Engine change,

[Sean d]

I am considering a bigger engine for my Z guys, ideally I would like to go for a 3.0, are they available and what would be the easiest donor apart from Z3, what are the pit falls of such a change, thanks

 

[Grumps]

Lol! Has it got the better of you mate! No mechanic as I'm sure you'll know by now but breaks and suspension for starters will need to be upgraded. I'm sure @Lee @GazHyde @t-tony and others will be along soon to point you in the right direction. A 2.8 may be easier to source.Good luck with it, don't scratch that lovely paint changing the engines over.

 

[Sean d]

Lol! Has it got the better of you mate! No mechanic as I'm sure you'll know by now but breaks and suspension for starters will need to be upgraded. I'm sure @Lee @GazHyde @t-tony and others will be along soon to point you in the right direction. A 2.8 may be easier to source.Good luck with it, don't scratch that lovely paint changing the engines over.

I was thinking that the Eibachs would deal with the suspension side of things mate, brakes are a piece of cake,

 

[Grumps]

I was thinking that the Eibachs would deal with the suspension side of things mate, brakes are a piece of cake,

I'll shut up then lol!!!

 

[GazHyde]

Something BMW 6 cylinder would involve the least amount of effort. The M54B30 was used in a lot of models, 3's & 5's and early X's too. When I looked in to them there seemed plenty about, and would give you about an 80bhp jump (at least on paper!).

 

[Faheem]

I wonder how long something like this would take? Obviously it'd depend all on the engine chosen as replacement and the expertise of the individual doing it but at some point in the very very distant future, when my mechanical skills have improved sightly I'm considering doing a similar thing but with a 2.8.

Sure, most of you will say sell my car and buy a 2.8 but I cant justify doing that when I know my car is mechanically perfect now and the actual car itself looks lovely. The car does need a name though.

 

[Brian4]

I think the sump from a 3.0 is specific to Z3 and hard to source on their own. The 2.0 is an M52 engine but the 3.0 is M54 and has elctronic throttle (No cable) so you would need the ECU, loom and throttle pedal. Looks as if the gearbox is different as well between the 2.0 and 2.8/3.0.

 

[oldcarman]

I wonder how long something like this would take? Obviously it'd depend all on the engine chosen as replacement and the expertise of the individual doing it but at some point in the very very distant future, when my mechanical skills have improved sightly I'm considering doing a similar thing but with a 2.8.

Sure, most of you will say sell my car and buy a 2.8 but I cant justify doing that when I know my car is mechanically perfect now and the actual car itself looks lovely. The car does need a name though.

I would be one against selling just to upgrade the engine. You've got the car to a point that a motor change makes sense!! JMHO though. JIM

 

[smiffy]

M62 or N62 would make a nice project!

 

[Dino D]

I'd suggest buying a donor car rather than just engine and then get everything you need them sell the remains.


But if you going to do it just whack a V8 in, the pain job deserves it!

 

[the Nefyn cat]

V8?

 

[Sean d]

V8?

Wish I had the funds to create that, maybe in 5 years when I can hit my pension

 

[NZ00Z3]

+1 on buying a donor 3.0L Z3, otherwise there are just a mile of items to find, fit and program. It not just the mechanical stuff but also the electrical stuff plus DME coding and EWS delete/alignment etc.

With one eye closed, I can count 6 tubes on the manifold of the yellow M Power car, so that's a V12 powered Z3.

The LS V8 swaps are well documented on the USA sites, mainly due to the large number of second hand engines over there. You could import one.

Maybe find your favorite BMW V8 and fit it or stick to the simpler plan of fitting a BMW straight 6 like you have suggested.

I don't know what your car modification laws are like where you are. Suggest you check out what you need to do for compliance and keeping the car road legal before you purchase any parts.

 

[billz]

The Air intakes on the 3.0 are also a different size to the rest of the other models. You may even have to swap some if not the whole wiring loom

 

[Grumps]

Yep agree on getting a donor car mate. Be easier and you can recoup some of the costs selling the bits off.

 

[Brian H]

@Sean d, if you are serious about this I have a 3.0 lump, gearbox, ECU etc. that I could be persuaded to part with, 36000 genuine miles on the clock.

 

[Grumps]

Blimey that could be a lucky land Sean! Good on ya @Brian H

 

[the Nefyn cat]

If the BMW version of the Z3 V12 doesn't take your fancy, how about some Russian loony creation? https://www.drive2.ru/r/bmw/307969/
Or the American version http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1775964-Z3-v12-twin-turbo

 

[Sean d]

@Sean d, if you are serious about this I have a 3.0 lump, gearbox, ECU etc. that I could be persuaded to part with, 36000 genuine miles on the clock.

That sounds very tempting but I think I might be biting off more then I can chew,

 

[Brian H]

That sounds very tempting but I think I might be biting off more then I can chew,

OK Sean, fully understand. Good luck which ever route you take