E46 M3 + S62 race/track build

[klammer]

Wow! This is epic!

[PrimeBMW]

We are still waiting on the dry sump so am unable do much at this time. It was supposed to be here over a week ago. The first items we ordered were rod bearings and bolts.........three weeks later nothing. That seems like the easiest parts to obtain but given the venders track record likely last to arrive. That is just the way it goes when ordering "race parts".........the vender tells you it is in stock but you don't receive it till 4 weeks later. So the lack of progress is not our doing........

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by PrimeBMW

We are still waiting on the dry sump so am unable do much at this time. It was supposed to be here over a week ago. The first items we ordered were rod bearings and bolts.........three weeks later nothing. That seems like the easiest parts to obtain but given the venders track record likely last to arrive. That is just the way it goes when ordering "race parts".........the vender tells you it is in stock but you don't receive it till 4 weeks later. So the lack of progress is not our doing........

I hear ya, just went thru this with my exhaust as you know.

[surewin]

Subbed!

[Triple M]

Sick! Sick! Sick! Totally Sub'd. Glad to see guys in the competition world sharing their build with forum members. Thanks Prime

[PrimeBMW]

75,000 miles on these S62 rod bearings. All the rod bearings and bolts are replaced now.

[PrimeBMW]

Here is a very exciting pictures of the milspec wire we bought last week. We will completely rewire the entire car plus build a custom wiring harness.

Still no dry sump.......

[PrimeBMW]

Well after a 2 month wait we finally received the dry sump pan and pump. It is very impressive and extremely light. The pan will allow us to put the engine down and back. The front cylinder should be across the front axle. Without it the install is impossible as the stock oil pan is directly over the front subframe.

[S65 Underdog]

There is a lot of win in this thread. Good luck and continue to keep us posted.

[PrimeBMW]

We are in the process of mocking up the engine and trans. (a few photos follow). The engine has displaced the ABS module, brake booster and steering column. These photos do not show the final location of the engine but at this point I am very pleased at where it will be in relation to where the S54 was. It is almost a mid engine car at this point.

[Wendall]

Originally Posted by PrimeBMW

Here is the car it will go in:

beautiful car! In for the build!

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by Wendall

beautiful car! In for the build!

Thank you sir! Once we get all the performance stuff finished up we will get back to aero then cosmetic touches.

[kormaster]

Eddie is the man.... if he was closer to me, he woulde built my car...

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by kormaster

Eddie is the man.... if he was closer to me, he woulde built my car...

Yep I went quite a ways to have him fix mine up.

[mastek]

Weight of this vs. S54?

BTW, that dry sump oil pan is nothing less then a piece of art.... no wonder the crazy price tag. Is that VAC's piece?

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by kormaster

Eddie is the man.... if he was closer to me, he woulde built my car...

Ship it up the coast. I cant be that expensive from Cali to Oregon.

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by mastek

Weight of this vs. S54?

BTW, that dry sump oil pan is nothing less then a piece of art.... no wonder the crazy price tag. Is that VAC's piece?

Good question about the weight. We did weigh each engine out of the car without fluids but with he same accessories. The S62 weighs about 25lb. more. So there you go as far as engine weight. That said there is so much more changing on the car that it will be difficult to know how the weight of the entire car will change. The dry sump pan and pump will weight less but the tank will hold more oil. Headers for an V-8 vs I6. We had a 5 speed box and will go to the 6 speed M5 box. New Radiator and oil cooler. Custom intake. Removal of the factory ecu, wiring harness and wiring for the entire car.......etc. With that said we are guessing the total gain will be 35 - 50lb. One thing will do know is the weight will move down and back/better polar moment. The car will need to lose some weight in Unlimited races but may be right on target for GTS-4.

[PrimeBMW]

Most of you that have a S65 are probably wondering why we choose a S62 and not S65. I know because I also struggled with this decision. I also have an E92 M3 and just love the sound of that high revving V-8.....you really get attached to it. Why the S62? Torque in one word. That is reason enough but there are other things to consider. The S62 is a proven winner in Grand Am racing. It has been developed by others before us. Plus eventually we can put 600 crank HP to it without blinking an eye. It will be robust in stock form but also while pushing high HP. The S65 is great but there is not as much time in development, initially it costs more, engine mod will be higher, running cost, etc... Plus the S62 will have 75lb. more torque stock for stock.

Now I know of the Epic Motorsports sponsored S65 + E46 M3 and another that is being built in Washington State. (there might be more) I don’t know why they chose a S65 but my guess is a weight consideration and they may not have had to use a dry sump.

[ilikebmxbikes]

This is awesome - the rod bearings look pretty good for 75k. Can't wait to see this progress- I'm really enjoying it so far

[lsal]

Subd! Can't wait!

[mastek]

Originally Posted by PrimeBMW

Most of you that have a S65 are probably wondering why we choose a S62 and not S65. I know because I also struggled with this decision. I also have an E92 M3 and just love the sound of that high revving V-8.....you really get attached to it. Why the S62? Torque in one word. That is reason enough but there are other things to consider. The S62 is a proven winner in Grand Am racing. It has been developed by others before us. Plus eventually we can put 600 crank HP to it without blinking an eye. It will be robust in stock form but also while pushing high HP. The S65 is great but there is not as much time in development, initially it costs more, engine mod will be higher, running cost, etc... Plus the S62 will have 75lb. more torque stock for stock.

Now I know of the Epic Motorsports sponsored S65 + E46 M3 and another that is being built in Washington State. (there might be more) I don’t know why they chose a S65 but my guess is a weight consideration and they may not have had to use a dry sump.

Very few people realize that the S62 is the most race developed road car engine BMW has ever produced (aside from the P-series BMW Motorsport engines).
Great choice. But in all honesty, I am sure after all is said and installed you will be closer to 100 lbs. over the s54... which is still not bad, considering the torque and upgrade options and dry sump.

Are you moving the firewall?
How about the Steering Column? Custom Woodward?
Which ABS?
Why not a Drenth DG500 to match? I think they even have a s62 bell housing. Approx. $16k all in.

Fascinating build.
I am on the fence about s65 vs. s62 transplant. Like you said, the lighter weight and high rev of the s65 is great. But the torque and upgrade options for the s62 is a contention.

[PrimeBMW]

The engine and trans are in the car now. The mounts are mocked up and holding the engine and trans at the moment. A final version of the mounts will be produced.

Now it is time to re-wire the entire car plus wiring harness.