My M70 V12 E34 Project!

[6piston]

YouTube - V12 E34 Spits Fire through Exhaust

Here’s a video of my almost-complete project V12 E34. I now have manual throttle bodies instead of the drive-by-wire ones. I had problems with drive-by-wire throttles due to the absence of the stock automatic transmission and probably some other sensors which just seems too tedious to incorporate with my plans of fusing the V12 and M20 harness.

In the ECU compartment there are a total of 4 ECUs.

1. 1 for the drive-by-wire
2. 1 for the automatic transmission
3. 2 for each 6 cylinder banks

The motronic ECU is pretty much like an M20 ECU, just that the V12 has 2 of them for each bank.

Other updates includes the exhaust. Apparently my AC Schnitzer Exhaust system isn’t flow efficient for the V12. I have decided to use the middle section of the system instead.

Other stuff includes the intake elbows for the air filters later.

enjoy the video!

[itsabimmerthing]

God damn. That is a unreal badass setup. BOOST IT!

[RacerJames666]

Very cool! Im glad it worked out so well!
Now all thats left to do is charge people ungodly amounts of money to do a conversion

[itsabimmerthing]

Originally Posted by RacerJames666

Now all thats left to do is charge people ungodly amounts of money to do a conversion

True that man, you did a damn good job!

[mars3554]

Did you have to fabricate custom engine mounts for the m70 or did the stock ones work?

While on that subject, besides the exhaust manifold what else had to be fabricated for this project to work???

[wheelrub]

def intrested in the carbon fiber work... pm

[peril 787b]

Originally Posted by mars3554

Did you have to fabricate custom engine mounts for the m70 or did the stock ones work?

Strange enough, I have exactly the same question...

Now just to wait patiently for an answer

[blacktype_sh]

For the M20 adapter for the M70 do you have a picture of the adapter by any chance I wanted to know how would I go about making my 1990 750il manual with that transmission setup? I know you swaped the M70 into your E34 but just wanted to know the details on how you had the transmission working for yoou.. Thanks new guy

[6piston]

Thanks again guys, here's a more realistic update. please enjoy!



Finally. Here are some pictures of the 550i's latest progress. Sorry i did have the car washed 2 days ago but today's rain ruined everything. Since i'm bringing it to the workshop later, I'll leave it for now. The guys at the shop will get the finer details sorted out. What's lacking currently:

1. Fuel Gauge
2. Speedo
3. O2 sensors aren't plugged in
4. Minor wiring Issues

Yup, i have been driving it that way for the last week. I have also had the exhaust connected to just the center section for now(again). It's pretty loud, but just not anywhere near refined. With just the center section now, it has that subtle burbling like a turbo would but dominated by the creamy V12's nice growling howl. I'm planning for a more final exhaust system soon.
Parts of the engine are pretty much as-in from the donor, oxidized, roasted. I'll get it all detailed and painted soon.I may even put in the metal mesh air filter pods.



As i've mentioned, the old V12 was replaced with a more complete 750i swap. So, again, it's essentially a 750iAl with an E34 shell(maybe). A Far cry from the then, manual transmission and throttles. It's just so much more tamer now. So much so, that it's completely soften the intentions of a wild V12 project. Though i'm kept happy with other attributes that make the 750i such a fine cruiser. But i'm determined to hack it as far as i can.



The magnificent V12 is a sight to behold. Did i mention i had the whole bay degreased in Simple Green? My all-time favourite multi-purpose cleaner. Know where the oil is filled? The central oil filler made my buy that little more worth it. Most 750is in existence now have got their oil filler near the firewall, which doesn't look nearly as good as the central ones on the 850is. Try browing pics of my late V12. I have also got used to the central expansion tank that were only on the Bigger fives and sevens. looks good in there too.

[6piston]

Originally Posted by itsabimmerthing

God damn. That is a unreal badass setup. BOOST IT!

Thanks, i hope with the current safe and stock swap it'l be easier with other possible upgrades. and before any boosting is done, i'm pretty determined to get it converted to a manual before anything major

Originally Posted by RacerJames666

Very cool! Im glad it worked out so well!
Now all thats left to do is charge people ungodly amounts of money to do a conversion

haha, well, the last V12 was major but everything was just too temporary. the current setup is easy in fact. just get a 750i and drop it in like any engine. No special skills involved. just the all-important wiring expertise. but shouldn't be too extensive since it's a complete swap.

Originally Posted by itsabimmerthing

True that man, you did a damn good job!

I have to thank the guys at the shop. too bad Duke Performance, the boys who did the first swap is now outta business.

The second shop did the complete swap in like about 2 weeks, delays were from the parts i didn't have which i had to make countless trips to the junkyards and back.

Originally Posted by mars3554

Did you have to fabricate custom engine mounts for the m70 or did the stock ones work?

While on that subject, besides the exhaust manifold what else had to be fabricated for this project to work???

The 750i one works just nicely. A good $500 tip huh

for the retired 1st swap, (not the stock pics above but the one with the red intake runners)

Headers:
i actually have to fabricate the extractors since it won't clear the steering shaft on my RHD E34 since the donor was a left hand drive.

Manual Transmission Adapter:
A Sandwich adapter plate was made to mate my M20 transmission to the V12. Even the starter have to be moved to the other end. The LHD donor is that more tedious to be used on a RHD car.

ECUs:
In total there are 4.
2 for each banks of cylinders,
1 for the auto transmission
1 for the drive by wire
those 2 control units were removed. since i wasn't running the drive by wire throttles and automatic.

a generic Throttle Position Sensor was put in. if you look at the pictures of the first swap where the manual throttles were, there's a shaft going to the firewall which is where the TPS sat.

that's it in a nutshell, not forgetting the little fixes and adjustments which was a total nightmare then.

Originally Posted by wheelrub

def intrested in the carbon fiber work... pm

Well, the guys who made the CF parts are now outta business. I really can't help anyone with interest in the M70 CF parts now. But i still have the CF wrapped head covers still on the old-V12 and the Fuel rail cover.

Originally Posted by peril 787b

Strange enough, I have exactly the same question...

Now just to wait patiently for an answer

Thanks for the interest, please read above

Originally Posted by blacktype_sh

For the M20 adapter for the M70 do you have a picture of the adapter by any chance I wanted to know how would I go about making my 1990 750il manual with that transmission setup? I know you swaped the M70 into your E34 but just wanted to know the details on how you had the transmission working for yoou.. Thanks new guy

i understand your need fully. a good and cheap manual transmission to replace the dreaded slushbox no matter what right?

too bad i don't have pics now. but i may take apart the old-v12 soon, so i may be able to get a picture. but trust me, my adapter is not to be replicated. it's a really bad design.

i'm sure your friendly machinist can figure out something better for you but yes, you essentially need just an adapter. The Long shaft may still work as-is

-

Thanks guys!!

[blacktype_sh]

thanks I will look into that I really want to start on this and convert my E32 from an auto to a manual transmission. thanks for your insight on things is it ok to ask you more questions as my projects progresses?

[6piston]

blacktype: no problems. anytime

[blacktype_sh]

This is the project E32 750il, I think that I will need to get the clutch pedal and other things to switch it to a manual transmission. is your new transmissin still the M20 with a 5sp? and would you post another video but in day time with sound of your E34?

[6piston]

wow, a fine example

Nope. it's with the same 4speed in yours.
I'm still looking for options, there's an E39 M5 6 speed for sale here, which is a little too pricey for me.

which transmission are you thinking of putting in? the M20?

[blacktype_sh]

well I just wanted to know if it was worth using the M20 or not if is not then I will just keep my 4 speed auto transmission thats all its probably less money and less work