Just bought M400 engine for my M12

[peterguk]

As title says, just bought M400 engine/box/loom/ECU etc for my M12. 3000 miles from new.

Only missing gear cables and front linkage from what i can see.

Question: Did M400s come with engine oil cooler? If not, good idea to fit one?

I'm going to do whatever improvements are recommended before dropping it in the chassis, so all comments welcome.

I guess sorting out the side vents / tunnel cooling would be a good idea too....

Edited by peterguk on Saturday 28th July 19:00

[alex s]

peterguk said:

As title says, just bought M400 engine/box/loom/ECU etc for my M12. 3000 miles from new.

Only missing gear cables and front linkage from what i can see.

Question: Did M400s come with engine oil cooler? If not, good idea to fit one?

I'm going to do whatever improvements are recommended before dropping it in the chassis, so all comments welcome.

I guess sorting out the side vents / tunnel cooling would be a good idea too....

Edited by peterguk on Saturday 28th July 19:00

well done peter.

You will need quite a few things!!

oil cooler(in side pod in m400)
m400 gear linkage(new h gate etc)
new lower wishbone ( as the six speed box will catch on the old wishbone)
New fuel tank(or "ease" the old one)
Full set of engine mounts (all different!!)
Side pod will need covers(and lots of bodywork cut to fit)
New exhaust(your 2.5 roush one wont fit)

Look forward to hearing how it goes.
I am getting a US engine to install over the winter, so any pointers feel free to share.

[peterguk]

Thanks Alex.

Going to collect all the parts up and then take car off road. Do my headlamp conversion at the same time.

alex s said:

new lower wishbone ( as the six speed box will catch on the old wishbone)

Just the n/s i presume. Same as all 3 litre cars?

alex s said:

New fuel tank(or "ease" the old one)

"ease" as in bit of modification? Or totally different? Same as all 3 litre cars?

alex s said:

New exhaust(your 2.5 roush one wont fit)

Will speak with Piper on Monday. I seem to remember the system they built for my car is 3 litre except pipes between turbo flanges and cats, and front pipe. Hoping they will be able to sort me out.

Fuel pump upgrade too me thinks.

[JLSELAN]

Since the turbos and exhaust headers are different on the M400, you'll most likely need an exhaust system update.
Also, if you don't want to change the sidepods, the oil cooler (definitely needed) can be routed to the front of the car (ahead of the radiator) or you can go with a liquid/oil cooler as per
http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=2156
that can be easily be mounted near the motor.

[peterguk]

JLSELAN said:

Since the turbos and exhaust headers are different on the M400, you'll most likely need an exhaust system update.
Also, if you don't want to change the sidepods, the oil cooler (definitely needed) can be routed to the front of the car (ahead of the radiator) or you can go with a liquid/oil cooler as per
http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=2156
that can be easily be mounted near the motor.

Hmmm, i like the water/oil cooler. Will have to investigate... Thanks.

[alex s]

peterguk said:

JLSELAN said:

Since the turbos and exhaust headers are different on the M400, you'll most likely need an exhaust system update.
Also, if you don't want to change the sidepods, the oil cooler (definitely needed) can be routed to the front of the car (ahead of the radiator) or you can go with a liquid/oil cooler as per
http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=2156
that can be easily be mounted near the motor.

Hmmm, i like the water/oil cooler. Will have to investigate... Thanks.

Me too, I am going to order it and get it sent over with my engine(it fits in the passenger side pod(no need for the M400 side pods then). let me know if you want me to get one put in for you.

As for the wishbone, just ask for the one for the six speed.
The fuel tank can be adjusted with a hammer!! It is a clearance issue with the starter motor.

[peterguk]

Alex, take a look at the Laminova water/oil coolers from Think Automotive:

http://www.thinkauto.com/

[F.C.]

peterguk said:

JLSELAN said:

Since the turbos and exhaust headers are different on the M400, you'll most likely need an exhaust system update.
Also, if you don't want to change the sidepods, the oil cooler (definitely needed) can be routed to the front of the car (ahead of the radiator) or you can go with a liquid/oil cooler as per
http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=2156
that can be easily be mounted near the motor.

Hmmm, i like the water/oil cooler. Will have to investigate... Thanks.

The one in the picture looks like a Mocal water / oil cooler.
I have a couple I'm thinking of fitting to my car.
F.C.

[JLSELAN]

Yes, it is a Mocal unit.
A high-quality product at a reasonable price, IMO.

Edited by JLSELAN on Sunday 29th July 01:23

[RobP]

JLSELAN said:

Since the turbos and exhaust headers are different on the M400, you'll most likely need an exhaust system update.
Also, if you don't want to change the sidepods, the oil cooler (definitely needed) can be routed to the front of the car (ahead of the radiator) or you can go with a liquid/oil cooler as per
http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=2156
that can be easily be mounted near the motor.

I had my oil-cooler rotated through 90 degrees and had a fan fitted to improve cooling- it is much better than standard fit, but not as good as having the cooler up at the front. The problem is that at speed the air just peels away from the body work in front of the side-pods so there is little air in-take! This is fine for normal road driving, but for track use in hot weather (remember that?)I would recommend sticking it at the front of the car- even if it means in deepest mid-winter you have to put a bit of foil round it.

[JLSELAN]

RobP said:

JLSELAN said:

Since the turbos and exhaust headers are different on the M400, you'll most likely need an exhaust system update.
Also, if you don't want to change the sidepods, the oil cooler (definitely needed) can be routed to the front of the car (ahead of the radiator) or you can go with a liquid/oil cooler as per
http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=2156
that can be easily be mounted near the motor.

I had my oil-cooler rotated through 90 degrees and had a fan fitted to improve cooling- it is much better than standard fit, but not as good as having the cooler up at the front. The problem is that at speed the air just peels away from the body work in front of the side-pods so there is little air in-take! This is fine for normal road driving, but for track use in hot weather (remember that?)I would recommend sticking it at the front of the car- even if it means in deepest mid-winter you have to put a bit of foil round it.

FYI, that's not really necessary since Mocal sells a "sandwich" adapter plate with a built in thermostat that diverts the oil from the cooler until it's at a proper temperature. See this site:
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/mocal.htm
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