M20 in a TR6

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  • ainadude
    Wrencher
    • Apr 2008
    • 221

    #1

    M20 in a TR6

    Disclosure: This is not my car but I came across the thread in a British car-oriented engine-swap forum. Looks pretty cool -- practically a front mid-engine installation!

    Apologies if this is a repost ...


    1975 TR6 BMW

    This car was towed to the shop and was found to have spun a rod. The owner decided that while it was apart, he wanted to make it go faster, a lot faster. Bart recommended that an alternate power plant would help as the Triumph motor is severly power challanged no matter how much money you throw at it. Bart then suggested that he could install a 1989 BMW 325i motor and 5 speed tranny. The BMW motor makes 190 HP bone stock and weighs considerably less than the TR motor. Plus it has simple fuel injection.


    This job required modifying the fire wall, the BMW gearshift assembly (which had to have a short shift installed), and the driveshaft. Next Bart fabricated the gas pedal assembly, clutch hydraulic line, the computer mounting, steel braided oil lines, radiator hoses, alternator mounting and brackets, the fire wall and tranny tunnel.


    Bart also fabricated and installed a rear coil-over shock conversion and exhaust system. The front got new Koni shocks. The battery had to be relocated in the trunk. Bart constructed new power, ground and engine ground cables.








    Trial fit ....


    in and done!


    Bart fabricated an aluminum radiator shroud.

    When the car was finished, the owner spent several months driving it at auto cross events (taking 1st in his division at Jekyll Island), on mountain tours, and to several races at Road Atlanta. It always drew quite a crowd and lots of questions. Soon he decided that with that much power, it would be wise to have Bart fabricate and install a roll bar. He also wanted a new paint job on the exterior. Off it went to the body and paint shop - this time TC's Place. After the primer was complete, the owner decided to have the entire car painted. It was trailered back to the shop to remove the engine, exhaust system, etc. Then back to TC's Place to have the job completed.





    Shots of the car after being painted.




    Now that the car has a great new paint job, it's time to have the bumpers rechromed, all new lights installed, new custom seats, Wilton wool carpeting, and new panels. And don't forget the new Sunfast convertible top, dash pads, and a custom made aluminum dash board.


    Before starting the interior, the owner felt he wanted some extra sound deadening material added. We had just the thing. Koolmat is a composite of high temperature fiberglass with a top coat of silicone. It prevents the flow of air or liquids and is excellent for sound deadening. It is used a great deal by NASCAR as it keeps the driver of the race car cooler and will withstand high temperatures in case of fire.
    Below are a few pictures before the Koolmat installation. Notice the custom made firewall built to accomodate the BMW engine.




    And after the Koolmat...





    The panel kit and Wilton wool carpet kit were ordered from John Skinner in England. As usual, the materials were of very good quality. The carpet had to be custom fitted to accomodate the enlarged fire wall and smaller floor carpet area. The seat tracks had to be altered to allow the installation of the custom seats. The owner also requested a chrome grab bar be installed on the dash (note the aluminum dash was remade at the request of the customer).



    Bart fabricated the center console to accomodate the enlarged fire wall and designed a custom mount for the radio and XM receiver.


    Here the engine is in place with a new aluminum crossflow radiator and the reconfigured wiring incorporating relays and a pair of 5 ATC fuse panels.





    TC did a great job fabricating the custom front and side grills. These gave the car just the right amount of detail.


    Posted by Carolyn Miller at 1:00 PM
    Labels: Projects past and present










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    ainadude
    Indian Wells, CA


    sigpic




    1991 325i 2dr. 5sp, delphin, w/freshly re-skinned IS sport seats/15" Ronal cross-spokes

    1976 Triumph Spitfire w/1.8-liter Miata engine/transmission, koa dash with TR6 oil/volt gauges, lowered suspension, 14" Minilite replicas and more

    2004 Kawasaki ZZR600
  • Click
    Mod Crazy
    • Feb 2010
    • 637

    #2
    190 HP bone stock
    Haha I wish
    ส็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็็
    Originally posted by blunttech
    I need you to exfoliate my ballsack
    Build Thread?



    Comment

    • MattAvino
      R3VLimited
      • Jan 2011
      • 2147

      #3
      More like 135 to the wheels
      E30 buildy things
      http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=195286

      Comment

      • MattAvino
        R3VLimited
        • Jan 2011
        • 2147

        #4
        So awesome though
        E30 buildy things
        http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=195286

        Comment

        • Holland
          R3V OG
          • Nov 2008
          • 7176

          #5
          I would say that's a perfect engine for that car, although that S50 TR6 was amazing.
          1985 M10b18. 70maybewhpoffury. Over engineered S50b30 murica BBQ swap in progress.

          Originally posted by DEV0 E30
          You'd chugg this butt. I know you would. Ain't gotta' lie to kick it brostantinople.

          Comment

          • Kershaw
            R3V OG
            • Feb 2010
            • 11822

            #6
            i think they confused an m50 with an m20.

            really nice refresh though.
            AWD > RWD

            Comment

            • akorcovelos
              E30 Enthusiast
              • Dec 2006
              • 1149

              #7
              Perfect swap, amazing car.

              2012 MCSCC/NSSCC CP class champ
              HSAX Instructor

              Comment

              • ainadude
                Wrencher
                • Apr 2008
                • 221

                #8
                Originally posted by MattAvino
                More like 135 to the wheels
                Granted, but the M20 is still a huge improvement over the stock engine performance-wise, not to mention far more reliable and economical.
                ainadude
                Indian Wells, CA


                sigpic




                1991 325i 2dr. 5sp, delphin, w/freshly re-skinned IS sport seats/15" Ronal cross-spokes

                1976 Triumph Spitfire w/1.8-liter Miata engine/transmission, koa dash with TR6 oil/volt gauges, lowered suspension, 14" Minilite replicas and more

                2004 Kawasaki ZZR600

                Comment

                • tg318is
                  R3VLimited
                  • Jun 2008
                  • 2052

                  #9
                  Id love me a tr6
                  Tim.

                  Comment

                  • brainspo0n
                    Grease Monkey
                    • Dec 2010
                    • 373

                    #10
                    such a great idea

                    Comment

                    • thearkitekt
                      E30 Addict
                      • Feb 2009
                      • 435

                      #11
                      i approve, i always wished the MGB i had would have had a better engine
                      Now look, I am not evil. My loan officer said so.

                      Comment

                      • VANOS714
                        E30 Enthusiast
                        • Nov 2011
                        • 1195

                        #12
                        nice swap.

                        Comment

                        • 5spoke
                          E30 Mastermind
                          • Sep 2007
                          • 1729

                          #13
                          Would love to own a TR6 for vintage racing or just a weekend cruiser.
                          Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.
                          This is the internet. Just make something up.

                          Comment

                          • acolella76
                            R3VLimited
                            • Apr 2010
                            • 2950

                            #14
                            Yup that guy comes to the local Caffeine and Octane. Really cool
                            -Alex

                            Comment

                            • priapism
                              E30 Enthusiast
                              • Mar 2010
                              • 1182

                              #15
                              I get 151 to the wheels, stock.

                              That car must be a hoot to drive. Another interesting swap would've been a Saab 4cyl since Triumph originally developed it.
                              sigpic
                              -Sean : 91 Calypso 325i : Castro Motorsports SoCal Spec E30 #33

                              Comment

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