v12 Anyone?

[ping65810]

After seeing the pics. of that black German e30 with the m70 v12 under the hood, I am thinking more and more about swapping one in mine. Difficult, yes, but I am trying to think of how much I would have to modify my 325iS to accept it. Any opinions? Anybody else know of anyone at all that has done the swap?

An LS1 is an idea, but I would rather stick to a BMW engine.....it just seems better. To me, having an e30 with over 300hp is a very nice thought....almost like my Honda F4I-a few hundred pound bike with 110hp.

What does everyone think? And no, to me turbo-ing an m20 isn't something I would like to do, plus I can get a 5.0 V12 turnkey for $700.

[James Crivellone]

While I admit the V12 is a very unique swap in an E30, I do feel that it should be just that..Unique.

The V12 is NOT a cheap engine to maintain, its basically 2 M20's stuck together, with a very weird and complex motronic running it. I've wrenched on a 750iL before and its not a motor I would want in my car, thats for sure.

Other things you have to keep in mind is what transmission you want to run, I'm not sure what bolts up to it, but the 850csi 6-spd is far from a cheap transmission to obtain. That along with the custom fabrication to make the motor fit, I honestly don't see the point.

Just because you can get the V12 for 700 bucks does not make it a viable choice imho.

If you want over 300NA HP, I would recommend a modded S50B32 Eurospec Motor, or an S38B35. Both of which will net 300hp NA if you wanted.


The S38B35 is my dream N/A Swap to be honest.


My

[Addissimo]

I'm pretty sure this idea has been posted 1,000,000 times with that exact title- and each time it was beat down as a pretty pointless thought.

My friend is getting 430whp from a bi-turbo m52, with no engine mods but a head gasket for less than $4k, it has an amazing power band, and the 275's he has on there doesn't do much as far as putting the power down.

A v12 weighs 341lbs, an m/s50 weighs 299, add turbo component weight and you're there at the same weight point as the v12, but with 200 more bhp, with alot less complex fabrication involved.

$700 for the motor, $2,000 for the installation, $5,000 for the headaches, add it all together, and you get an m70 powered e30.

-Addis

[ping65810]

Good points, strictly from a money, complexity and weight standpoint, an LS1 would be by far the best way to go, but I don't like the idea of a GM motor in a BMW. I am just rather cheap, and there is no way I will even look at a swap that will cost me a few thousand......the m20 will probably stay sigh :(

[conrod]

I have read a lot of the responses to this question, that has been asked many times, and am afraid I have to go against the general consensus for the following reasons. Everyone seems to compare the hp of the M70 (around 300) to the six cylinder engines, which for the s50/s38 is 300+(so quite similar) But what about the TORQUE? The V12 has bags more torque than any of these sixes, which is great for hazing the tyres.Secondly, they are a cheap engine,(okay, so you have to buy 12 plugs instead of 6, but who cares?!) and some of the 850i's came out as a 6 speed. (although I admit they are quite rare) I also agree with sticking to BMW engines in BMW cars, I won't give my reasons for this, apart from saying it keeps it in the spirit of all things BMW.It is not THAT much heavier than some of the cast iron sixes, such as the M30. I don't believe the conversion is as difficult as some would make out, the firewall/bulkhead can remain intact, although surgery will have to be performed on the trans tunnel- but hey, I have to do this on my S50B32 6 speed anyway, so no big deal there.An uprated E30 rear end with a medium case LSD will be man enough for the job, and some M3/M5 spec brakes will do nicely too. But I think by far the coolest part of this conversion would be this,pull the stereo out, and hang a LOUD exhaust on this baby and enjoy the soundtrack-BADASS!!!!!

[325Projectz]

Do what you want to do, then report back.

[conrod]

Couldn't agree more!