anyone know anything about the old BMW 8 series

I think they're one of the better looking BMW's ever made. That's the end of my knowledge on the subject. If you make a track car, I would love to see photos!

There was an Alpina version that was supposed to be a real beast. They were pricey, and I think not US legal, or maybe just not for California.

 

They're pretty strong, v12 csi had 375hp and quite a bit of torque iirc. The v12 engines are bullet proof but difficult to modify due to the engine management system and head limitations.

They were a high speed GT, not a sports car, so your challenges would be similar to that of using a Porsche 928. Performance hop up stuff is few and far between though it shares a good amount of stuff with the e38 7 series, of which there is a decent amount available. Honestly, I would start with something else, but with enough time and money you can turn pretty much anything into a race car. Start with an 840 (v8) as they'll be easier to find and cheaper. An s62 swap would be fairly straightforward into one and would be a pretty fun car.

 

Do the 944, there's a kit to put the LS motor in with the stock transaxle and there are TONS of racing parts out there for it. We run one in chump car/lemons and are considering an iron block 5.3 swap at some point. Great handling and braking car stock and lots of stuff out there.

 

+1 on the 944


The 8 series would be unique, but might be too much... $, time, pain, and oh, did I say $$$

The 944 is a wonderfully balanced car. Many more starting points that are miles ahead.

 

The 8 series happens to have _exactly_ the same wheelbase as the Corvette C6: 105.7 inches. You could use the entire Corvette driveline, subframes and suspension if you wanted to go for it. Anything is possible with enough Sawzall blades, grinding discs and filler rod.

 

the e31 based B12 Alpina coupe was never sold as new in the USA.

recently, a single example of the B12 5.7 6sp manual coupe was imported in the States.

They are rather pricey even now, in good condition 5.0 will fetch north of 50 000 euros, 5.7 are 80 000+ euros cars.

 

I believe Dinan had a twin turbo kit for the 850

 

Nope.

Anyway, their was a guy who had a website dedicated to his 8 series that he did what you are contemplating. It was extremely detailed. That was a few hard drives ago, so I have no idea how to locate it.

I would suggest you don't do this. Those cars are so rare and elegant, that it seems a waste to "ruin" one.

 

I'd hate to be writing a check for track tires for an 8 series, since you'd be doing it often.

 

Rumor is there's a supercharged 8 series in Lincoln Nebraska. Not sure if it is an 840 or 850 though.

 

That thing looks really badass!

 

There are off-the-shelf SC kits for the m60, m62 and m62tu v8 engines used in the 8 series (depending on year), as I said they share a lot with the e38 7-series and there is stuff out there for the e38's. I wouldn't start with a v12 unless you wanted to end with a v12 car, because there's no real reason to pay extra for a v12 car to if you're going to swap in an lsx. The v8 auto cars are the most common and cheapest, and would be the best starting point for a swap.

If you wanted to do it, your biggest problem would be the suspension bushings and ball joints as they'd wear out fast with track work and there really aren't any upgrades out there. You could likely adapt e38 coil-overs and take a lot of weight out, but it'd still be a heavy car.

I would love to see it, but I wouldn't want to be the one to do it .

 

8 = Heavy !
definitely not a track car.

 

My thoughts as well. Heavy car. A friend did modify his car with a twin turbo as well as cutting the top to make it a cab...

 

Both are hot out of the box yet I must confess I have a woody for a 944T with a stroker motor and upgraded turbo. You mention the LS engine a lot in cars that the LS is not OEM and I think it is Sacrilege not to stay true with said manufacturer/make/model etc etc.

Your money, your call.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PRNqiAQdIc]BMW 850 Race car - YouTube[/ame]

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-wek0XDYjE]BMW M3 vs. BMW 850 - NieminenRacing - YouTube[/ame]

 

As much as I love the shape of BMW E31 (8-series).. it is VERY HEAVY !
You'd be better off racing on am E34 M5 chassis. This car was VERY competitive during the 90s IMSA race, even against Porsche 911 Turbo 3.2 and Lotus Esprit Turbo (!!)


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNf1ZEee6w0[/ame]

 

Hi Carson,

#1 question is budget, what are you comfortable spending on the build then how much per year to maintain?

I've put plenty of proposals together for interesting and unusual race cars (Porsche 928 Trans Am car comes to mind), it always comes down to budget and ROI/ fun factor.

Clearly you desire to build. Some guys just want to drive, some guys only want to build, some want both. After budget then the obstacle becomes time and engineering; you become the engineer of record so to speak. Solve all fitment issues, design custom parts, make important decisions on suspension geometry, roll center, roll gradient, or guess at all of that and hope.

It's the sorting of all systems that may grind you to death, the initial installation will be cake in comparison.

My suggestion is to consider one of the many new tube frame component cars now available. The engineering is done, some assembly and customizing and you are on track having fun in a sorted chassis with reliability and reasonable operating costs.

Best,
Rob

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

 

Last generation RX-7 with an LS motor. Right size, light, compact and blindingly fast. What's not to like... There are kits for the adaptation, so a lot of the drudge work is already done...

 

Go for it, Carson!

The BMW E31 8-series is a very heavy car. The doors, for example are massive, as are the door hinges, and that goes for the hood and trunk, too. But that's what makes it so solid.

If you really want to put in an LSX engine and T-56 transmission, then you can really open your options. You can then rip out the cooling system, and replace it with a lightweight and more reliable aluminum aftermarket part. The front seats probably weigh 75 pounds each. You could lose a lot more with HVAC, and all the wiring. There's no need to keep any stock gauges, insulation, and so on.

Once you strip all that stuff out, the car will ride high, and will need some suspension tweaks, which you would want for the track anyway.

Do it!

Matt