Hi everyone! Newbie here! I've been thinking about building a locost for years now, and it's only now that I am selling my ford capri that I will have an empty garage to do it in.

I haven't started any building yet and I need to gather plenty of info before I start.

I have an RV8 engine and an LT77 5 speeder lying around which i had planned to use. But the engine is very high milage and will need a complete rebuild. So I may not use it at all.

Thinking about donor vehicles, the BMW 535 looks very appealing, 200bhp, IRS, LSD, big disc brakes all round, relatively simple efi system. Should make for a nice quick car!

However I can see that the engine is a straight 6 and quite long. What are the known issues in lengthening the chassis at the front (probably the whole thing will need to be +4" wide as well) to accomadate the longer engine?

Thanks guys!

Sam

IMO (never measured) it possible if you place the gearbox as far as possible to the rear.

It will have it's affect on the room for your feet.

I think the old iron 6 bmw engine is to lumpy. Look for the aly-ones.

Lexus, Toyota supra or VW VR6 etc.
Or a volvo 5 cylindre!

I like straight 6 more then V6. I don't know why

hmmm, need to win a lottery

[Edited on 24/1/08 by t.j.]

You have an excellent start there with that V8 and box, assuming the engine is from the manual car and you have all the flywheel clutch & bellhousing parts etc. Why not look for a better V8, doesn't matter if its auto cos you have the manual bits.

IMO you cant beet the sound and feel of driving a V8 car...

Bags 1st dibs if you decide to sell the V8 & box.

[Edited on 24/1/08 by r1_pete]

There's a pics of a BMW straight 6 engined "7" being built HERE you might need to sign up to view pictures, I'm not sure.

The Luego Viento will house your engine nicely which ever you choose. That is if you can still get them,

The M30 is a big heavy lump and not as torquey as you'd expect for it's 3.5L. I can however confirm they sound glorious. It's a good saloon/coupe engine but an odd choice for a Seven.

M50b25 or M50b28 24v from a late E34 or E36 would be another option though if I was looking for a BMW motor for a 7 it'd be M42b18 4 pot from the E36.

They all sit at a quite alarming slant and none are especially light.

M62 V8 from the E39 is nice and if you're really patient you'll be able to find a manual box too.
jk

[Edited on 24/1/08 by jkarran]

quote:

---

Originally posted by UncleFister
There's a pics of a BMW straight 6 engined "7" being built HERE you might need to sign up to view pictures, I'm not sure.

---

If you need any more piccy's or measurements, let me know.

cheers

Chris

quote:

---

Originally posted by Danozeman
The Luego Viento will house your engine nicely which ever you choose. That is if you can still get them,

---

bits on ebay

engine and box
bmw e36 325 engine and gearbox ideal for e30 conversion on eBay, also, BMW, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 01-Feb-08 18:57:59 GMT)


if you want an engine box and loom

thanks! I have decided to follow my first thought, breaking a 535 for pretty much everything i need, but then building a chassis similar to the viento design, but with IRS back end. I've already made scale drawings and it should work ok (famous last words).

just need to get that capri sold now. It's on ebay at the moment if anybody is interested. It's the purple EFi converted one!

quote:

---

Originally posted by aerosam
but then building a chassis similar to the viento design, but with IRS back end.

---

Doh!