Minerva: The S54 powered, better than new, E28

[tig]

Ummmmm, this car has practically already been built.
While I don't feel that it is a bad route to go, I thought you might be a little more creative.
(No hate, Charlie. Truly.)
That being said, having driven Sia's S54 E28 (w/M button), you are correct, it will be a hoot to drive. I would get a lawyer now.

Also, a few clarifications to your 'spec' sheet...

944 Booster - Vacuum, correct? I'm sure it's assumed, but a 25mm Master cylinder should be on your brake upgrade list.
Steering box - you're not going with an M unit? Have you tried one? Maybe you want slower steering... But I would think that there will be plenty of opposite lock going on...

Wheels, as much as I lovelovelove 16s on E28s, 17s are pretty great, too. Plus you can still get the Pilot Super Sports in 17". I think you will want some pretty serious meat to put the power down, but I would try to stick to a square setup (wheels AND tires) for simplicity's sake. (LOL, simplicity in an S54 car... Ha!) You may have to get creative IRT wheel offsets and tire widths when you start messing with the 750 trailing arms. I'm sure you've referenced my thread. If not, I would suggest it. There are some compromises, but nothing that I think you would be averse to. But it is something I would test fit extensively before your body and paint work.

Hmmmmmm. This should go at least 150 pages.

Good stuff Adam. Thanks.

Re: Uniqueness: Not really a goal to do something nobody's done before.

Yes, vacuum. Good point on the 25mm master.

I have two standard steering boxes here. I have been 'undecided' on an M5 box, mostly because I haven't really driven an M5 much. You pointing this out will motivate me to go drive Ivo's around and pay attention to that.

Yes, I've read your thread WRT TAs and wheels. I still have lots to figure out there...

[muleskinner]

Definitely one I'll follow. I like the extra touches like the e34 seats and upgraded audio.

Am just hoping OcCoupe got hacked, and that he didn't really post that crap.

[Jon2830]

Really interested to see the outcome of this, good luck and hopefully you complete it by your deadline.

[Tammer in Philly]

You'll want the M5 steering box.

Also a short enough diff to take advantage of the 8k RPM available, though I didn't read closely enough to see if you've spec'd a gear yet. 3.73:1 are plentiful and likely a good ratio for the motor; US M5s of course used 3.91:1 but the S54's extra ~80 HP makes the shorter gear a bit less necessary.

-tammer

[tig]

You'll want the M5 steering box.

Also a short enough diff to take advantage of the 8k RPM available, though I didn't read closely enough to see if you've spec'd a gear yet. 3.73:1 are plentiful and likely a good ratio for the motor; US M5s of course used 3.91:1 but the S54's extra ~80 HP makes the shorter gear a bit less necessary.

-tammer

Thanks for the vote on the M5 box. Yep 3.73 is what I've spec'd.

[bkbimmer]

Get started already, do it for the little people.

[EventuallyAyrton]

Get started already, do it for the little people.

Do it for the little people, Cek, the small tiny baby ones. *sheds tear*

[geordi]

Looking forward to seeing this build.

[bkbimmer]

Looking forward to seeing this build.

Exactly, ain't nobody got time for pre memoirs!

[davintosh]

As much as I like the idea of an S54-powered e28, I'm really truly disappointed, Charlie. I thought we had this settled...

I appreciate everyone's perspectives (except, of course, Davintosh's electric ideas) here.

That hurts, Charlie. Really hurts.

I won't try to sell you on something you don't want -- it's your decision to make -- but you asked for options, and as I read your post, your criteria were as follows, and I think electric hits most every point:

• ... looking and being generally unique and cool.
  Check
• ... commute to work in it...
  Plug-in electrics are perfect for commuting.
• ... overall balance is important. Not too heavy. Not too light. Not too powerful. Not too squirrelly.
  Would require some creativity, but not out of the question. Battery technology has come a long way, baby.
• ... Not loud.
  Most definitely.
  
• ... Smooth torque curve.
  Absolutely. Unparalleled.
• ... I only want to use metric tools.
  Well, yeah; most are made in the Far East.
• ... a great torque curve,
  Absolutely. Unparalleled.
• ... good power, and should be bullet-proof reliable.
  Check.
• ... I also don't want to take on the impossible (or be the only/first to have done it).

Electric conversions are becoming more & more common. Wouldn't require any more fabrication than transplanting a BMW V8 into an e28. Probably less.

Then you said, "... Expand my mind. Give me ideas. Further inspire me." Yet you refuse to consider anything other than an ICE?!?!

I'm beginning to wonder how serious you are about this. If there's anybody on this board who could pull this off and do it well, it's you. Don't let down your fan base, Charlie.

You make a well articulated, clear argument. You've convinced me. If anyone needs me, I'll be busy perusing the dark recesses of Amazon and eBay for cool electric motors and controllers and whatnot.

I'm totally up to the challenge of figuring out how to do it... especially the weight part (batteries). Even though an 80s saloon chassis just isn't conductive (pun intended) to good battery placement, I think I have a good plan in mind.

And I even designed a cool roundel to go on it for you.



What the heck happened between, "You've convinced me," and "I think I'll go plunk down a wad of cash for bits to build an homage to Sia's car"?

[tig]

As much as I like the idea of an S54-powered e28, I'm really truly disappointed, Charlie. I thought we had this settled...

I appreciate everyone's perspectives (except, of course, Davintosh's electric ideas) here.

That hurts, Charlie. Really hurts.

I won't try to sell you on something you don't want -- it's your decision to make -- but you asked for options, and as I read your post, your criteria were as follows, and I think electric hits most every point:

• ... looking and being generally unique and cool.
  Check
• ... commute to work in it...
  Plug-in electrics are perfect for commuting.
• ... overall balance is important. Not too heavy. Not too light. Not too powerful. Not too squirrelly.
  Would require some creativity, but not out of the question. Battery technology has come a long way, baby.
• ... Not loud.
  Most definitely.
  
• ... Smooth torque curve.
  Absolutely. Unparalleled.
• ... I only want to use metric tools.
  Well, yeah; most are made in the Far East.
• ... a great torque curve,
  Absolutely. Unparalleled.
• ... good power, and should be bullet-proof reliable.
  Check.
• ... I also don't want to take on the impossible (or be the only/first to have done it).

Electric conversions are becoming more & more common. Wouldn't require any more fabrication than transplanting a BMW V8 into an e28. Probably less.

Then you said, "... Expand my mind. Give me ideas. Further inspire me." Yet you refuse to consider anything other than an ICE?!?!

I'm beginning to wonder how serious you are about this. If there's anybody on this board who could pull this off and do it well, it's you. Don't let down your fan base, Charlie.

You make a well articulated, clear argument. You've convinced me. If anyone needs me, I'll be busy perusing the dark recesses of Amazon and eBay for cool electric motors and controllers and whatnot.

I'm totally up to the challenge of figuring out how to do it... especially the weight part (batteries). Even though an 80s saloon chassis just isn't conductive (pun intended) to good battery placement, I think I have a good plan in mind.

And I even designed a cool roundel to go on it for you.



What the heck happened between, "You've convinced me," and "I think I'll go plunk down a wad of cash for bits to build an homage to Sia's car"?

Your document forgery skills rank up there with Hillary's ability to deceive.

[Blue Shadow]

DICK VOMIT, good name for a band.

I thought Dick Vomit was the drummer for Hocking Phlegm.

[ElGuappo]

I think you'll want to reconsider the 3.73 with the 420G.
I will be using a 3.07 with a 420G and M60 4.4l in my E23. Mine is a highway mile eater, not a firebreather, so I wanted the taller rear end.

The 420G is 4.32:1 in 1st gear, and with the 3.73, at every take off, you will be at 4500rpm just for 21mph. And a not terrible 2800rpm for 68mph.
Not saying the revving of that motor won't be a blast, but for a DD I think you should look at a 3.46.
Just a consideration, but I look forward to your progress.

[tig]

I think you'll want to reconsider the 3.73 with the 420G.
I will be using a 3.07 with a 420G and M60 4.4l in my E23. Mine is a highway mile eater, not a firebreather, so I wanted the taller rear end.

The 420G is 4.32:1 in 1st gear, and with the 3.73, at every take off, you will be at 4500rpm just for 21mph. And a not terrible 2800rpm for 68mph.
Not saying the revving of that motor won't be a blast, but for a DD I think you should look at a 3.46.
Just a consideration, but I look forward to your progress.

Good news is I have a 3.46S on a shelf here and swapping diffs is cake.

[davintosh]

Your document forgery skills rank up there with Hillary's ability to deceive.

Why thank you! I think...

Come on though, tell me you at least considered electric power...

[rmiddendorf]

Your probably already know this but B7Turbo did one a few years back. He might be good for help- or his shop.

I had the opportunity to ride in it with ldsbeaker behind the wheel, Cactus and someone else went too. I was down to my last clean pair of underwear so I didn't go, which may have been a good idea. I think I recall ldsbeaker saying it may be one of the fastest E28s ever.

Cactus' face was green when they returned. He couldn't form a complete sentence for two hours.

[Tammer in Philly]

You'll want the M5 steering box.

Also a short enough diff to take advantage of the 8k RPM available, though I didn't read closely enough to see if you've spec'd a gear yet. 3.73:1 are plentiful and likely a good ratio for the motor; US M5s of course used 3.91:1 but the S54's extra ~80 HP makes the shorter gear a bit less necessary.

-tammer

Thanks for the vote on the M5 box. Yep 3.73 is what I've spec'd.

To give the vote some weight, I have owned and tracked both E28 535 and M5, on the same set of wheels/tires no less. Obviously the S38 is the biggest change to the car, but the steering box is a notable and welcome improvement when you drive the two on the same circuit.

[tig]

Your probably already know this but B7Turbo did one a few years back. He might be good for help- or his shop.

I had the opportunity to ride in it with ldsbeaker behind the wheel, Cactus and someone else went too. I was down to my last clean pair of underwear so I didn't go, which may have been a good idea. I think I recall ldsbeaker saying it may be one of the fastest E28s ever.

Cactus' face was green when the returned. He couldn't form a complete sentence for two hours.

Yep. Well aware of Sia's car. He's been helpful answering some questions in his thread. I also have gotten great input/guidance/pictures from Chuckne who put one in his M5.

The fact Sia's car is Arcticblau is a big reason my car won't stay Arcticblau.

I know of 3 E28s with S54s. There are probably more:

- Sia's (@B7Turbo) 525 http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=108450
- @Chuckne's M5 http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=83925
- @mortenkapi's Schulz (touring) http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=136921

[KrautnotRice]

Since you're building your ultimate E28 I'm surprised that a steering rack conversion is not on your spec sheet.
I'm sure M5/6 boxes are much better than regular E28, but for the price they demand plus the weight savings of rack conversion...

Either way I'll be following along and looking forward to another great thread!
Thanks for sharing.

[oldskool]

Cactus' face was green when the returned. He couldn't form a complete sentence for two hours.

That's how we like him. . .

[Sapotorito]

Subscribed!

[leadphut]

[bkbimmer]

an s54 is the only thing that'd get me to read yet another cek-thread.

let's get cracking big boi! make daddy proud!

Reading is hard.

[dsmith]

I have an M5 steering box that's going into my Arcticblau e28.

I vote for Henna

[tig]

I have an M5 steering box that's going into my Arcticblau e28.

I vote for Henna

Last time I checked Henna was decidedly NOT blue.

But, know that I seriously considered Hennarot for this car. One of my favorite BMW hues.