Not exactly project binky...

[skotl]

Guy over on Jalopnik shoehorns a Ford V8 into a a BMW E36 3-series

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/bmw-e36-v8-swap-mounting-the-new-engine-or-wednesda-1782276842

Some choice quotes;

"So with the engine held in place by the hoist, why not fix it there permanently?"
"...cutting off any parts of the mount unnecessary for strength"
"Presentation is 90% of function, so make sure it looks good"
"a nice app that lets you measure drivetrain angles to make sure none of the u-joint angles will be beyond what’s acceptable. I tried to use it for like 2 minutes then gave up and just set it in place at what appeared to be a reasonable angle"​

Hey - the guy's braver and more talented than I am, but I'm not sure I'd want to drive this at anything more than walking pace after he's done!

 

[arther dailey]

depends if suspension/brakes are equal to weight/power of replacement unit, bet it sounds great though!

 

[MattH]

If you were going to put a V8 in why wouldn't you put a BMW V8 in?

The American V8 probably has less power than the straight six!

 

[Tinbasherdan]

If you were going to put a V8 in why wouldn't you put a BMW V8 in?

The American V8 probably has less power than the straight six!

It always amazes me the ability the yanks have to build a eleventy million litre engine with about 3 hp

 

[skotl]

It always amazes me the ability the yanks have to build a eleventy million litre engine with about 3 hp

Indeed - I've often said that I could make an engine out of wood that would produce as much hp as the equivalent yank motor...

 

[Spark plug]

Why? you might as well fit a steam engine .

 

[MrFluffy]

Why a american v8? because theyre bombproof , you can tune the nads off them without replacing every single piece inside and can be had for buttons. My favourite v8's in order of preference are the rover (I'd have to say that tho, I'm willing to conceed history and nostalgia play a strong part in my rose tinted spectacles), the lexus 1uzfe (lovely little compact alloy v8), hemi (no comment needed), ls1 and later ls series (modern alloy yank v8), chrysler northstar (massive but powerful and bombproof, then onto things like the 351w and stuff. At no time have I thought to myself "oh that hotrod would be really great if it had a BMW engine in it"...
Go to a drag strip, watch the fastest cars running down the strip and go check them in the pits, theyre almost all american based for this reason.

 

[MattH]

Lol, at no point did I get in my 4.4l BMW V8 and think I wish this had a 6.8l lump that puts out 100bhp less in it.

 

[MrFluffy]

Yes they make less hp for the capacity when stock, but thats a positive as its a great excuse to put a blower on, no? And who doesn't love the whine of a gilmer belt on full song

 

[colnerov]

Hi, It's an American car and owner and he's probably sticking to what he knows. If the M3 engine has gone pop they are not exactly cheap to repair and the knowledge base over there is not as good.

Colin