Project bmw 340i.

[E36 Rick]

Hi all. Here’s my project car. Now I’ve got a new mig I’m hoping to be able to start making progress.
It started out as a 318i (1.8l 8 valve)
I’ve daily driven it for many years with no problems but it was getting a bit long in the tooth. I had a look for a Chevy ls1 or 2 5.7 or 6.0 v8 but they are ridiculously expensive over here.
The obvious alternative is the m62b44 4.4l quad cam 32 valve. This does present some engineering problems, mainly the oil pump, mounted into the sump right where the crossmember goes. Anyway, I’ll give it a shot and try to keep you all up to speed with it.

 

[Bullet2012]

That’s brave having a number plate that reads Tinder !!

 

[E36 Rick]

That’s brave having a number plate that reads Tinder !!

It’s my wife’s (Linda) it was on an m3

 

[Bullet2012]

I realise, just teasing.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Welcome to the forum Rick

This does present some engineering problems, mainly the oil pump, mounted into the sump right where the crossmember goes.

Dry sump it? Will be watching your progress with interest!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

But will the indicators work, as it is a BMW?

 

[8ob]

Rattle @Barlidge `s cage, Bruce is into V8 BMW madness and is messing with sumps.

Bob

 

[slim_boy_fat]

But will the indicators work, as it is a BMW?

You behave yourself

 

[E36 Rick]

But will the indicators work, as it is a BMW?

Thats the new ones when you specify indicator delete!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

You behave yourself

I am.

Badly.

 

[Barlidge]

Be watching with interest, mine's its little brother the M60B30 which has the same oil pump issue and is going into something a little lighter.

 

[Harrisp]

I've got a couple of mates running 1uz v8s (one is also turbod) in E36s. Cheap and strong engines.

 

[Bullet2012]

What are you being quoted for a 6.0 , it’s our bread and butter motor.

 

[E36 Rick]

What are you being quoted for a 6.0 , it’s our bread and butter motor.

Bare motors for £1500. Full engines for £3-5k plus £1500 for t56 manual box. I found a 6.2 with manual for £2500 and it was gone before I got hold of him. It’s not so much about price but used motors just aren’t out there. Only car I can think of that we got here with an ls1 or 2 is a Vauxhall monaro (Pontiac gto) but the are rare and expensive.

 

[E36 Rick]

We’ve got loads of cars with 4.4 bmw v8’s for next to nothing. (£750- 1k for the whole car)

 

[E36 Rick]

I've got a couple of mates running 1uz v8s (one is also turbod) in E36s. Cheap and strong engines.

I’ve looked at those too. Good engine but not really cheaper than bmw engines And I still get the problem of converting to manual and having a huge overhead cam engine to fit. In the end the bmw looks a little more ‘factory’

 

[E36 Rick]

Be watching with interest, mine's its little brother the M60B30 which has the same oil pump issue and is going into something a little lighter.

View attachment 174794

Looking forward to seeing it progress. Is this a pure track car or road legal?

 

[mylesdw]

Nice project. The most important bit is a really nice factory-looking "340" badge for the back.

 

[E36 Rick]

Nice project. The most important bit is a really nice factory-looking "340" badge for the back.[/
This is a pre paint mock up of the badge I’ve made for it. If I end up with a bmw engine I’ll change the 6 for a 4!

 

[frank horton]

I like the idea but dread to think of the insurance problems tho.......
I once had a Cortina Savage.......now ur talking, no brkes no steering ....hahaha....
oh and often no second gear...used to strip em clean off....no 5 speeds in them days.......
did put a Ford Essex V6 in a Mazda rotary that had a junk engine, just didn't work well.....to much weight I fear over the front end......