1.9 Wide Body 2.8 Conversion

[windym]

is that the S70/2 you are thinking of? If it is, I'd suggest an LSD!

Hi it would be the 760 v12 from the same time as mine. So far the main problem would be the loading which is 70/30.
I guess this would make the car very ass happy, need to check the weight of the v8 and find out the loading on that.

 

[oldcarman]

HT I THINK IT's funny the fellow thought dropping the 2.8 in wouldn't have been easy! After all they came stock built with one. Nothing you said was funny in the least! JIM

 

[windym]

Had some time to think about this the V12 is out due to the weighting front/back 70/30. So been thinking of a simpler solution and a tuned 2.8, had a look around the net and come up with this, what do you guys think?

My cat back exhaust will be fine I spoke to the guys who fitted it they can build me a 6-2-1 exhaust with a sport cat. This will free up in their opinion around plus 8-12 HP and combined with my Simota I should get plus 12-18 HP. Also a great sound, I did not want the hassle of de-cat and changing for the mot.

Looking at the Manifold change to an M50 net figures are plus 20-25 HP, (not sure if this is accurate)

Bigger bore throttle body again net figures are difficult to find but combined with the induction and exhaust plus 1-2HP

Removing the viscous fan going to electric and A/C again net figure of plus 4-6 HP

Sports Anti vibration engine mounts just to smooth things out and I will have to replace these anyway, so no real power gains.

I am having all the bushes (power flex) and suspension changed and possibly thicker anti roll rear

Engine remap of 8% ish

Still have cams to explore but I want to enjoy driving in town as well as in the country so for reliability and sanity will leave these for the mo, un less there is a very good option.

So standard engine 193HP with all the above at the minimum expected gains should increase to about 241HP, with loads more usable torque.

Another thing I am looking at is using a 6 speed gearbox from a Z4 if this is possible and 325i brakes front and rear if these have sufficient stopping power. May well have to go for drilled and grooved discs.

If I have left anything out I would appreciate peoples input.

@Lee @GazHyde @pgunter

Andy

 

[madleemark]

a 2.8 has got to be easiest way to go, the front arb is larger diameter I believe, I have an m50 manifold on mine, and quite a free flowing exhaust, had a fancy air filter on but took it off and went back to the stock airbox with some extra holes, seems to run nicer that way, its quick enough for what it is, and still quite easy on the pocket to run, ive never thought the stock 2.8 brakes were not up to the job, kept in good working order, a 6th gear would be a bonus, but not essential, my last car was 1.9 z3, loved it, and would have liked to put a 6pot in it, but I don't have the time needed or anywhere to do it. a cheap doner car I think would be a great start, you can hear the engine running and maybe drive it, you would then have everything parts wise and could sell the parts you have left.
a turbo or supercharger maybe the way for a big gain in power, nitros is also a fairly easy way to more go!
hope ive not gone on to much

 

[Brian H]

I don't think the looms in the cars at the same in the engine bay, 4 cyl has a common coil peak, 6cyl has individual coil packs etc. There is a large connection box in front of the bulkhead it is a major connection point for the loom, I think this could be where the commonality ends.

if it's your dream....do it, if it were me I'd buy a donar car and use for parts, you'll save a fortune

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

I don't think the looms in the cars at the same in the engine bay, 4 cyl has a common coil peak, 6cyl has individual coil packs etc. There is a large connection box in front of the bulkhead it is a major connection point for the loom, I think this could be where the commonality ends.

if it's your dream....do it, if it were me I'd buy a donar car and use for parts, you'll save a fortune

I vote for a donar car too!

 

[madleemark]

the rev counter will probably have to be a 6 pot one, the gearbox is different, a doner is definitely the way foreward

 

[Grumps]

For the bhp you are hoping to squeeze from a 2.8 would dropping a 3.0 in then doing the engine mods be a better option? I don't know I'm no mechanic just a thought.

 

[Brian H]

For the bhp you are hoping to squeeze from a 2.8 would dropping a 3.0 in then doing the engine mods be a better option? I don't know I'm no mechanic just a thought.

+1

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

For the bhp you are hoping to squeeze from a 2.8 would dropping a 3.0 in then doing the engine mods be a better option? I don't know I'm no mechanic just a thought.

although slightly biased with a 2.8 doner car for sale, I would imagine the 3.0 would be prohibitive based on cost.

The 2.8 is a lump in various 3 series and Z3 series in the e36 era, therefore more common, therefore cheaper.

The 3.0 is less prevalent.

Never driven a 3.0, but the 2.8 is a great car to drive.

 

[Grumps]

although slightly biased with a 2.8 doner car for sale, I would imagine the 3.0 would be prohibitive based on cost.

The 2.8 is a lump in various 3 series and Z3 series in the e36 era, therefore more common, therefore cheaper.

The 3.0 is less prevalent.

Never driven a 3.0, but the 2.8 is a great car to drive.

Don't get me wrong Andy I love my 2.8 but the 3.0 is 50 odd bhp more to start with and if @windym can get another 50 odd out of it by various mods it'll make a fast car which is what he is trying to achieve.

 

[littlefeller]

you will need the 6 pot clocks too, dont think the 4 pot ones will work.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Don't get me wrong Andy I love my 2.8 but the 3.0 is 50 odd bhp more to start with and if @windym can get another 50 odd out of it by various mods it'll make a fast car which is what he is trying to achieve.

Oh no complaint from me mate, the more BHP the better, just not sure what price a 3.0 rolling shell goes for in comparison to a 2.8.

They are quote rare in comparison, so might be out of budget, but I don't know the budget.

 

[Brian H]

Supercharger on the 3.0i gets another 97bhp, ///M territory.

 

[windym]

Hi guys, sorry @spurs fan in a coupe meant to call tonight got taken out for a curry. I think sticking to the 2.8 and playing about with engine mods makes more sense to me. Defiantly cheaper than my other options and as I want to do this in stages I think will be less stress to get the car finished.

I am going to start getting the bits together while doing the bushes/suspension cooling before the running gear, that way I still get to enjoy the car, the biggest pain will be getting the car up to the exhaust guys for them to build the front sections. I want to fit a new wide mouth front bumper with splitters and oil cooler, need to work out if the stock 2.8 brakes are as good as the 325i brakes.

Also had another look at engine mods and with turbo/,s and cams over 400 HP is achievable, not that I intend to go that far. I was under the impression that the clocks were standard and worked from whatever take off was on the engine. Will look into that, my insurance won't cover supercharging so that option is out, the rest I think should be Ok.

Andy

 

[littlefeller]

im not sure about the clocks, but i spotted an ebay listing for a set of 2.8 (or rather 6 pot) clocks, it said these clocks were needed for a 1.9 to 2.8 conversion, there are only a couple of reasons i could envisage for this, ecu to clock communication or the tacho, the fact in mentioned the 6 pot bit would lean towards the latter.

 

[madleemark]

the clocks will need to be matched up with the ecu and the alarm system

 

[madleemark]

325 and z3 2.8 have the same size discs

 

[5harp3y]

I'd definitely be looking for a donor car if I were you, it works out so much easier when you have all the parts to hand