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bmw pat,
in the interests of being able to turn corners, spending the extra money on a modified sump like he's doing here seems like a better option than mounting the engine higher. same with the intake, its pretty easy to fix that with a new pipe that doesnt hit the strut tower.
do you have a build thread? you should start one so we can see pics and progress.

The engine does not sit that much higher, but it is in a different angle.
If he bolts up the transmission when the engine sits on the m20 mount, it will be in a wrong angle. It just seems to me that doing to new engine mounts is easier than modifying the sump, modifying intake an messing with a gearbox and shift linkage that is not where it should.

Another problem using the m20 mounts is that the centerline of the engine is not at the center of the car.

Thne the gearbox sits out of "line" in relation to the driveshaft.

These thing is not at once easy to see. I too installed my engine using the m20 mount the first time, and things seemed to line up fine, but when you hook up the gearbox and take som measurments, you will see its wrong.

I have a tread in the gallery. search for Bmw pat. I shall take som pictures of the progress. Is been a while since I updated the tread

I've done it both ways and for RHD cars the M20 mounts are the way forward.

First I did it and made my sump parallel and the motor sit in exactly the the right place with a custom subframe and M20 mounts




The problem is the steering linkage, it would be difficult to fit an exhaust manifold with it there.


Then I bolted it up with the M20 mounts
Gearbox/prop looks fine to me, shift linkage straight. The M20 mounts puts the M50 on the right angle for the M20 gearbox. When I removed the M20 and fitted the M50 I didn't remove the gearbox, I left it in the car and it bolted straight up again without using unnessecary force. Even if it was a little out on mine I doubt it would even be noticable.


Exhaust manifolds fit


Inlet Clearance


I have no doubts that putting the engine at the right angle with the M42/M50 gearbox works best with LHDs, but I gave up doing it this way for my RHD conversion as I simply couldn't see the exhaust manifolds clearing the steering linkage. With the M20 mounts it tilts the manifolds away from the linkage to give just the right amount of clearance, even still the back manifold still needs slight modification.

just a thought, with a RHD car and an engine that tilts to the right, how much more weight would be on the front right wheel compared to the left? it would be interesting to get this thing on corner scales when its done, to see how much effect it has. (i presume that when the car will be driven the hardest, there wont be passengers to balance the drivers weight).
id almost be tempted to leave the battery in the engine bay on the left, for weight distribution.

you running coilovers?

bmw pat, Rob is using an e21 getrag gearbox and i have also fitted the stardard e21 getrag box. I am assuming you are using a gearbox from an e36 m50 as this would definitely cause an issue with gearbox/shifter angle if using e21 engine mounts.

340i wrote:just a thought, with a RHD car and an engine that tilts to the right, how much more weight would be on the front right wheel compared to the left? it would be interesting to get this thing on corner scales when its done, to see how much effect it has. (i presume that when the car will be driven the hardest, there wont be passengers to balance the drivers weight).
id almost be tempted to leave the battery in the engine bay on the left, for weight distribution.

you running coilovers?

The engine is standing more central/vertical in this position so I can't see it doing any harm and I assume with the engine flat there is more weight to the towards the exhaust side anyway, unless I'm being thick! I'm running coilovers yes if you mean me.

I see by the pictures that is is more difficult to install an m50 in a rhd car because of the steering colum. I am using a gearbox from a e36 an then I have to tilt the engine like it was installed in the e36. This would not be possible in a rhd car, by looking at the pictures. So you have to deal with the low sump and clearence problems on the intake manifoil. Then it makes sense to me to cut and modify the sump. Learnd something new today too. Good luck with the project.

Car starts and runs! Car is finished except for a small section of exhaust and need to stick the bonnet back on. Went around the block for the first time with just headers bolted up, neighbours were not happy . All feels good so far although havent taken it above 2000rpm yet. Will update with pictures tomorrow.

Top work! Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Ok i think i can almost call this done, few minor jobs left but it is back to being my daily driver again. Not much to say other than its FAST, sounds great anywhere above 3k rpm, heres the pics...

Had to drive it to the exhaust shop with headers only and no bonnet. It was LOUD. Wanted to give it a squirt just once but anything over 1.5k was deafening.

Havent yet but i will take a close up of the inlet. Its WIP but currently has a 2.75-3inch reducer although this will soon be changed for a plain 2.75 90deg bend for a little extra clearance to the wing. Also running without a MAF at the moment so DME is running on default/basemap which is quite rich. Have a much smaller filter on it now which all fit well under the bonnet.

Nice work mate.

nice work! going to look at you for inspiration when i finally get round to doing my m50 conversion

what are you running diff / suspension wise?

Wow, there are some great touches there. I'll definitely be using the 180degree metal bend in cooling piping if I struggle. Very jealous you've finished it, you've made it look easy!