Hi guys. For about anyear, maybe 18 months ive been planning on sticking a bmw v8 in a nissan chassis. Ive had a few s13s and r33s but now i have a r32 and im ready to start. I live in teesside so obviously team sunset will be doing the hard parts (engine mounts, prop and maybe exhaust). Ill do the easy bits - wiring, plumbing etc. My problem is - what doner car do i buy? Lol as i understand it i have 4 engine choices . E34 M60 3.0 M60 4.0 E39 M62 3.5 M62 4.4 Cost vs power wise an e39 3.5 seems the best. Am i wrong here? I dont mind the 3.5, i assume i can always get a donor auto engine later if i want more poke. But is this the right car/engine? Once i know which car and engine i need i can price this all up
If you want an easy conversion wiring wise go for the m60 4.0 from an e34 like clive did. I went for the m62 4.4 but I got mine from an e31 840ci '95 which is the same as the e39 540i. If you go m62 you'll need all the ews (immobiliser like nats) parts or get a chip and dont go for anything too late or youll have big issues with the electronic throttle and vanos. Pm mitch, he has a 540i for sale/breaking dirt cheap
Funny you should reply im reading this! http://www.driftworks.com/forum/drift-car-projects-builds/114427-southern-style-sil80-v8-52.html What about 535i? The donor cars are much cheaper. Its the m62 engine and actually the power and torque isnt far off the m60 4.0 is it one to avoid?
Id go for the 4.0/4.4 and avoid the 3.0/3.5. I understand what you are saying but its just a waste of time. The option to upgrade to the 4.0/4.4 at a later date is fine but its quite alot of work to rip the engine out and replace it when it makes no difference fitting it in the first place. Paying for a 3.0/3.5 seems a ripoff as they are pretty much worthless, a 4.0/4.4 wont set you back that much and are very easy to fit, finding and buying a manual gearbox and the appropriate clutch/flywheel will cost you the most. I run a 4.0 in my e30
I've just bought a e34 540 6 speed, to use engine etc in a e30. Will need to look into flywheel and clutches.
Thanks guys a 4.0 or 4.4 it is next 2 questions. Whats the benafit of one engine over the other? More importantly as it's the expensive area. What are my gearbox options?
The 4.4 has more torque but theyre pretty much the same engine. Pricing is very similar as well. M62 gearboxes were a little tricky for me to source and ended up paying 600 for an m5 box, then add on just over 600 for the clutch and fly if you go uprated
M62 uses exactly the same boxes as m60 Get a donor car, it will always work out cheaper if you have the space to break it. I barely broke my first one down and the engine, prop, gearbox, stock clutch and flywheel, loom, ecu (which survived for 6months) set me back like sub 800. The replacement m60b40 was free.
M62 uses a different box dude, you're forgetting the m62 crank sensor runs on the bell housing. However a m62 box will work on a m60
thanks guys, so either an e34 or e39 will be fine as a donor and i should make it a 4.0 or 4.4 so that will be a BMW 540i either way? donor is how I'll be going for sure. now the next question (sorry!) wireing - is the BMW loom canbus? I have a theory that I may be able to simply bin the entire Skyline loom and fit the BMW loom with clockpack. I'd then just wire the BMW headlight wires to Skyline plugs - if the bmw loom is canbus I would need to think again im guessing - otherwise is there anythng stopping me doing this? I'm just thinking it will be much easier and potentially more reliable (at least until I hack the loom up to tuck it lol) youve all be great help so far!
oh and yet another question! lol does anyone know what the best R200 diff is going to be (ratio wise) I have an R32 one and a s14 one to choose from but can't keep both
Use the s14 diff. Loom isnt canbus and you will have a massive amount of work if you wanna loom swap. I do loom conversions
I use s14 MANUAL diff 3.69, on a m5 box. spot on. 3000rpm 70mph in 6th Drift in 3rd and 4th, have pulled 5th a few times but that was fastttt!
Thank god for that You reckon it would be more work? I'm just thinking using BMW clocks etc will be easier than making something up. I know you do mate I was going to take a look at my donor car (whichever one I end up with!) and then get in touch with you. My only worry is i'd want the loom to very perticular specs and im not sure how you'd do it from a different location? thanks both of you. S14 diff it is!
