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Opinions on BMW 'M Power' E36 engine?
wydraz - 9/12/08 at 01:41 PM

What do you think of one of these out of an old M3 in an MK Indy?

rost - 9/12/08 at 01:47 PM

Its huge (especially tall) and it stands at an 30 degree angle.
If you manage to fit one, you'll have one of the best engines around in your car!
Nothing runs and sounds like a straight-six (ok ok, maybe a V12)

[Edited on 9/12/08 by rost]

r1_pete - 9/12/08 at 02:07 PM

A few years ago I had an M3 GT, just under 300 BHP, 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. OK it was a slightly tuned version of the M3 3.0L, but free revving and basically unburstable. There was however a recall for some cars the Nikasil lining on the bores was flaking (mine was one), and the engines were replaced, beware you don't get one that came out of a suspect car.

May be a bit tall for a 7, as has been said they are angled in the BM to reduce the fitted height.

vinny1275 - 9/12/08 at 02:14 PM

Ditto - great engines but tall. One possible suggestion - a V8 out of an M5? They can be mated to an E36 g/box iirc (saw a guy at Goodwood with an E36 coupe, with the non-M v8 fitted)....

good luck!

DanP - 9/12/08 at 03:33 PM

The 3.2 is more powerful and lighter IIRC than the older 3.0 but many of the Vanos vvt units are now failing at a cost of about 1000 quid for the replacement part, the 3.0 is 40hp less but doesn't have this problem as it has a differnt vvt unit (vvt on one cam rather than both on the 3.2), it should also not suffer the nikasil issue. Have a look at unixnerd.demon.co.uk for loads of info on bmw engines.

Hth!
Dan

cjtheman - 9/12/08 at 06:21 PM

just helped to do a m3 e36 engine conversion into an e30
very fast now all done as said above if you could get it in there what a car that would be
cheers
colin

[Edited on 9/12/08 by cjtheman]

mr henderson - 9/12/08 at 06:40 PM

It's a very nice engine, it its place, but is that place in an LSIS?

How about a Rover V8 as an alternative, 3.9 at least. You know it makes sense

John

Antnicuk - 9/12/08 at 07:29 PM

wash your mouth out young man, you cant compare a RV8 with an M3 engine.......

I have an M3 and they are great engines but as said, heavy and tall!

mr henderson - 9/12/08 at 07:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Antnicuk
wash your mouth out young man, you cant compare a RV8 with an M3 engine.......

I have an M3 and they are great engines but as said, heavy and tall!


I wasn't comparing the two, I was simply suggesting a more suiitable alternative.

John

Antnicuk - 9/12/08 at 07:41 PM

i'll let you off then

i just have a pet hate of the RV8 and love my M3

Sebastian - 9/12/08 at 07:52 PM

We build a Viento with a standard 2.5 straight six BMW engine (See my archive for a picture).

We also looked at an M3 engine but in our opinion the 193 bhp and a good torque is more than enough for a "lightweight" car with no traction control etc etc.

And this also gives a superb bit of sound, with a M3 manifold.
The installation is in fact really easy as long as you have the wiringloom of the engine with it in that case it's no more than a positive and negative lead and it will start.

And yes the engine is a bit taller and heavier but the amount of torque and BHP makes it a nice engine in the end, and did i mention the sound

Simon - 9/12/08 at 08:26 PM

Nowt wrong wi' Rover

ATB

Simon

Antnicuk - 9/12/08 at 08:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Simon
Nowt wrong wi' Rover

ATB

Simon


dont take any notice of me, i put a rotary engine in mine

nstrug - 10/12/08 at 10:48 AM

Its a fantastic engine - comes with ITBs and is built more like a racecar engine than a roadcar one (remember that BMW use road car blocks for their turbo F1 cars).

However, its very heavy, long, tall etc. Not sure its ideal for a locost. I've always wanted to do an Austin Healey 300 replica with one.

Nick