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V8 Engine Swap


Angiebillw

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I just purchased a 76 2002 for $200. It has no engine or trans. It is a solid car with little rust which is odd for a TN car that has been sitting partially covered for 20 years. I have decided to use a small block GM motor or small block Ford motor with a 5speed trans. I am a new 2002 owner so I am no purist and have no interest in using a BMW drive train. Any info as far as steering conversion and switching to manual brake set up will be greatly appreciated . Also the obvious info on what non BMW motors have been used.

Thanks,

Bill Wilkinson

Knoxville, TN

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I've never seen a chevy/ford swapped into a 2002, but various swaps have been done, including an early M5 engine which is pretty big. I seem to recall someone doing a BMW V12. Depending on power levels you'll need to figure out the diff as well. British cars seem to be popular for swaps, perhaps this website will have some useful info:

http://www.britishv8.org/

 

You've likely come across these:

http://bringatrailer.com/2013/06/14/v8-powered-1969-bmw-2002/
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/bmw-2002-makes-for-one-unique-rat-rod-w-video/
http://www.e30v8.com/

 

Conversion to steering racks have been done on the 2002, as Marshall said, use search for this.

 

By manual brakes you mean no booster, correct? Search on "alpina" brake pedal box setup, they bolted the master cylinder right to the pedal box. Or do what I did on the track car --Tilton overhung pedal setup, balance bar and Wilwood brakes all the way around.

 

Here's a highly modified 2002 engine swap with the transmission mounted in the rear of the car for better weight distribution. The link is a pic of the underside of the car. Lot's of details given on the website on the custom diff mount, etc.

http://www.2002twinturbo.com/images/overview/10.jpg

 

I am curious about the level of build you plan and if this is for street, show, or track.

Edited by FB73tii

--Fred

'74tii (Colorado) track car

'69ti (Black/Red/Yellow) rolling resto track car

'73tii (Fjord....RIP)

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All I have to say is LOTS of body reinforcement! The unibody stock I'm pretty sure wont like some of the power numbers of a built small block! Same with the diff and CV's... And a lot of other stuff. Plus a small block is VERY tall and a BMW motor isn't. Ive dealt with both... So expect a LOT of custom fabrication...

-Nathan
'76 2002 in Malaga (110k Original, 2nd Owner, sat for 20 years and now a toy)
'86 Chevy K20 (6.2 Turbo Diesel build) & '46 Chevy 2 Ton Dump Truck
'74 Suzuki TS185, '68 BSA A65 Lightning (garage find), '74 BMW R90S US Spec #2

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Did anybody ask why? Plenty more reasons not to.....

 

could this quote from his first post ever on the faq be the "why"?   although i don't see any connection between being a new 2002 owner and being non-purist or having lack of interest in bmw drivetrain.

 

 

I am a new 2002 owner so I am no purist and have no interest in using a BMW drive train.

 

2xM3

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Take a look  at that little aluminum Rover V8.  It's been around forever, and it's cute.

 

Also, bigger V6's are pretty light and powerful.

 

Transmissions are HARD to fit in the little tunnel, tho

 

t

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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