alternativez2003

Really cool! I made a similar speedo pickup on my m42 in my '76 2002, and it works fine. Maybe line the sensor up a little straighter. Nice job. I'm still thinking of my '85 635 engine in the Z, just because I have everything to do it. Good luck!

Noting some of the comments here, I suggest visiting the BMW Roadfly forums. Lots of good ideas there. I'd like to supercharge the m30 in my Z, but no one has a setup yet. The choice of engine depends on the sort of character one wants in the car. I've done the V8 in the Z, actually way back in '73. I like the six, since the Z was designed for that format. I also liked the very strong, determined way the 3.5 pulled my big, overweight 635 around with plenty of gusto, and it simply reminded me of the lightweight Z that I really wanted to be driving, about a ton less than the 635, so I figured it would do for me. I also like the "old school" look of the older BMW engine, plenty of aluminum to polish, and I'm not keen on plastic covers. And...sometimes we just go with what we have. There is also a connection between Datsun and BMW, so I'm doing a little tribute to old Albrecht Goertz, (but I shouldn't mention that on a Z forum). My little '76 2002 should zip with the m42, and there is a nice Downing Atlanta supercharger kit already set up for that engine. Can't wait. So, Pick the engine/car combination that drives the way you want it to. It's really cool to build a Z in such a personal way. Have fun. Jim

Hey there, This is interesting. I've started a m30 from my '85 635 into my '70 240Z. It's a tough fit, but it will work. I've got a post here on one of the other sub forums from a while back. I've also got a '76 2002 with a '91 m42 very nearly done. BMW engines are great. Good job with this forum. Later, Jim

Have you considered the weight of the v12 in the rear of the Fiero? I had an X1/9 years ago and even that was not so much fun in the rain. The front was so light it lifted and hydroplaned quite easily. I'm all for swaps, but you will lose the quickness and agility of such a light car in favor of what would be considered a cruising engine. Swaps within a mark or within an engine configuration are enough work and re-engineering, but give it a shot if that's your desire. It will cost you a fortune. I've spent nearly 3G putting an m42 BMW engine into my 76 2002 with all the new seals, gaskets, mounts I've made, the donor car, etc, and I do it all myself. I'm putting my 3.5 m30 L6 from my 85 635 into my '70 240Z, and it will no doubt run a bit more as it is more of a restoration at the same time. I'm certainly not trying to discourage you; just try to be realistic so you don't get into it and then feel trapped. I doubt you could get your money out of a half done project like that if you hit an unsurmountable obstacle, and the odds seem stacked. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I'm still holding on the 3.5 m30 into my 70 240Z, because other stuff just keeps getting in the way. Right now I'm putting the m42 1.8 DOHC with factory header and 5 speed, diff and all from a 91 318is into my 76 BMW 2002. Downing Atlanta also has put together a supercharger kit for the m42, which should make it pretty smart. Then I'll have two of the coolest cars ever made, the last year of the 2002, and the first year of the Z, both with upgraded BMW drivetrains! Well, in my opinion anyway. That M3 engine would be a tough one from any perspective, but I'm not one to dissuade another nut from trying something tough. Good luck.

If you can't sell or give it away, and you can't keep it, I second the "call the junkyard," and the (Great shot Auxilary) the sawsall techniques. Around here, with a title signed and noted "junk" you can have it hauled off and get $25 for the shell, no need to cut it up. Check your local classifieds ads. It's a good way to clean out the garage of old flywheels, cracked heads, etc, while you are at it. You don't even need wheels on it, set it up on a couple of blocks or your floor jack, and they will drag it on to the truck or trailor.

Thanks for Pete's Page and the centering comments. Actually I meant vertically, left/right. So you are aligning your engine to the diff which is off-centered? I am replacing everything with a BMW drivetrain which was centered in the original car, so I was planning to center it vertically in the Z. I got alarmed when I saw your post, that there might be some reason, even particular to the Z, for aligning off center. Also the bimmer driveshaft is a two piece with a center bearing, so setting up the horizontal diff angles is flexible. So, I think I will continue on my plan, but I have appreciated your information and the comments you have generated on the subject. Every bit of information is helpful to getting the job done right. What engine are you using? Maybe I missed that somewhere. Good luck with yours. Nice precision work.

Ah, so this one's been around the block a time or two...Cool car though

OK, so maybe an uninformed question: Why are your engine's and drivetrain's centerline not on the car's centerline? I'm in the middle of aligning mine and don't want to screw things up. I figured everything should be centered. I appreciate this thread, very informative. What was "Pete's webpage" that you referred to? Thanks

gotta say, "I like it!" There are a few little oddities: the battery box, the rear bumper missing, but it has some real character, not to be messed with, I'd say. I kind of like the rear panel in contrast to the black. Interesting. I wouldn't have thought it would look that good. Very tough.

You have a good idea, but our 2004 MINI S automatically regulates both wiper speed adjustment and volume, not constantly of course, but at stops. You might check to see if Jeep has such a switch or relay on a later model and wire it in. Seems rather unnecessary really, just more complexity to pay for and have to repair someday. I don't know if I want my wipers flapping wildly just because I'm going 80. Just kidding. Nice idea though. By the way, your correction of the Hyundai spelling suggests you would like to be correct in yours: agent, financial, unless, and potentiometer, and "miss associated" might be replaced by mistaken or misinterpreted. Good luck with your ideas. I invented the currently-under-development highway guidance system when I was 10 years old, some 40+ years ago. My HO roadrace set and riding in the reverse seat, staring nervously at the semi grills out the back window of the family station wagon gave me the idea, but I was a kid with a goofy idea which would prevent many highway accidents, but with no idea of how to patent it. I suppose some engineers had it going way back then also, so even if one can't actually develop an idea, the intellectual property, or idea itself, is patentable. More power to you.

http://www.automotive.eaton.com/index.html# You may not need to go so far as the M90; the M42 or M60 may be more appropriate unless you are really increasing displacement. Check out the eaton site and their specs. I'm not expert of course, and I do believe in overkill, but sometimes more isn't better, just more expensive, but becomes less effective. The four barrel intake would work well, of course. I was considering a similar idea on my BMW 3.5 L-6 in the Z, but I'm looking also at a Vortec charger, or, even figuring that NA may be enough to make me happy. Keep us posted with photos. Good luck, sounds fun.

That's mighty nice, and an amazingly low price with all the stuff that goes with. Wish I had the dough; I'd shove one of those into my sweet, little old '76 2002, which has just come to a quiet rest. That would be one hell of a sleeper. That engine is a nice swap into a 318, and wonder why they are available at all...must be hard to keep an M3 in one piece! I'm starting to get ideas...no, no, no, mustn't even think about it. I gotta finish the Z first, and the house.

Cool engine, plenty of power. Yet, the ol' school car guy in me really likes to see the actual engine with evidence that the parts have been well designed inside and out. I want to see at least a hint of the heritage of a BMW aircraft engine in my Z, polished aluminum, clean hard tubing for vacuum lines instead of rubber, nary an unnecessary wire in view, and the necessary as inconspicuous as possible. Not exactly the show hot rod look, just slick and very clean, hard not soft. I guess I haven't learned to appreciate the molded plastic covers because they soften the appearance of lean, efficient machinery. No doubt, however, that M would be a screamingly quick engine in a Z, but will probably get more expensive than I could handle. You should do it.

Piece o' crap? Mechanical fuel injection on a Z? Throttles? That thing doesn't make any sense.