My M70 V12 E34 Project!

[6piston]

February 3 2009

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.







July 18 2009

some more updates. some quick shots i took last night.












Please note that whatever that is beneath this are pictures and details of the previous V12. That project is scrapped for what's above due to driveability issues.

OLD V12

Hi guys, It's Tom again. Been a long time since i posted. I've embarked on a new project. A V12. I've posted it in chronological order... please enjoy...

Oh yeah, coming updates:
- Custom exhaust manifolds
- Custom adaptor plate for M20 manual transmission (i know, i know)
- Electric radiator fan
- Powerflex full poly bushes

November 10




Some pictures of my painted intake manifolds. I chosed a red and black theme. If you got it, flaunt it. Which explains the red pipes, all 12 of them. The intake manifold are really special, they are 2 seperate interlocking pieces.
But what’s also interesting is, they are 2 exact same pieces, just reversed, and!, the right intake manifold will supply air to the left bank of the 6 cylinders and the right manifold to the left cylinder bank! There’s still some work left to be done.
I used a can of black truck bedliner spray to lay the base with a good and strong rough finish. Then i masked the plenums to do the red ribs with an enamel red spray can. I then removed the masking and topped it with a can of clear flat spray since i couldn’t find any flat enamel red.
The lighting was poor and yellow so the pictures don’t really do justice..





I will sand the embossed parts of the black plenum when it’s ready to be put on. When everything is in, the red ribs will stand out like nothing else!
The next few updates will be my:

1. Custom exhaust manifolds
2. Electric radiator fan (either a used Mercedes one or a new aftermarket performance unit)
3. Radiator (i might get a new all-aluminium performance unit of just re-use my M20 radiator)
4. Other stuff i forgot to mention

Custom CF Head covers




The good guys at Duke Racing who’s in charge of the whole conversion applied their carbon fiber building and wrapping skills on my head covers. I opted for CF wrap-on on my head covers and full CF injector cover since it’s much more obvious being one of the highlights of the engine bay and the fact that it’ll be removed from time to time for maintenence purposes.





The CF head covers is a tedious job. It failed a couple of times. they’ve got the driver’s side cover perfect but will be re-doing the other side. The excess will be cut and several layers of clear coat will also need to be applied before the final product can go live.
As for the injector cover, they are still on it. I’ve taken a look at the mould for it and it’s perfect. The cover will be popping out from the mould really soon, so watch out!

I've also created a blog for my V12 project, so if you like, please go to EuroAsians.net





October 04 2007

It's me again

progress is slow,
we've just pulled the engine.
will be cleaning it up and probably swapping it in next week!





Please provide some ideas on how i should detail it? like what colour combos for the head covers and intake manifolds(s)

i've seen some with red covers and black intake which is pretty nice. but i'd like to see what you can contribute?

August 30 2007

Okay guys, I've just gotten myself a front cut of an E32 750i. An M70 5.0 V12 and all necessary harnesses to be exact. but unfortunately, it's an automatic like all of them 750i

sounds crazy huh

Enjoy this!



Now,
I'd just like to know

1. If anyone here has ever done an E34 V12 conversion before or at least tried or has relevant articles on this?
   • Inputs on engine mounts
   • Harness/wiring input
   • Shortcuts
2. Any 750i or 850i owners know any common bugs or problems with the M70 V12 which always need to be looked at or replaced?
3. Transmission: Any known suitable manual transmissions?
   • From BMWs
   • From generic jap cars?
4. Differentials: currently. it's a 2:09.
   • Say i stick with the automatic, what kind of ratio should i use better accelaration, or if its good enough stock?
   LSD options? would the regular units from the E30 and E34 be useable?
5. What kind of Preps to the V12 before dropping it in?
6. Messing with the V12!!
   • Easy ones? Intake, Chipping, Exhaust, would any yield any performance gains?
7. If you have other inputs, please do share them

All help appreciated!

Thanks!
Tom

more pics



What's in the picture above will replace what's below.......

[DomM3]

Absolutely nice project. Nice pics.
A friend of mine has a V12 in his E34 too.
A very powerful car, definitely.
But a lot of work to do this.

[6piston]

thanks dom!

November 13

Got the Powerflex bushes!




Here are the pictures of the poweflexes for the E34 in a complete kit!. I ordered them through a Singapore dealer Hotwheels for a good deal. The package took like 2 weeks to arrive which isn’t too long. I am really happy with the way it is package. For some people, package makes a difference. They are boxed in various sized, semi-transparent packaging for different bush dimensions.





Also in the package, Powerflex provided steel sleeves and plates to eliminate any need of re-using the worned out or warps parts that you get in older cars. Like in my case, the Rear-axle beam bushes has never been replaced in my hands for the last 7 years?, i’m guess it’s like 10-12 years old. Nevertheless, the new bushes will make a world of a difference in handling.





Other stuff like the Powerflex grease is also included. So if you were to get new bushes, i’d recommend these. i think the whole kit came out to like $230+ GPB?

[James]

Great updates - what's the projected power output?

[6piston]

hi James

Thanks

well for now, it'll be left stock. except for the inevitable custom exhaust manifold and exhaust, and then some personal preference of a manual transmission and electric fan.

i'm just hoping for the Stock 299bhp and 450nm. but with the unintentional "mods" i'd like for slightly higher. Then again, the age of the engine would offset or worse, see some decrease here and there.

as for the new future, i'd like some bigger throttle bodies, bigger maf or what'll be ultimate is 12 throttles on map sensors and possibly twin or quad turboing it later on.. we'll see.

it'll all have to do with how it'll drive. if it becomes a beautiful monster, then i'd be careful. if it sucked, i'll just transform it into a full-on monster.

I'm staying humble for now until the conversion is complete

Cheers!
Tom

[carstereopro]

I like the concept of the project due to its difficulty, but the same power could be had from a mildly modified e34 540.

The complexity of the V12 has me wondering if all of your work will be worth it in the end.

Anyways, I look forward to seeing the finished product.

[attack eagle]

same peak power, but a lot more torque under the curve.

[6piston]

November 21

My custom made stainless exhaust manifolds for the M70 V12



One reason why i wanted to get these one-off exhaust manifolds made is because i needed them and also, they’re a must-have!. It’s a needed part purely because the stock ones just won’t clear the Right hand drive steering shaft.

It’s a tough job trying to make these stainless steel manifolds. lotsa clearance issues especially where the flange will bolt the downpipes and the downpipes themselves. Pre-emptive thinking and precise measurements were made so the downpipes could go through in between starter and front subframe and lower arms.



Manifolds done. Now, it’s the exhaust that needs some serious thinking. The fuel tank is a turn off. A big tank right at the bottom of the spare wheel well just right for single muffler. I don’t have time to wait for more fabrication which i’d love to for a twin muffler rear exhaust. For that, i have to remove the sprare wheel well, and then either elevate the fuel tank or make one within the spare wheel well itself and scrap the stock fuel tank.



What i’ve decided for now is that i’ll just use my current AC Schnitzer exhaust while replacing the existing pipes meant for a 2.5 with bigger ones to make it breath better. I’ve always loved the sound it makes and i think it will sound awesome with the V12 going through it.
The future will see a full titanium exhaust exiting twin rear mufflers!




Billion Industries Japan Electric Radiator Fan



A hot engine needs a cool fan. It’s gotta be an electric fan Duke Racing supplied the part. This is a 12″ 1650cfm Billion Industries fan. Billion is a company based in Japan, churns our huge lines of performance products mainly for Japanese cars. They also supply OEM parts to those makes.
Just ignore the dirty radiator. I will get them cleaned out.









Carbon Fiber Head Covers Update!



Okay, though these are just for aesthetics, you gotta admit, they look really good. So what’s new? As i’ve mentioned, the guys at Duke Racing wrapped this babies over with CF and they have just cut off around it to make it look more practical. The wrap-over is almost impossible to be perfect simple due to the complicated folds and edges.



They have cut it around and will further detail it and then paint the exposed part of the aluminium and then lay a clear coat over it finally.

[RacerJames666]

.....most impressive young jedi.....

[Shoomakan]

Lol @ RacerJames...

I was gonna go this road before I got the M30 in my E30... But the extreme technicality of this engine as well as the low power and low tuning potential really pissed me off.

One of the most powerful daily driven 850's around is in Dubai, it's a twin turbo M70, outputting 550bhp. That's the most the guy could get, he went through 3 engines to realize it.

A well built M30 can exceed that by almost double.

Still, it'll be great if all you want to do is give Z's a run for their money, hope it goes well and you're doing a good job thus far.

[zcghost]

This is sweet. Have you thought about what you will do to eke more power out of the motor? What about the motor mounts?

[RacerJames666]

No kiddin shook....
It is somewhat of a dubious quest, never gonna see the power potental of other swaps,
but the wow factor of the v12 shoehorned in there is some serious WOW indeed.
Now, if you really want to blow em away.......

v12 powered Isetta, biotch

[Andrew]

Niiice!

[Maccoretti]

USE REALOEM AND X-REFERENCE THE PART NUMBERS BETWEEN E32 & E34!!!
A DISTURBING AMOUNT OF SHARED PARTS BETWEEN THEM!!

[6piston]

November 29

Carbon Fiber M70 V12 Fuel Rail Cover

Finally, the moment of the week i’ve been waiting for! My CF fuel rail cover!. I’ve seen the mould and now, the final product straight from the vacuum bag! though it hasn’t been thoroughly cleansed, the
cover looks awesome. every little detail is there. I especially like the raised epoxy BMW roundel and lines. Though it would better if it was more generic like totally flat or something like the 850csi’s but these are good enough for me.

Duke Racing is again responsible for these CF parts. As you can see, there are 2 identical pieces from the mould with different weaves. the one on the left is made out of a 6K (6 thousand filaments/strands) carbon fiber material and the right from a 2K CF material.
Please bear in mind that the covers haven’t been prepared yet. They are awaiting a couple of layers of clear coat. If you are interested to buy these for your BMW M70 V12 engine for say your 750i or even your 850i, please let me know!