My V8 powered M535i

b-tuning · Post by **b-tuning** » Jan 02, 2009 1:36 PM

well i'm new here, but my project is already a couple months on the way.
I'm restaurating a E28 M535i from 1986. The restauration it self is gonna be pretty normal, just get write of all the rust and give it a nice fresh coat of paint (ferrari grigio Silverstone) i will keep the outlooks original us much as possible.
The car will be running on 18inch original Alpina's rims which i bought a couple of months ago.
The only thing that's gonna be really special is the powerplant! I'm one of the guys who wants to do something really special with his e28.. Soo i'm gonna put in a V8 into the E28.
First i was planning to restaurate the car all the way and than put in the engine, but because between cristmas and newyear i had a holiday i planned to do the engine swap rightnow and go on with restaurating later on in the project.
Well let's put some pictures of my car down here.
I bought the car without an engine.

This i the british 740IL E32 which i bought on ebay. This car is my donor for the engine..and yes i know.. it's in the best shape you can imagine. soo it was a really though disision to tear down the car..but everything is allowed in love and war right?

This is where it's al about!

My 18 inch alpina rims!

I will post some more reply's behind each other soo you have a bit of a time schedule

greetings,
Meindert Bunt

b-tuning · Post by **b-tuning** » Jan 02, 2009 1:37 PM

Hello guys, My plan was to get the engine out of the 740 this cristmas, soo i started today with dismanteling the car.. I must say the're damn good build cars and its a lot of work to get the engine out of there! I'm at the stage to get the engine out of there but because we ran out of time i'm planing on doing that this weekend. (Don't want to rush it to much!)
This morning i started with dismounting the exhaust untill the cats, ofcourse i couldn't keep my self in to not start the car and it sounds super sweet!!:rule:rule
Well here are some pictures of the work:

Le Pic Electric!

groeten,
Meindert Bunt

b-tuning · Post by **b-tuning** » Jan 02, 2009 1:38 PM

Hello,

Lots of things happened in the mean time over here.
I've been really busy to squezze the huge V8 into my M535 and today we made the engine mounts. tomorrow i'm gonna fabricate the gearbox mountingplate soo it will hang 100% on his own.
The first thing i must say is that this will gonna be a verry though built.. because the engine is really big for suchs a narrow car... and there will be a lot of stuff i need to rethink about.. But for every problem there's a solution!
My brother made a fake engine. it's just some plates and a beam with has the same with as the engine brackets.
Here are some pictures of the build.

pretty big block for suchs a small car.....

nice and tight over here!

pretty big transmission!

the "fake"engine

just need to grained down the brackets for the better looks and than its good!

TADA!!! he's in there!

greetings,
Meindert Bunt

go4carter · Post by **go4carter** » Jan 02, 2009 6:28 PM

You.

Rule.

filmy · Post by **filmy** » Jan 02, 2009 7:07 PM

Muta Fokker! So that's what my E34's engine looks like!

Best of luck on that swap. It's a very worthwhile project. Get ready to fab up some brake booster linkage...

And keep us posted. Great pics!

VW+bimmer=bliss · Post by **VW+bimmer=bliss** » Jan 02, 2009 8:03 PM

damn that looks like serious fun 8)

Paul in N FL · Post by **Paul in N FL** » Jan 04, 2009 11:55 PM

VW+bimmer=bliss wrote:damn that looks like serious fun 8)

looks, and will be serious fun

b-tuning · Post by **b-tuning** » Jan 05, 2009 11:39 AM

yes i sure hope it's gonna be prettyyy

because it takes some time to get at that stage..
About the brake linkage, i've found a guy who want to swap his 540 brake linkage and main cilinder for my english style exhaustheaders (i'll get his europe style headers too) because i can't do anything with the english ones because my steeringbox is in the way and my startermotor is on left side instead on the right (i need to cut out a the startermotor spacing on the right)

greets

87royal · Post by **87royal** » Jan 05, 2009 12:18 PM

good luck with the project.

Chrishamman · Post by **Chrishamman** » Jan 10, 2009 5:55 AM

I'm in the US and bought a euro M535 from a friend that owned it since new. Its a classic that I am going to keep very stock, but I love what you did with your M535. Keep posting pics and I hope to see a video of it running.

b-tuning · Post by **b-tuning** » Jan 10, 2009 10:31 AM

Are there a lot of differences with the euro edition and the US edition? i never seen a US one.(i think.. or otherwise i don't see the difference)
I'm gonna keep the exterieur as stock as possible(i like how it looks rightnow) expect on the rims and exhaust tips.. But meaby my taste changes before its done.
If course i will upload some video's when the engine is running because for me thats a milestone!

keep you guys updated but on the moment i'm not gonna do a lot on the car because its -12 rightnow(super cold for the netherlands) and its pretty cold in our garage.

greetings,
Meindert

Chrishamman · Post by **Chrishamman** » Jan 10, 2009 2:27 PM

The M535s were not supposed to be sold in the us as far as I know. There were gray market importers who were bringing them in and getting them Department of Transportation approved. My friend knew one such importer and they brough in two. A black and a white. He put up both for sale and kept the one left. THe black one sold first.

Paul in N FL · Post by **Paul in N FL** » Jan 19, 2009 6:46 PM

is it done?

Post by **Brad D.** » Jan 19, 2009 11:22 PM

What an awesome project!

b-tuning · Post by **b-tuning** » Jan 24, 2009 7:27 AM

HOHO it's not done

last update:
i've been verry busy at work and at home soo i didn't had any time to work on the 5-er... But i've got a new radiator

for the 5-er soo i'm hoping i'm able to work on the car tomorrow

The new radiateur

greetings,
Meindert

Aussie M · Post by **Aussie M** » Feb 25, 2009 10:05 PM

Awesome project

Keep the pic's coming

Brick_Man · Post by **Brick_Man** » Feb 26, 2009 7:54 AM

Hi there! Are you based in the Netherlands?

I'm just interested to know how bad this rust is in this pic?

I'm buying a similar car and the outer wing is rusted in the same place, I'm worried the rust could have affected the inner wing/ structure of the car like in the photo!
Is it just surface rust or is it quite bad?

Thanks. And amazing project! that is a HUGE engine to shoehorn into a small car, and it looks fantastic, shame the 740 got ripped up, but theres plenty of them, and that engine is ok in the 7, not amazing, but that engine in an e28 WILL be amazing!

rlomba8204 · Post by **rlomba8204** » Feb 26, 2009 9:23 PM

Owning both an e28 and e32, while I appreciate the skill that it takes to do what you are doing it occurs to me that it really doesn't make sense to tear up a perfectly good e32 740i / iL to bastardize an M535i. Moreover, assuming tearing up a perfectly good BMW wasn't a sufficient disincentive, there wasn't a powertrain available from a wreck instead of what appeared to be a perfectly serviceable e32 740 -- wouldn't that have been cheaper? And the end result of killing the 740 is that the M535i is now going to be a heavy pig. For example, with respect to the 5hp30 transmission, did know that it was bigger than what was needed in the e32 and subsequent e38 -- BMW decided that the e38 would use the 5hp24 after US MY '95. Why not use the 6 speed manual if going through all this trouble? So while this is an interesting project, and I admire the skill and creativity needed to accomplish it, at the end of the day, I think you are probably ruining an e32 and bastardizing an M535i. And if you are going to do this, why not find a rust free car on which to do it?

Oh, and the M60 is more than OK in the e32. It's actually perfect.

Goes to prove anything can be done. Question is whether it is worth it.

photopark · Post by **photopark** » Feb 27, 2009 12:41 AM

rlomba8204 wrote:Owning both an e28 and e32, while I appreciate the skill that it takes to do what you are doing it occurs to me that it really doesn't make sense to tear up a perfectly good e32 740i / iL to bastardize an M535i. Moreover, assuming tearing up a perfectly good BMW wasn't a sufficient disincentive, there wasn't a powertrain available from a wreck instead of what appeared to be a perfectly serviceable e32 740 -- wouldn't that have been cheaper? And the end result of killing the 740 is that the M535i is now going to be a heavy pig. For example, with respect to the 5hp30 transmission, did know that it was bigger than what was needed in the e32 and subsequent e38 -- BMW decided that the e38 would use the 5hp24 after US MY '95. Why not use the 6 speed manual if going through all this trouble? So while this is an interesting project, and I admire the skill and creativity needed to accomplish it, at the end of the day, I think you are probably ruining an e32 and bastardizing an M535i. And if you are going to do this, why not find a rust free car on which to do it?

Oh, and the M60 is more than OK in the e32. It's actually perfect.

Goes to prove anything can be done. Question is whether it is worth it.

Oh Jesus, Is every 740i sacred?

This is mye28 not mye32!

red535t · Post by **red535t** » Feb 27, 2009 12:51 AM

good luck with the project.
looks like your well on your way.
a 6 speed manual box would work very well,in the performance and weight stakes,but i have looked for a very long time and nothing's turning up.
either way 300nm of torque is going to move the light weight e28 body very well.
have you considered fitting a rack and pinion setup out of a e39?saves weight and space that the steering box takes up.

Anyway cheers and
groetijs martyn

RonP · Post by **RonP** » Feb 27, 2009 10:11 AM

What sort of exaust manifolds are you using?

rlomba8204 · Post by **rlomba8204** » Feb 27, 2009 10:15 AM

photopark wrote:
Oh Jesus, Is every 740i sacred?

This is mye28 not mye32!

I understand, but you don't think that it would have made more sense, from the enthusiast's perspective and a financial perspective, to not tear apart a perfectly good car to accomplish these ends? My reaction would have been similar had he cut up pretty much any perfectly good BMW to accomplish this project. It's one thing if you've got access to a good M60 and a six speed transmission, and a nice BMW shell. But to cut up a perfectly good car of a newer vintage that appeared to be in better condition to put the drivetrain into what appears to be a rusty M535i? Add in the fact that the drivetrain is an automatic, which because of its size and weight is not at all suited to an e28 chassis and you get further blank stares from me.

As I said, forgive me for being less than enthusiastic about the concept although, as I said, I admire the skill and expertise that it takes to accomplish such a project.

photopark · Post by **photopark** » Feb 28, 2009 12:09 AM

rlomba8204 wrote:
photopark wrote:
Oh Jesus, Is every 740i sacred?

This is mye28 not mye32!
I understand, but you don't think that it would have made more sense, from the enthusiast's perspective and a financial perspective, to not tear apart a perfectly good car to accomplish these ends? My reaction would have been similar had he cut up pretty much any perfectly good BMW to accomplish this project. It's one thing if you've got access to a good M60 and a six speed transmission, and a nice BMW shell. But to cut up a perfectly good car of a newer vintage that appeared to be in better condition to put the drivetrain into what appears to be a rusty M535i? Add in the fact that the drivetrain is an automatic, which because of its size and weight is not at all suited to an e28 chassis and you get further blank stares from me.

As I said, forgive me for being less than enthusiastic about the concept although, as I said, I admire the skill and expertise that it takes to accomplish such a project.

Yes but a 740i is like a Crown Victoria in Holland.

tn535i · Post by **tn535i** » Mar 04, 2009 8:16 AM

The 740 is just a stimulus plan for the 535. Isn't that the way it's done these days.

JamesM3M5 · Post by **JamesM3M5** » May 11, 2009 10:23 PM

I wonder what you can do for the brake booster setup. I have a feeling it will require a manual dual-master cylinder setup.

I will be doing the same later this summer, so keep updating us with pics and progress.

Thanks!

Hans308GT4 · Post by **Hans308GT4** » Jul 26, 2009 9:31 AM

Hi Meindert,

How are things progressing?

Whereabout are you in NL? I've got V8 plans as well and would love to come over and chat a bit...

I'm in Utrecht.

Cheers

Hans

b-tuning · Post by **b-tuning** » Aug 16, 2009 12:07 PM

Hello guys,

First of all, sorry i've been offline for soooooo long! I've forgotten this topic and my i'm not on my old computer anymore..
But Anyway i want to react to some of the replies made on my topic.

lomba8204: The only reason why i bought the 740 on ebay.co.uk, is because it's way cheaper (i mean 1000 euro's cheaper! thats like 1600 dollars!) than buying a wreck in holland. And the main thing it's complete... soo not just a engine on a pallet.. but everything you need!
I know it's not the nicest way if you're a real vintage bmw fan, but those english bmw's are hard to drive in the rest of the world (cause of the steering wheel is on the wrong side) and the land on the crapeyard Anyway cause the're wurth the shit in the UK.
Anyway i think it's you're own right to think about me what you want. But i'm willing to fix up an real old bmw instead of keeping one that is not as old and where are made much more off too, and the parts of the 740 will go for sale soo they help others!
And if you find a better M535i with less rust in Holland for the money i've spent than just give me a notice!

To clear the weight issue some guys mentioned. The M60B40 is 6kg leighter (NOT heavier!!!) than the 6 cilinder that was in it.. it weighs just 208kg dry!
The automatic is 10kg heavier than the one from a e28.. but this one will stay in one piece on the strip.. the reason why not to buy a manual one is that i like automatics and its really hard to find a manual trannie that fits on to a V8.. there not that much laying on the scrapeyard! or the cost really a lot!
cause of the way i put the engine in, the over all weight is going to get as far back as possible.
And an M5 E28 has the same horsepower.. soo the overall strength of the car should be strong enough!

Well enough about the reactions i don't want to come over as a cranky old man:D
Lets get back on to my project!

I've been verry busy at work soo i couldn't do as much as i wanted but, I'm almost done with my manifolds.. but because it's holiday rightnow i can't get parts for it...
here some pictures of it(it's a reallly thight squeze soo thats why there not that good on some spots performance whise)
The manifold is made of 50mm 1,5mm thick RVSstainless tubbing

this is on the side that has a lot of room

this is the side where the steering collom is on.. i'm a lot further than this picture but i still need to upload the new pictures..

I've been mounting the brake caliper of a M5 (E34?!?!) which has the brake caliper at the headlights and i'm working on some problems about that area. And i'm working on how to connect the engine electrics..

I will post some more pictures when i can.

Hans308GT4: i live in the Eindhoven area. If you want to come over for a cup of coffee feel free to give me a message!

bye bye

Post by **mooseheadm5** » Aug 16, 2009 1:53 PM

b-tuning wrote: I've been mounting the brake caliper of a M5 (E34?!?!) which has the brake caliper at the headlights and i'm working on some problems about that area. And i'm working on how to connect the engine electrics..

I bet that you mean the brake booster and master cylinder that the E34 V8 cars used. That is how I have seen others do this conversion as well.

nealglobalauto · Post by **nealglobalauto** » Dec 10, 2009 10:08 AM

nice work! Couple questions. Did the oil pan have to be modded at all? How about the steering box clearance? Thanks.

Chrishamman · Post by **Chrishamman** » Dec 10, 2009 1:11 PM

Thanks for keeping me up to date on your V8 conversion. Send more pics as it progresses.
C Hamman

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

My V8 powered M535i

My V8 powered M535i

v-8 conversion