1.9 Wide Body 2.8 Conversion

[hard top]

A chap in The Netherlands is doing this and says the 2.8 engine drops straight in.

We are busy with my z3 1.9 small body to build to a 2.8 wide-body pffffff end insight.

​

 

[windym]

Thats interesting, I am looking at BMW V8/10 options at the moment, I guess a tuned 2.8 may be more viable than what I was thinking.


Andy

 

[5harp3y]

Pointless in my opinion

Don't build what you can buy.

Cheaper, easy, smarter just to buy a 2.8

@windym just look at @Tommy Bates if you need inspiration for power

 

[hard top]

If it is a thing you want to do and it is your hobby, why not?

 

[Brian4]

BMW say they design their cars to be able to take any engine in their current production, hence this

http://blog.caranddriver.com/m-gmbh-reveals-mystery-v12-powered-bmw-z3-prototype/


The biggest problem fitting other engines is connecting the engine management system to the car electronics and wiring anything can be done if you have the knowledge time and money.

Or even this
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=418262

 

[t-tony]

That's the key @Brian4 . Anything is possible if money's no object.

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

I say why not. If it's about enjoyment and the challenge and you have the pennies to support that go for it. Most enthusiast owned cars owe a lot more than they are worth. Par of course really.

 

[hard top]

The biggest problem fitting other engines is connecting the engine management system to the car electronics and wiring

He stated that the above would be the only thing that would take longer than putting the engine in but he saw it as no problem what so ever.

 

[Dino D]

As for costs, other European countries don't have cheap cars like us. My £10k e46 would have fetched €40k Euro in Greece back in 2006 (and been the only one the country!).
It can be cheaper to convert a car in other countries.
In the UK of course we are lucky with low prices (but the weather is the trade off!)

 

[windym]

BMW say they design their cars to be able to take any engine in their current production, hence this

http://blog.caranddriver.com/m-gmbh-reveals-mystery-v12-powered-bmw-z3-prototype/


The biggest problem fitting other engines is connecting the engine management system to the car electronics and wiring anything can be done if you have the knowledge time and money.

Or even this
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=418262

Hi, am I right in thinking that the Z3 only has one wiring loom for all models. So if this is the case all mounts, suspension, radiators brakes are interchangeable.

Andy

 

[t-tony]

That's a good question Andy, I don't know the answer but if it's true that would make an engine transplant much simpler I reckon.

Tony.

 

[Brian4]

Hi, am I right in thinking that the Z3 only has one wiring loom for all models. So if this is the case all mounts, suspension, radiators brakes are interchangeable.

Andy

I would say the facelift or prefacelift models will be the same. There will be some differences The later M54 engines had no throttle cable so fitting the 2.2 or 3.0 is different.
Mine is wired for the onboard computer and clock but the obc connector is different to the prefacelift car. The seat connectors are different.

 

[windym]

I have a 2000 facelift but the wiring loom is the same as the pre-face lift. I found this out when I changed the seats, so by that reckoning there has to be adaptors for retro-fitting various items.


Andy

 

[t-tony]

I have a 2000 facelift but the wiring loom is the same as the pre-face lift. I found this out when I changed the seats, so by that reckoning there has to be adaptors for retro-fitting various items.


Andy

Only provisors being if they are still available, some bits are already obsolete for early E85's mate.

Tony.

 

[hard top]

As for costs, other European countries don't have cheap cars like us.

Spot on Dino, example, Auto Trader NL, cheapest 2.8.....July 1998..€ 5.950,-

1.9.....April 1996..€ 2.890,-

 

[Brian4]

I have a 2000 facelift but the wiring loom is the same as the pre-face lift. I found this out when I changed the seats, so by that reckoning there has to be adaptors for retro-fitting various items.


Andy

Hi Andy did your seats have the big yellow connectors. BMW did a lot of strange things around the changeover. also is the reg date 200 or build date?

 

[windym]

Hi Andy did your seats have the big yellow connectors. BMW did a lot of strange things around the changeover. also is the reg date 200 or build date?

Hi, no yellow connectors all pre facelift wiring, mine was on the changeover so new style body but all the left overs.

Andy

 

[madleemark]

worthwhile if you want to keep the car you have but want the bigger engine, and with the pre facelift 1.9, a z3m look could easily be achieved. a 2.8 engine is possibly an easier engine to use in terms of price and availability.
its still a lot of work tho

 

[littlefeller]

my son in law picked up a 2.8 7 series for £70, runs fine and he drives it daily, yes it has small issues like small pieces of trim missing and these parts are as rare as chickens teeth, it has lacquer peeling and the odd blister, but what im getting at is if you can find a donor then it doesnt need to be expensive.

 

[smiffy]

It's probably the easiest and most cost effective move to 6 cylinders. I've not looked at engine weights but suspect the springs may need changing to compensate for changing corner weights.

I'd probably have swapped the inlet manifold of one off a 2.5 while the engine was out.