350 in BMW

[supervisor1886]

I bought a 320i BMW. (2 dr 1982) I have done any measurements yet, but what if I
put a 350 in it? It has a Getrag 265 5 spd tranny and a 1.8 Bosch fuel injected motor.(puts out 110 hp). A small block in such a light car!
Has anyone done it before? And what are the issues that the block is going to twist the frame. Furtermore, there should be lots fabriction involved. Maybe turbo it after the rebuild?

[92zcamaroperson]

You'd have to beef up the frame big time. And I would think its gonna be a real tight squeaze that would require a large hammer. But anything is possible. It would be pretty cool and yeah if the car is light it be pretty friggin fast. Plan on having it down for a while cuz i would imagine that your going to run into a lot of issues.

[Rally Sport]

Yeah.. I wouldnt do it.. throw in a 3.8 or a new 3.9 and you're ready to go! BTW 3.9s make around 250 HP already.. imagine the possiblities..

[supervisor1886]

I checked out some info. There were a few people that put 300hp small blocks in their cars+700r4. They just change the firewal a bit and well the crossmember and use a few plates to mount the engine. The rest is bone stock and holds fine for some time.
The most surprising fact is that those cars get 20-25mpg carburated. No fuel injected ones have been done yet. They say that the car is a monster.

[scoobytuff]

Should be fairly easy to do. If someone can put a big block in a nash metropolitan this can be done. For starters you have so may choices in the realm of Chevy engines and transmissions. Ever thought about a 4.3l or a Buick 231? These two options will save you space lengthwise. I have also put a 454 in an s-10. It was not the easiest thing I've ever done , but it worked just fine. If it were be I would turbo a v6. Think buick grand national except lighter and way more nimble. The frame should hold up fine, with some bracing in a few areas. These car are very strong framed and rigid, built for German high speed commuting. Could be awesome!

[kahjdh]

An old regal t-type or a gn type engine would be sweet. You wouldnt be too front heavy as a V8.

[scoobytuff]

I think a V8 would make the car to nose heavy. But on the same token would be one hell of a sleeper!

[drvngstorm05]

well... anything can be done with the right amount of cash-flow...
the engine mounts would definatley have to be altered... and as you said there may have to be some work done to the firewall to free up some more room for it...

if you're worried about nose-weight, throw an ls1 in there and use a stand-alone custom harness to manage the fuel injection... that would be BAD

[scoobytuff]

If you have the time and are resourceful. The small block installation should be relatively easy. Check out some of the stuff the Grassroots Motorsport guys do on a budget, some of that stuff is just awesome. Getting into forced induction will be costly and time consuming. A 300hp 350 in that car would probably be pretty impressive and very driveable. Thats roughly 3 times the hp it came with and building a 300hp 350 is easy and won't go too deep into your pocket. For the weight saved a V6 with comparable powerto weight ratio would be good too. If you keep it GM and simple, this may be easier and less costly than you think. This is the kind of stuff that makes hotrodding what it is. I like different.

[bag91]

It be sweet to see