Ultimate E28 Interior (was Engine Choices)

[tig]

I'm gonna build my ultimate E28 from the shell up.

I have no ambitions of tracking it, drifting it, or drag racing it.

I DO have ambitions of having look and be generally unique and cool. And my own.

I will also commute to work it in, as I do in all my cars. So overall balance is important. Not too heavy. Not too light. Not too powerful. Not too squirrelly. Not loud. Smooth torque curve. Not slammed.

The only decision I've made regarding motor is I only want to use metric tools. I don't want any imperial threads, nuts, bolts, or other fasteners on the car. Irrational? Maybe. Suck it, it's my OCD and I can do with it what I want.

I have fallen in love with the M30. My high-comp M30B35 has a great torque curve, good power, and should be bullet-proof reliable. But I've been there, done that.

I've never done FI, but find it fascinating and am not opposed.

Figuring out how to squeeze a modern (Vanos, OBD2, blah, blah) system into a 30 year old chassis is also a challenge I think I'd enjoy. But I also don't want to take on the impossible (or be the only/first to have done it).

To get the juices flowing, there's this:



Expand my mind. Give me ideas. Further inspire me. Kthxbai.

[Stevo12]

What if I was to say the LS motors are all-metric?

[T_C_D]

What if I was to say the LS motors are all-metric?

Bingo but nobody at a BMW event gives cars with LSx motors awards. That being said, whatever engine you choose should have a 6 speed manual transmission.

[tsobrado]

Charlie,

The s62 job is pretty incredible. Another one just like it would be pretty cool. I think a M60B40/6-speed swap would be interesting. The engine and parts would be cheaper than the s62 drivetrain.

[slammin_e28]

Rover V8 /thread.

[LeiseyJr]

S54, should fit the size constraint. 8,000rpm redline, ITB's, very simple OBD2 system, M/// motor, very reliable, and a beautiul 6 cyl sound.Drivability in my opinion is very nice with the stock
Tune. Anything else takes away the torque curve. Thats what I'd do.
Sound: https://youtu.be/fNRs0JfMrp8

[LSXBeemer]

If you're looking for something unique, I haven't seen many high powered turbo diesel builds. I'm not sure as to which motor would be the best to build, and give you all your wants and needs.

[joel323]

S65 Lighter and more compact than the S62.

[LeiseyJr]

S65 Lighter and more compact than the S62.

That is a fantatic motor to daily drive, my dad loves his E92. Has torque through the entire rev range, but it does eat gas.

[S38Mike]

While I also agree with S62 and S65 ideas I'd love to see a clean, factory-looking install of a BMW V12 coupled to a six speed in an e28. Why don't you find a wrecked 850i/Ci/CSi. Similar front subframe/oil pan/steering layout, just enough power, buttery torque curve, bulletproof aside from occasional EML issues. Put a "550i" badge off of an E60. You could even rob some of the suspension and brake parts as direct bolt-on upgrades. Besides they sound awesome when they crank over. "Borrrrr-eeeeeeeee-"
Such smooth power, you wouldn't even spill your scotch!

[davintosh]

Go electric.



/thread

[leadphut]

Go electric.



/thread

just think of all the recognition you'd get with an i8 motor.

[mgoblue]

Do we (I mean you) have a budget?

[tig]

Do we (I mean you) have a budget?

Not at this point. Other than the constraints in the OP (and electric), nothing is a bad idea at this point. We're brainstorming.

[OcCoupe]

I can personally attest to this being a powerful and smooth engine.

[tschultz]

Do we (I mean you) have a budget?

Not at this point. Other than the constraints in the OP (and electric), nothing is a bad idea at this point. We're brainstorming.

In that case, the 46 liter v12 in the Brutus. Obviously.

But more realistically, I'd think the S54 would be a great choice. I believe your constraints right now are mainly related to space in the engine bay. You have likely seen Sia's thread: http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=108450

[Nanajoth]

I would buy standard tools for this swap.

[Mark in Toronto]

[Tammer in Philly]

S54, should fit the size constraint. 8,000rpm redline, ITB's, very simple OBD2 system, M/// motor, very reliable, and a beautiul 6 cyl sound.Drivability in my opinion is very nice with the stock
Tune. Anything else takes away the torque curve. Thats what I'd do.
Sound: https://youtu.be/fNRs0JfMrp8

This was my first thought, but in case it's too "played out" (it has been done, but that shouldn't rule it out IMO) ... you could do an S65 V8. 4L, 414HP, I believe smaller physically than the S62.

-T.

[tig]

Do we (I mean you) have a budget?

Not at this point. Other than the constraints in the OP (and electric), nothing is a bad idea at this point. We're brainstorming.

In that case, the 46 liter v12 in the Brutus. Obviously.

But more realistically, I'd think the S54 would be a great choice. I believe your constraints right now are mainly related to space in the engine bay. You have likely seen Sia's thread: http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=108450

Oh, yes, I've seen Sia's thread. My first post in that thread was:

Holy mother of all that is epic.

I also said:

I do love blue cars. This is one of the best looking E28s on the planet, me thinks.

It tuns out that this car will be (already is) Arcticblau, and Sia's car has long influenced me...

[mitch5]

First question is are you gonna pay someone to do the work or are you planning on doing it.?

Anyway if I were to do something like this I would do a body on frame swap, like that e9 csl that they swapped onto a complete e39 m5.

[ElGuappo]

I'd say the S54 is the best option.
All kinds of power at all rev ranges, far easier to install than a V8, especially if you aren't BKbimmer/TCD/Jesse P etc.
Just because someone else has done it, and done it WELL, doesn't make it a bad idea.
A good combo is a good combo, no matter how many have done it.
S54 & 6spd, S2.93 big case, custom driveshaft/motor and trans cross braces, and away we go.

[leadphut]

or you could buy Ivo's friend's car for $30k and save yourself some time and money.

[tig]

First question is are you gonna pay someone to do the work or are you planning on doing it.?

See my other threads. It will be a combination.

Anyway if I were to do something like this I would do a body on frame swap, like that e9 csl that they swapped onto a complete e39 m5.

Not interested in going that route. Nice thought though.

[tig]

or you could buy Ivo's friend's car for $30k and save yourself some time and money.

Journey > Destination.