
hope this helps clear a few things up.
ill update this with anything else i think of as i go thru my stuff here.
can you keep this as a sticky as much for my own reference purposes as much as for everybody else?
cheers
david