Project: E21 from Hell (V8 Content)

[Kevin E21]

I have posted pictures around of this project, but I never started an official project thread. I will try to update as time allows now that I have been working on my car again.

My M10 went down hill, and I basically gave up on trying to throw money into it, drove it until the car was just too unreliable to drive any more. Originally went to drop an M50 in it, but then after working on a V8 swap in a Datsun 280z with a friend, I decided to try something a bit different with my car.


I had already swapped a 323i front sub frame in to accommodate the M50, so with the use of a friends machine shop, I fab'd up motor arms to drop in a Chevy 350 in. I don't know much about the motor, other than it runs, is a fresh rebuild, a mild cam, with fuely heads. Not a total monster, but will have more than enough power for a street car. I don't know if it came from a camaro, or a vette, doesn't really matter.

Picture of motor arms:




I had some clearance issues, and I had to modify my oil pan to prevent it from hitting the front sub frame. I could not get any more height, or the motor would be sticking through the hood. I mated it to a Borg Warner T5, and made a custom cross member to hold it in place.

I also had to cut a hole in my transmission tunnel for more clearance on the shifter.




I chopped the top off the shifter, so it didn't look like a truck shifter. (Not pictured above)


Below you can see what the motor looks like. This picture is from months ago, and the car is now in my car port for winter, as I continue to work on it, sheltered from the cold.


As you may have noticed, there is some issues. I removed the brake booster. It doesn't fit with the motor in there. (Issue I am trying to solve.) You will also notice that the air cleaner is higher than the strut tower brace. I am hoping with a drop base air cleaner, I will clear the hood. The carb on there is junk, and only there for mock up.

You might also notice I notched the front to fit a radiator. I will update with a more recent picture, as I now have a radiator in there. I ordered it through a local speed shop, and had to try several different ones to find the right fit, and even then it still does not leave room for a pull fan. Luckily the radiator I found has a nice thick core, and still leaves room for a very large push fan, for sufficient cooling. (Pic coming soon)

Right now, I am working on finishing the cooling system, then on to the ignition, fuel, brakes, clutch, and drive line.

There is many things still in question, but I am figuring it out as I go. The motor is essentially complete with all the pulleys, water pump, alt, and starter. It's just a matter of connecting everything, and putting it all back together in a way that it will work without issue.

[Monitor]

Yes! The bastardizing (to some... Heresy, anyone? Bah!) of another Euro car with a Chevy V8! I will follow your thread, sir!

[je320]

Don't stop. Get this done. Are you going to do something for subframe connectors, and maybe a solid rear axle? I shoulda done this with the parts car I scrapped. This will be a fun quarter mile car.

[Kevin E21]

Don't stop. Get this done. Are you going to do something for subframe connectors, and maybe a solid rear axle? I shoulda done this with the parts car I scrapped. This will be a fun quarter mile car.

No, I'm going to probably go with an e30 diff. It's not a monster, 250-300hp max. I don't want it to just be a straight line car. Although it would be fun the take to the strip.

[Tom D]

okay, i'll bite, but a chevy 350?

[epmedia]

okay, i'll bite, but a chevy 350?

I hope not
I think it "should" be a 327

Did they even make the fuely heads designed for the 350? I forget...

[Tom D]

…...it "should" be a 327 .

that was my second thought. my first one was 'it should be a 283'

[Monitor]

I'm impressed, I would have thought there would be more...animosity? Towards swapping in a V8 like in certain Porsche circles. That is very cool

[epmedia]

that was my second thought. my first one was 'it should be a 283'

283 was my 3rd thought...
Something about that 327 "bat outta hell" after 3k.
However, I agree that the 283 for an e21 would probably be a better choice than the 327 or 350 (safety wise).

[Turbo 3.8L E21]

Very Nice ... have often thought about just dropping an LS1/2 into my e21... it originally had a 304ci Holden V8 to go in, but changed to the V6, look forward to seeing more on this

[vtgti]

LIKE x1000000

[gsumzzz]

Buick/Rover 3.5L aluminum with the works please- viola TR-e21.

voila damn it.

[JTFormula]

A 283, 327, & 350 are all the same external dimensions and weight so a 350 is going to give you the best bang for the buck. I personally like the 327s but my favorite are the 302's from the 67-69 z28's as the are screamers but you can't go wrong with the 350. Kevin if you want to know exactly what engine you have, there is a code on the flat pad that sticks out from the front block under the passenger head. You can see it in the first picture. There will be a letter then numbers followed by a 2 or three letter suffix code. If you get the code for me I can decode the motor. If the block was decked these will have been milled off. Also on the back of the block on the drivers side is the block casting #. If you can see that and send it, between the two I can date it and let you know what it came out of. I can tell you at the very least it's from the 70's if not earlier because later suffix pads were smaller. If the block ends in 010 that's a good performance block used in Corvettes and Camaros.

[Tom D]

i forgot about the 302. a de-stroked 327 (283 crank) with forged crank, rods, and pistons. good choice.

….. I would have thought there would be more...animosity? Towards swapping in a V8.

normally i would have raised an eyebrow, but this build with it's heavy iron block/head is purely an interest of engineering.

as far as the OP's comment about it not being strictly a straight line car, well that notion went out the door with the M10.

[jjgbmw323]

Get this thing running please so we can take some videos and have a few laughs.

[E21fun]

Buick/Rover 3.5L aluminum with the works please- viola TR-e21.

voila damn it.

YES YES YES x1,000,000

[tlapham]

Dang that front end is going to be heavy. I think those T5 trannys weigh more than the M10 alone!

[Layne]

I'm impressed, I would have thought there would be more...animosity?

I'm just refraining from commenting.

[fullswing]

I'm impressed, I would have thought there would be more...animosity? Towards swapping in a V8 like in certain Porsche circles. That is very cool

live and let live... it's his car, his money, his time... applaud the effort and encourage to completion!

I'm just refraining from commenting.

now THAT's surprising. :P

[Layne]

now THAT's surprising. :P

[Kevin E21]

Like it or not, it's something I wanted to do, and I'm glad you guys can at least appreciate I am doing something different.

I'm 23, and I'm doing this by myself, in a tent. I have no idea what the hell I am doing, but it's a learning experience for me. I love BMWs, and I love classic American cars, so why not have the best of both worlds. Everything is a puzzle, and it's fun and challenging to find new ways to get this to work. There is a lot of trial an error, but when it's done I am going to have something fun to drive, and it will be made from my own blood, sweat, and sometimes tears.

There is always a cheaper, easier way to get more power, but let's not kid ourselves if you really think you are going to build a cheap m10 or m20 that is going to put out the same amount of power, and have that WOW factor.

I love my e21, I just want that V8 roar. I don't care if the motor is mild, because it's still over double the HP I had with the M10, and to be honest, the weight difference isn't that much with the amount of power I will have.

What it really comes down to, is not about how fast my car is. It is for the street, and it's more about having fun than anything.

[Monitor]

live and let live... it's his car, his money, his time... applaud the effort and encourage to completion!

Amen, brother! Like I said, I think its badass, and its pretty cool that he gets support from the bmw crowd while dropping it in. Nice change from my Porsche forums... Now THAT is $3000 dollars id love to spend! (On a v8 swap, nothing to fab on my end)

[cheap320i]

You can say that again....
Best of luck on your build. Going with a remote master cylinder?

[gsumzzz]

just keep your self in one piece.just keep your self in one piece.just keep your self in one piece.just keep your self in one piece.just keep your self in one piece.

[JTFormula]

I want to drive that thing when you are done.