2002 engine conversions
2002 engine conversions
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Discussion

dan101smith

Original Poster:

17,053 posts

241 months

Wednesday 29th December 2010
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Chaps,

I'm looking for info on engine conversions on 2002s.

I know the S14 is the most straightforward way to get more power, but they're prohibitively expensive to buy. So, what else have people put in there?

The M52 is currently holding my interest...

derin100

5,217 posts

273 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
quotequote all
Dan! Step away from the car!

Leave it as it is! Why pour money into making a 2002 worthless by putting another engine into it?

About 28 years ago I tried the same with my very first car (a 2002tii) because I thought it wasn't fast enough (it was more than fast enough...but when you're only 19 you think everything is too slow).

Very, very long story but I tried putting a turbo-charged engine into it from a LHD E21 320 with a turbo on it.

I ruined the car! But that was back then when a 2002tii was a close to worthless car. Why would you want to do it now?

adaptive

842 posts

220 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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NickXX

1,647 posts

248 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
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The M42 from the e30/e36 318iS is meant to be a common one to use.

dan101smith

Original Poster:

17,053 posts

241 months

Friday 7th January 2011
quotequote all
derin100 said:
Dan! Step away from the car!

Leave it as it is! Why pour money into making a 2002 worthless by putting another engine into it?
Well, there's the thing.

What I'd like is an '02 with 200bhp in a custom colour with better brakes and suspension and a manual 'box.

What I currently have sitting in my garage is an '02 that needs a full restoration in a colour I don't really like, a 100bhp engine and an auto box.

I don't really know what either version would be worth when complete - I'd imagine around the £6k mark for either iteration.

The thing with this one is that it has a genuine 44k miles from new with excellent provenance - it almost seems to good a base car. The quandry is that decent shells are now hard to find...

sniff diesel

13,127 posts

242 months

Sunday 9th January 2011
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NickXX said:
The M42 from the e30/e36 318iS is meant to be a common one to use.
What a great idea, and this one looks cheap too:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2241536.htm

whistle

e21BMW

17,672 posts

203 months

Monday 17th January 2011
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Personally I would stick to period mods. An m10 on twin 40's with a Schrick cam can make an easy 150bhp and you will still be left with a desirable/valuable car at the end of it. Being an auto your engine already has a bigger valve, tii spec head. Check www.02forum.co.uk too. They're a great bunch and always keen to offer help & advice to other 02 owners. There are plenty of modified cars there to inspire you.

dan101smith

Original Poster:

17,053 posts

241 months

Tuesday 18th January 2011
quotequote all
Thanks - I've decided I will keep it period. I'm going to convert it to 5 speed, but keep all the parts to convert back to auto, should someone want to in the future.

I'm struggling to find much info on rebuilding and modifying the M10 - can you point me in the right direction?

e21BMW

17,672 posts

203 months

Tuesday 18th January 2011
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You should find all the help you need via the forum I mentioned above. The m10 is a simple enough engine and easy enough to work on.

The 5 speed conversion is a good idea. I did my Mrs 2002tii last year and it makes the car so much nicer to drive. Manuals seem to be much more desirable than autos but it might be worth keeping the parts you remove.

Where are you based?

We often arrange events where we go for a spirited drive and a pub lunch. You'd be more than welcome to attend.












http://www.02forum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=...

steve6304

67 posts

205 months

Tuesday 18th January 2011
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Don't do it, I have a lot of experience on BMW and it is not really possible. First of all the front chassis legs would not be strong enough for a bigger/heavier/more powerful engine, Also you would make a classic worhtless. Keep it original or leave it alone is my advice.

dan101smith

Original Poster:

17,053 posts

241 months

Tuesday 18th January 2011
quotequote all
steve6304 said:
Don't do it, I have a lot of experience on BMW and it is not really possible. First of all the front chassis legs would not be strong enough for a bigger/heavier/more powerful engine, Also you would make a classic worhtless. Keep it original or leave it alone is my advice.
They seem to handle the S14 or M20 easily enough!

Anyway, I've decided to stick with the M10 (as mentioned in my post a little bit higher up wink).

chrisr29

1,272 posts

227 months

Tuesday 18th January 2011
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In a similar situation myself. Bought a 1976 2002 off ebay a few months ago for not a lot of money. Turns out it's a complete rot box (seriousely, the rust is epic). Anyway, decided to build it as a turbo rep track-day project as it would cost too much to restore to original. I've bought the panels, the turbo body kit and after a good couple of months of evenings and weekends I'm about half way through welding the bloody thing back together.

Back to the engine. Decided to turbo the original engine with bits from a injected e30 4 cylinder lump and a turbo manifold from maybe these people: http://www.666fabrication.com/m10.html. Had stuf from them before and the quality is tip-top. I have a lot of bits from a previous turbo project (T3, Megasquirt, intercooler etc) so shouldn't cost toooooooooo much extra.........

You want to modify it then go ahead. It's not like it's a priceless classic or anything.



e21BMW

17,672 posts

203 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
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chrisr29 said:
You want to modify it then go ahead. It's not like it's a priceless classic or anything.
+1

You're keeping it on the road and enjoying it as you do so. What can be better than that? There are plenty of ''original'' examples out there for the enthusiasts and the 02 has a long history of being modified anyway.

Keep us informed of progress and some pics would be nice.


dan101smith

Original Poster:

17,053 posts

241 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
A couple of pics:

As it was:





As it currently is:







The quality of a respray it had a year or so before I bought it:



Lots to do!

Gravy

2,076 posts

264 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
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Dan that looks like a great project. Are you going to keep a build diary on here - I'd be interested to follow it!

The photos above of the E21 and '02s are excellent, very cool BMW's imo.

O/T Does anyone know if there are any E21 BBS ltd. ed. still on the roads? Thery are my favourite non-Alpina E21 but pretty scarce it would seem.

dan101smith

Original Poster:

17,053 posts

241 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
I'll take some pics along the way but I'm expecting progress to be pretty glacial to be honest!

e21BMW

17,672 posts

203 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
Gravy said:
Dan that looks like a great project. Are you going to keep a build diary on here - I'd be interested to follow it!

The photos above of the E21 and '02s are excellent, very cool BMW's imo.

O/T Does anyone know if there are any E21 BBS ltd. ed. still on the roads? Thery are my favourite non-Alpina E21 but pretty scarce it would seem.
Do you mean the UK 'run out' model of the 323i? They were 2 tone grey & silver I think? with BBS wheels and spoilers? If so, there are a few around. I know of 2 that are for sale also.

This is my 323/2.7 daily driver.




RemyMartin

6,759 posts

235 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
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God I love 02s and E21s. That red E21 looks fooking epic.

Captain Flashman

653 posts

201 months

Thursday 20th January 2011
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adaptive said:
these blokes are excellent, really helped me out with my alpina

e21BMW

17,672 posts

203 months

Thursday 20th January 2011
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Thanks.

It's actually orange but crappy i-phone camera can't seem to tell the difference.



This is the Mrs 2002tii



and a 2000 touring we share.




















The touring was part of a car collection and was fully restored a few years ago before being locked away in a garage. It's taken a bit of re commissioning and a new Weber carb but it's a cracking drive. Especially when you think it's now 40 years old!

I love all the old shark-front BMW's and e21's and 02's show you don't have to be minted to enjoy them. My e21 probably cost half the price of an entry level e30 M3, which was always my dream car. I'd still like one today but I wouldn't let go of my e21.

Dan101 - if you need any help tracking down parts etc, just say the word. I can usually find most stuff or put you in touch with someone. Mark


Edited by e21BMW on Thursday 20th January 10:15