Has anyone done this?

[dallantan]

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem ... 1750883068

[DT_Photography] 07712 415 619.

[PCSAM]

once Southernboy casts he beady eyes on this i bet he will at least think about it

[John1950]

If this is aimed at the 2.8 and 3.0 owners, then why not look at an M instead - there'd be no turbo lag.
My concern would be the ability of the rest of the engine and drive train taking that increase in power. To make it safe, the modifications would bring the price of the 2.8/3.0 up to that of an M anyway - well, more or less?

[Captain]

Not worth the money imho, plus the reliability issues one would have doing this.

Sent from my HTC Desire

[Badman gee]

Supercharger better

[Southernboy]

Yep...supercharger is a better idea....or a V8?

[John1950]

Yep...supercharger is a better idea....or a V8?

But the drive train was never designed for 300+BHP going through it - nor are the brakes, the cooling, the suspension. Or am a being too cautious? Which reminds me - what about how the insurance companies would see it compared to a straight M?

[Southernboy]

You're right John, the suspension and brakes would need attention. But they're not major items to change. Insurance is another issue. We don't have the same set-up as you guys do. Here you can drive "uninsured"...as long as you have 3rd.Party insurance, which is an annual payment on my Z of around £25.00. Any other insurance is a private matter.

[dallantan]

What V8 lumps would fit in?

[DT_Photography] 07712 415 619.

[Southernboy]

If I were to fit a V8, I would opt for a 4.0 or 4.3 litre 4 cam 32 valve VVti Lexus motor. I can get one here complete ready for installation with all ancilliaries, intake & exhaust manifolds, ECU, wiring looms, etc etc etc...for around R. 15000.00
Fitting would be another R. 3000.00 incl drive train by a professional. So, total £1300.00 in round numbers. ....and the new motor is guaranteed to have less than 50,000 kms. (not miles)...It's a really viable option with current motor technology, huge power, and the motor weighs in at much the same a s a BMW 6 cyl. The box is a 6 speed manual or if you prefer automatic, that option is also available. I reckon since it's a roadster, a 6 speed manual box would be the way to go. American V8's are hugely expensive here, and not easy to come by. They're generally in the R.60,0000.00 cost range as a lump without the ancilliaries for a rebuilt modern unit. Circa 1970's V8 are available, but they're generally 350 cu in or 308 cu in motors and would require complete rebuilding anyway...and they come in at around R.15000.00 before rebuilding, and without a gearbox, so a no brainer really...why have 70's tech at a higher price that 2010 / 11 tech with all the sweetness of a small 4.3 V8 with variable valve timing, electronic ignition fuel injection etc etc. and as the add goes...."everything keeps going right....Toyota"
Also, my BMW motor with gearbox will give me a return of around R. 10,000.00. to one of the dealers. So in actual cost for the conversion, £.550 - 600.00.

[alec.m]

I keep looking at this http://www.beastpower.com/p/bmw/vf-engi ... 46-2830-SC . Love the way it looks OEM.

[Southernboy]

I spoke to them about 2 years ago...at the time they had that item on a "special" for $3200.00.(ex shipping). I considered it for a while, but it just doesn't deliver the power for the cost. You'll need to go to a stage 3 to get anything worth the cost, but then you'll need to change most of your engine internals as well, plus drive-train, brakes, exhausts, manifolds, injectors, cooling etc etc....A Lexus V8 will deliver around 350 HP as a standard motor with a re-map. Plus you'll only need a new exhaust with min 60mm pipes to vent the beast, and possibly a brake upgrade to the M spec size discs. The Propshaft will probably need alteration to accomodate the 6 speed box. I actually spoke to a company that specialises in Lexus conversion here, and they quoted me £2000.00 incl VAT, labour etc etc to do the entire conversion, incl new exhaust, brakes etc etc... completed job. I have been quoted £800 - £1000 for my bmw engine with G/Box, so for around £1000.00 I can have 4.3 V8 with Variable Valve Timing & Ignition (VVti) ready to drive after 4 - 6 weeks at the conversion specialist, and I still have a Z3 which looks like a Z3 inside and out...but under the bonnet will be a 350HP monster...as a stock standard re-map motor.
The money for the supercharger just doesn't compare in cost / power investment. You might as easily get a Z3 M and skip the hassle for around the same money, and at least have a car that's fully OEM and will / should keep it's value. I'm not concerned with the OEM aspect, as I'm not planning on selling my car. For me it's a matter of keeping the car as a roadster, but also modernising all it's components to current performance levels and adding comfortable economic power. I must say that the guys on the forum here doing V8 conversions are right on the money for these cars. They are wonderful in their original specs, but that was from 15 years ago...an upgrade in performance, smooth V8 power is the way to go.