The V8 Owners Forum -

Hi guys. Im new here but trying to find out more about fitting a BMW V8 (into an innocent Sunbeam Alpine ) I found a website by someone who had put one into a Capri, but nothing else. I rather fancy the idea of a modern 32v with decent fuel and ign control. 6 speed manuals do appear on ebay from time to time,so...

Hi welcome
Sounds an interesting idea, I know little of the engine beyond saying I would find one that doesn't need tuning or any real work, ie try and get a low milage unit out of a crash wreck with the power output you want in standard form, rebuilding and tuning of BMW units is not somthing you want to take on unless you are very rich especially V8s (you see the ocasional rebuilt M3 spec on racecars direct for 15K to 25K depending on whether it has actually been run), I think they are used by hillclimbers. I seem to remember they are pretty light weight and I think pretty tall with the standard sump, obviously dry sumping would help.
Best regards
Mike

Certainly dont fancy rebuilding one ! Part of the appeal is that they normally do huge mileages without grief. According to someone on a BMW forum, they measure 26" from sump to top of cam covers. I thought width would have been a bigger issue.

Get in contact with a guy called "Tony D" on the UK Cobra Club forum.

He fitted one of these into a kit car and managed to sort out all the electronic etc issues.

He's now doing the same with Lexus V8's

i think on turbosport somone is putting 1 in a hillman imp. try looking there

healeyneil wrote:Certainly dont fancy rebuilding one ! Part of the appeal is that they normally do huge mileages without grief. According to someone on a BMW forum, they measure 26" from sump to top of cam covers. I thought width would have been a bigger issue.

Not sure they are ultra reliable by the E39 forum I subscribe to. Tales of oil leaks, cooling issues, vanos problems etc abound. Far more so than the six cylinder. And even just changing gaskets seems to cost a deal in both money and time. I'd be inclined to look at the Lexus unit. The car itself isn't much liked.

Neil,

The lexus V8 is a nice engine and if you want an auto box they are also very good.

Alternatively you could look at the all alloy modular Ford V8, 4.6 single OHC approx 255 BHP as fitted to the MG ZT 260 or 32 valve DOHC 300= BHP from the Mustang can be had for very food prices off e-bay UK. also with Matching T56 5 speed manual gearboxes.

Any of the DOHC 32 valve engines are a lot wider at the top which could give you problems of fitting it into an Alpine engine bay, quite a lot of work was required to fit the original Ford windsor V8 260/289 engines for the Tiger, including I believe conversion to rack and pinion steering.

There are some nice Alpine/Tigers on the British V8 Forum which may be helpful for you. http://www.britishv8.org/Photos-Sunbeam-Conversions.htm

Hope thats a help.

Kevin.

Thanks for the replies to date. The BMW is tempting because the whole lot would come in one package. Unfortunately forums sometimes get themselves in a tizzy over things - google BMW swirl flaps as an example. I just sold my BMW diesel, but my local specialist had told me the problem was not at all severe.
The 32 valve engine are wide I know
When the Tiger was built, they had to get rid of the steering box and fit R & P steering - and they got the ackerman wrong !

Hi
Isn't the Alpine/tiger overlapping front swing axels?? not a set up you could ever have the acerman correct in anything but static ride height.
Mike

Alpine has unequal wishbones with a coilover up the middle. The original Alpine supposedly handled quite well

Ah
you live and learn not half as exciting driving one as I thought it must be, I wonder what had the swingaxels in the front then
Best regards
Mike

healeyneil wrote:Thanks for the replies to date. The BMW is tempting because the whole lot would come in one package. Unfortunately forums sometimes get themselves in a tizzy over things - google BMW swirl flaps as an example. I just sold my BMW diesel, but my local specialist had told me the problem was not at all severe.

Whilst that is true, I have a six cylinder BMW of that type so can apply a filter based on percentages. Although to be fair is is mainly a US group and some there are very keen on 'preventative maintenance' - ie throwing money on a problem that may not exist...

The 32 valve engine are wide I know
When the Tiger was built, they had to get rid of the steering box and fit R & P steering - and they got the ackerman wrong !

One possible problem with the BMW unit is the position of the oil pump - this made it impossible to use R&P steering on the E39. So make sure it will fit without sump alterations.

healeyneil wrote:Thanks for the replies to date. The BMW is tempting because the whole lot would come in one package. Unfortunately forums sometimes get themselves in a tizzy over things - google BMW swirl flaps as an example. I just sold my BMW diesel, but my local specialist had told me the problem was not at all severe.

Whilst that is true, I have a six cylinder BMW of that type so can apply a filter based on percentages. Although to be fair is is mainly a US group and some there are very keen on 'preventative maintenance' - ie throwing money on a problem that may not exist...

The 32 valve engine are wide I know
When the Tiger was built, they had to get rid of the steering box and fit R & P steering - and they got the ackerman wrong !

One possible problem with the BMW unit is the position of the oil pump - this made it impossible to use R&P steering on the E39. So make sure it will fit without sump alterations.

Thanks. I had heard about the oil pump. Being a cheapskate, I was thinking about getting a manual 540 for a grand, then selling off the bits I dont need. If instead I go for a Lexus, theres making it into a manual, sorting ECU etc extra etc At least there is no rush !

Hi
If you are going to buy a whole running car and transplant, move the diff across aswell, just no messing about with spedo cables (if you move the spedo across) the loom off the BM can do the engine, ecu, drive train bit and the original loom can do lights etc and all the plugs will fit. No custom propshafts (beyond chopping it to the right length), yes you may have to put in indipendent rear suspension but that is a small price to pay for not Pi55ing around with spedo cables/drive, propshafts etc, you have the BM for most of the bits you need.
Best regards
Mike