Hi, New to this forum, attracted by the article on Engine Swaps and the diesel conversation here.
Something Ive being researching for a while and floating from forum to forum with is putting a modern diesel in an older fuel guzzler. Problem is a lot of forums have a US Bias and there is very little diesel knowhow there. On the why: I like Diesels, I like cool unique projects and I do 140km a day. I used to have a V10TDI Phaeton, so I know how big diesels perform (which is to say ideal for my usage).
My idea is to get a 2007+ BMW 333d/530d engine (231bhp stock, 300 on tune) and put it in a BMW 8 series. Now before anyone cries murder for ruining an 8 series, I already own the top end 8 (the CSi), which I will keep along side a diesel Franken-8. And tired examples of 8s are getting very cheap and good for project work. They also have a chassis and gearbox designed for large high torque V12 engines.
Now there are a lot of issues with the plan of course:
Donors
Engine:
- Will I need the stock ECU and Immobiliser and try to trick the car into running with all its usual bits connected?
- What about traction control and other bits like Speedo etc?
- Can I reuse the 8 series Auto boxes? Will a 4sp Auto Diesel be a horrible thing to drive?
- If re-using the old Auto box, I assume Id need a separate TCU? Luckily I found this one for the 4hp24 already.
- Planning on swapping to a diesel fuel pump but reusing existing hard fuel lines and plastic fuel tank. Will change the fuel hoses from old to new rubber, assuming this is all ok.
What do you guys think?
Something Ive being researching for a while and floating from forum to forum with is putting a modern diesel in an older fuel guzzler. Problem is a lot of forums have a US Bias and there is very little diesel knowhow there. On the why: I like Diesels, I like cool unique projects and I do 140km a day. I used to have a V10TDI Phaeton, so I know how big diesels perform (which is to say ideal for my usage).
My idea is to get a 2007+ BMW 333d/530d engine (231bhp stock, 300 on tune) and put it in a BMW 8 series. Now before anyone cries murder for ruining an 8 series, I already own the top end 8 (the CSi), which I will keep along side a diesel Franken-8. And tired examples of 8s are getting very cheap and good for project work. They also have a chassis and gearbox designed for large high torque V12 engines.
Now there are a lot of issues with the plan of course:
Donors
- 840Ci - 5sp Auto Box (ZF 5hp30) and Cable Throttle
- 850i - 4sp Auto box (ZF 4hp24) and Drive by Wire
Engine:
- M57TU2D30 engine - fairly advanced, minimal after market ECU support (maybe this, but very expensive), drive by wire (or whatever it is on diesel), designed for a GM gearbox.
- If I go for an older 530d engine the power and power band goes down a lot, but it would be cheaper with whole parts cars available.
- 535/335d engines are great, but too expensive
- Will I need the stock ECU and Immobiliser and try to trick the car into running with all its usual bits connected?
- What about traction control and other bits like Speedo etc?
- Can I reuse the 8 series Auto boxes? Will a 4sp Auto Diesel be a horrible thing to drive?
- If re-using the old Auto box, I assume Id need a separate TCU? Luckily I found this one for the 4hp24 already.
- Planning on swapping to a diesel fuel pump but reusing existing hard fuel lines and plastic fuel tank. Will change the fuel hoses from old to new rubber, assuming this is all ok.
What do you guys think?