Diesel conversion BMW M47

dmcsweeney

Hi all,

I've currently got 3 Rover P6 V8s in my collection, mainly standard apart from one I converted to 5 speed. My neighbour got a 3500 that someone had raided for its engine, but the car is far to good to break. I've long considered converting one to diesel with a decent modern(ish) engine. I've got a 520d with an N47 & 8 speed auto but they're pricey to buy, they have the dreaded chain issue and an awful lot of electronics. I think an easier/cheaper route would be an M47 & 6 speed manual from a scrap 320d. Has anyone successfully transplanted one? My approach would be to take a complete running car and sort through the loom and get rid of anything unnecessary (lighting etc) and move the rest. Anyone done a conversion with any other type of modern engine? I'm not looking for a Perkins 4108 or anything!!
Thanks,
Dave

colm_mcm

There was a guy here putting an OM606 engine into a classic merc. Wasn’t straightforward.

Unless you’d be daily driving this it it’s hard to see why you’d bother.

dmcsweeney

colm_mcm wrote: »

There was a guy here putting an OM606 engine into a classic merc. Wasn’t straightforward.

Unless you’d be daily driving this it it’s hard to see why you’d bother.

Thanks, I have seen some conversions with Merc engines alright including a compound charged P6. I already have 3 standard manual cars, and to be honest, the car in mind isn't that viable as a straight restoration as it's the less desirable auto. The conversion would make it worth while. I also just want to do something different! The V8 autos never exactly set the world alight and I can easily get the same power and more torque from a modern diesel. If I could do it, especially with an autobox, I would use the car regularly. It would justify saving a car that otherwise I'd end up breaking for spares for my other ones, and I don't like killing them off.

Thanks,
Dave

Big Nasty

Used to be all the rage pulling V8 blocks out of Rovers and sticking them in Hot Rods. I'd be inclined to stick a Lexus or Bimmer V8 in it. You can pick up an older 7er or LS for small beans now.

dmcsweeney

Big Nasty wrote: »

Used to be all the rage pulling V8 blocks out of Rovers and sticking them in Hot Rods. I'd be inclined to stick a Lexus or Bimmer V8 in it. You can pick up an older 7er or LS for small beans now.

It's a shame really, and completely pointless now as the later V8s with 5 speed manuals or ZF autos were a far better swap. The low compression engine from the P6 auto and the Borg warner box were a bit flat. Different V8 conversions (usually using the 4.4 Rover unit) are fairly common plate, but I'm a diesel head and looking under the bonnet of my 5 series with the newer N47 it would sit nicely in the P6, give good economy and lots of torque. I've discounted using the 6 cylinder as I think it would be too nose heavy. But complexity of the N47 management system is moving me towards the earlier engine.

Regards,
Dave

colm_mcm

Didn’t the likes of the Rover 75 use a simpler version of that engine?

911s

colm_mcm wrote: »

Didn’t the likes of the Rover 75 use a simpler version of that engine?

Perkins 4108, Commer bellhousing and Humber Secptre overdrive gearbox, can’t go wrong!!!!

dmcsweeney

colm_mcm wrote: »

Didn’t the likes of the Rover 75 use a simpler version of that engine?

That was a front wheel drive application though, It would be easier to use a already mated engine and box.

dmcsweeney

911s wrote: »

Perkins 4108, Commer bellhousing and Humber Secptre overdrive gearbox, can’t go wrong!!!!

And a Morris Oxford fuel tank hidden under a false floor in the boot full of green diesel. :rolleyes:0 - 60 in about 3 years . I could go for the slightly updated version and use the perkins prima from a montego or a 300TDi but I want something a bit more modern and quieter. 1.8 BMC from a Sherpa!

Regards,
Dave

millington

May aswell go M57 really. Theres a Mk1 Escort van either up the North or across the water with an M57D30 in it.

dmcsweeney

millington wrote: »

May aswell go M57 really. Theres a Mk1 Escort van either up the North or across the water with an M57D30 in it.

Thanks for the info. I just did a few searches there and its a popular conversion for Nissan Patrols. You can buy kits with the ECU with the immobiliser system deleted. While the P6 engine bay is wide, it's not especially long, and there's the intercooler, rad and transmission cooler if it was auto to fit. The Rover V8 was aluminium, hence lighter even that the 4 cylinder petrols fitted so the weight of the 6 cylinder could spoil the handling even if it would fit. If it was an XJ6 or similar I'd go that route.

Edit: Just googled it. If it fits in there it may be possible, and engines should be cheap.

Regards,
Dave

colm_mcm

Would an electric conversion be viable?

dmcsweeney

colm_mcm wrote: »

Would an electric conversion be viable?

Decent components would be very expensive. Good conversions use Tesla parts. I'd go plug in diesel hybrid if I could get a drive train.

Regards,
Dave

colm_mcm

Cost might be a bit prohibitive.

selectamatic

Om605 td from a w202 c250 td.

https://www.donedeal.ie/carparts-for-sale/mercedes-engines/19203752

Do you want the conversion to run an auto box?

Interslice

What about an mtdi setup. Would be easier and more reliable. A 2.5 5 cylinder out of an audi 100/volvo v70 or t4 transporter is a lovely engine.

dmcsweeney

Interslice wrote: »

What about an mtdi setup. Would be easier and more reliable. A 2.5 5 cylinder out of an audi 100/volvo v70 or t4 transporter is a lovely engine.

I do like the idea of a 5 cylinder, but was it ever used in a RWD application?

Just remembered, my neighbour has a '95 audi A6 2.5 TDi parked up with years. Wounder if there is a RWD box that would fit that engine?

dmcsweeney

selectamatic wrote: »

Om605 td from a w202 c250 td.

https://www.donedeal.ie/carparts-for-sale/mercedes-engines/19203752

Do you want the conversion to run an auto box?

An auto box would be nice, and save having to swap over the pedal setup and fit a clutch master etc. I looked at the ZF HP6 in the BMW but they all seem to run yet another ECU andwould probably require signals from the wheel hubs etc.

tabby aspreme

dmcsweeney wrote: »

I do like the idea of a 5 cylinder, but was it ever used in a RWD application?

Just remembered, my neighbour has a '95 audi A6 TDi parked up with years. Wounder if there is a RWD box that would fit that engine?

The 5 cylinder VW was used in the Crafter / LT 35 van as a RWD, and were available with an auto box.

BorneTobyWilde

Why not put a modern 3 cylinder ford ecoboost 1.0L engine in it ? Ford Focus weights as much as a P7.
As fast as an old m47 diesel. A lot of people fit those 1.0 eco boost engines to kit cars with rear wheel drive and manual box