BMW build
 

Last week i picked up ( from ebay ) a modified Haynes chassis powder coated in KTM orange , it has been modified to take a BMW 18i engine with a five speed Getrag gearbox to a BMW diff with IRS , the hubs and brakes are also BMW units utilising a five bolt fitting ,

it came with a standard ford steering rack which i have refurbished and reassembled ,

the engine is full FI , but i'm thinning of converting to carburettors from a CBR600 or something similar , my only issue is the HT coil distribution , so at the moment, the FI is intact , more research required.......

anyone else have a Bimmer powered car ?

BB ( Brake buster )

Why do you want to put it on carbs?

TT

Welcome Vince ...that was a steal ....good luck with the project and get a build thread started.

Welcome to the house of fun have a great time with your build, if it turns out anything like your xjs it will be awesome

Arfon

with the bits that came with the chassis , i have mocked things up to check for fit, and to get the prop shaft measured

the engine fits quite nice

IMG_1599 by MyPix on Talk Photography

and the manual 5 speed box is also a good fit,

IMG_1601 by MyPix on Talk Photography

i hope no one can see anything drastic with the setup


as for carbs, well , it would be a challenge, but thats what i like, and it would also do away with a lot of electronics, and give a little more BHP i'm told ?? but sorting the HT distribution will be the worst part ?

the original builder had different plans for the steering rack mount, so for now its not fitted , but i may well stick with the normal mounting method

i also bought a set of new wheels today , BMW of course,

BB

Carbs may give a little more BHP,

But may also give lots less, run badly, use more fuel, be less driveable, harder to start.

You sill still need a ignition control system as well.


I would only consider it if.

1) Going from a single carb
or
2) The stock ecu setup has a complex imobaliser.

TT

Looks a good one. A lot of work is already done

Didn't realise that the 18i was a SOHC engine. Not the early / mid 90's version then?
Just how heavy is that motor (as a guess)
I had always assumed that BMW units were seriously heavy things.. too heavy .. are they?
Also how tall is that engine.. as in how much above the top frame rail?

thanks.

For what it's worth I think Twin is spot on with his comments. There are numerous reasons why manufacturers have abandoned carbs for years now. I know it's mainly to do with emissions but bad emissions come from less than perfect running - the same thing that causes loss of performance. If it's a challenge you are after then going the throttle body route may be a better option.
Whatever way you go have fun doing it:D