Building a BMW V8 powered old school inspired Hot Rod.

**Mykk** · 09-09-2018, 09:21 PM

Hey guys, wanted to share a few pics of my recent project. This is just a home build, not a pro fab build. It's not meant to be a show car trailer queen. It is going to be my budget built little cruiser.

I was originally putting the engine together for another project, then I decided to take a left at Albuquerque and build an entirely different car around the engine. A car I had wanted to build since I was a kid.

Engine:
Mid 90's BMW 4.4L M62 block & rotating assembly
Early 90's BMW 4.0L M60 heads and cams
Eaton M112 supercharger from a late 90's Jaguar, with Jag intercoolers & injection

While assembling the engine I took measurements of everything I could:

Pistons sit +.025" above deck, they have roughly a 4cc dish. Heads have 52cc of chamber volume. With a 1.74mm thick head gasket static compression lands at roughly 9.6:1

The cam timings are 211° Int / 206° Exh duration @ 1mm lift. With aftermarket cam timing blocks it timings are 108° ICL and 108° LSA. I've set them up for a 110° ICL & 112° LSA

I'm aiming for 8psi-10psi with the Eaton M112

The nitrous pictured above is a wet shot but will ultimately be a 2 stage dry shot with a progressive 150hp shot. The EFI controller can handle the Nitrous controls and extra fueling.

The first piece of the Hot Rod, a Speedway Motors fiberglass standard '23 T-bucket body:

Then a reproduction '32 Ford grill:

Next a mid 70's Jaguar independent rear end:

The transmission is a mid 90's BMW getrag 420G 6 speed manual from an E34 with a 265mm clutch, also some cheap universal tractor seats and this is my pile of parts:

Rear wheels & tires, American Racing VN502 15"x10" and M&H 30"x14.5" (12" tread):

Piecing a few things together:

It's got a long way to go but you can already begin to get an idea of the Rod's character and demeanor:

Front wheels, 15"x5" to match the rears with Firestone 155/80-15 tires, and the drilled & dropped front axle with disc brakes:

You are now caught up with the current progress. The next step will be a frame, suspension & steering.

Check back for updates

**Sticky2** · 09-10-2018, 12:49 AM

Very well detailed I'm just wondering why you opted for an M62?

**N54rsenal** · 09-10-2018, 03:26 AM

Will the M62B44 make more power with the older M60B40 cylinder heads or otherwise you would of just used to whole long block? Also the old E32/E38 V12's can make 1000hp on a stock block.

**Mykk** · 09-10-2018, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Sticky2

Very well detailed I'm just wondering why you opted for an M62?

Why a BMW v8 in this kind of built, or why the M62 of all the BMW options?

I have really grown to love the architecture of the M60/M62 and of course the 4.4L is more displacement then the 4.0L.

Using a pre-vanos version of the V8 makes wiring and tuning easier with aftermarket EFI and keeps things cleaner to eye in an open engine hot rod

**Mykk** · 09-10-2018, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by N54rsenal

Will the M62B44 make more power with the older M60B40 cylinder heads or otherwise you would of just used to whole long block? Also the old E32/E38 V12's can make 1000hp on a stock block.

The Internet told me that the M60's have bigger valves and bigger cams compared to the M62's. After measuring everything I am doubting that assessment, but alas I've already got all the parts and am actually thankful I've used the M60 timing gears & chains.

**Sticky** · 09-10-2018, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Mykk

Why a BMW v8 in this kind of built, or why the M62 of all the BMW options?

I mean me if going BMW power I'd want an S85 but I get that you had an M62 essentially available and that makes this far more affordable.

It's unique, that's for sure.