BMW N54/N55 in an older cars?
Discussion
Hi all, I'm mulling over a potential restomod project, I'd love to do and trying to get a better understanding of how to decide whether to keep the original power unit and gearbox or go to something significantly more modern to gain both greater performance, more easily and also things such as better mpg.
I can see that clearly the likes of Rocketeer do a kit to fit a Jag V6 into an MX5, are there other options out there such as aftermarket engine management systems that allow more modern engines to be fitted into an older car?
Has anyone seen, or done a retrofit of the BMW straight 6 turbo (and potentially it's ZF autobox) into an older car, and if so, how did they do it?
I can see that clearly the likes of Rocketeer do a kit to fit a Jag V6 into an MX5, are there other options out there such as aftermarket engine management systems that allow more modern engines to be fitted into an older car?
Has anyone seen, or done a retrofit of the BMW straight 6 turbo (and potentially it's ZF autobox) into an older car, and if so, how did they do it?
Ok thanks Stevie, I was wondering if the Auto complicated things significantly and from what you've said yes.
If just a standalone engine, would you suggest an aftermarket management system or using the stock one from the donor vehicle (assuming I was getting it from by breaking one)?
If just a standalone engine, would you suggest an aftermarket management system or using the stock one from the donor vehicle (assuming I was getting it from by breaking one)?
The car I'm thinking of is the E24 6 series, so the M30 in it's various guises, I'm well aware you can extract more juice from the M30 with a low pressure turbo set up and that may be the option I end up going down, but fundamentally I want to keep the character style and all around loveliness of the shark, whilst making some high quality updates, but unlike many, what I want to do is keep it as pure GT character.
It's very much of a project to see if I can map out a way to create something special, a re-imagining of the E24 for the 21st century, that's completely recognisable, but subtle, not too bling, not so fast it needs massive wheels and tyres that will ruin the style or ride handling balance, but has a style I love oozing from every surface.
I know it's not going to be a cheap job and I sure as hell don't want to create something like all the "restomods" of E24's i've seen that lose the soul of what the E24 is. The only thing I know for sure is that it has to remain a straight 6, so either what I've asked about here, possibly a low pressure turbo on the old M30, or maybe (if i could find one at a reasonable price) a switch to the S38, I did consider the 3.2 from an E46 but I feel it's too revvy to suit the character of the big 6 and doesn't have the torque to suit the car, so I'm trying to work out whats reasonably possible and what's not.
Also ideally I want the lovely creamy 6 pot howl that comes with the older BMW inline 6's, but the only way I know for sure to keep that, would be to stick with the M30 and spend a lot on a rebuild with all the N/A tuning bells and whistles and I guess that is another potential option and again maybe that's an option. All I know is I want to build the best E24 restomod anyone has ever seen and if adding another year and another £10,000 or more to the budget is what's required to achieve that, then it would be money well spent, it's not a car once done I would ever look to sell.
Although if it attracted enough interest and the cost was reasonable I might consider starting a business creating them.
It's very much of a project to see if I can map out a way to create something special, a re-imagining of the E24 for the 21st century, that's completely recognisable, but subtle, not too bling, not so fast it needs massive wheels and tyres that will ruin the style or ride handling balance, but has a style I love oozing from every surface.
I know it's not going to be a cheap job and I sure as hell don't want to create something like all the "restomods" of E24's i've seen that lose the soul of what the E24 is. The only thing I know for sure is that it has to remain a straight 6, so either what I've asked about here, possibly a low pressure turbo on the old M30, or maybe (if i could find one at a reasonable price) a switch to the S38, I did consider the 3.2 from an E46 but I feel it's too revvy to suit the character of the big 6 and doesn't have the torque to suit the car, so I'm trying to work out whats reasonably possible and what's not.
Also ideally I want the lovely creamy 6 pot howl that comes with the older BMW inline 6's, but the only way I know for sure to keep that, would be to stick with the M30 and spend a lot on a rebuild with all the N/A tuning bells and whistles and I guess that is another potential option and again maybe that's an option. All I know is I want to build the best E24 restomod anyone has ever seen and if adding another year and another £10,000 or more to the budget is what's required to achieve that, then it would be money well spent, it's not a car once done I would ever look to sell.
Although if it attracted enough interest and the cost was reasonable I might consider starting a business creating them.
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