S38 or M88 engine to coupe swap

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SoCalE9

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Has anybody on this forum ever attempted this swap? Saw a picture of 72 CS with a S38 engine in it and wanted to know how difficult it would be to do this! Does someone have a diy for it?
 
Swap

I'm not sure that there is a tit for tat swap book, but can assume that the problems will be near identical to the S14 swap into a 2002. Biggest problems will be choice of transmission, throttle cables, electrical/harness, exhaust and choice of existing fuel injection for the S38/M88 or the use of an aftermarket controller such as the Megasquirt kit. All else should just match up as the M30.

k
 
You also have to pound in the firewall a bit to compensate for the S38's wider head, based on corsachili's experiences in the matter.
 
European Car magazine did a story in the early 90's of an E9 that had a S88 swap into it. I have that magazine some where in storage with all my other crap. If I remember right, the coupe owner was a doctor in San Luis Obispo. Anyone know this car?

G-Man
 
It's been done many times and Steve is correct in that you need to create a little divot about the size of a softball in the passenger side of the firewall in order to allow the wide twin cam box to clear. I did indeed do this before deciding to leave my CSL stock. I have a nearly complete S38 motor if you're interested in undertaking this yourself. Note that you'll also need a different bellhousing for your gearbox, which is a one year only part I believe (E30 M3?). In summary, it can be done but there are lots of little details that frankly I do no know as I opted to stay with the D-jet motor, despite its warts.
 
Installing the twin cam 24 valve

Do not assume it's a drop in job and easily done for just a little money--there are a myriad of steps that are necessary to do this modification correctly on top of the cost of suitable pats. It's a good idea to assemble a generous budget and locate a really talented and motivated mechanic to assist--that is--unless you are that person and have those capabilities.

Dr Ping Tsao spent several thousand dollars to do it in the early 90's by way of a skilled fabricator and high performance mechanic who did the fitment for him--I remember when he first arrived at the annual Monterey event with the several month project finally workable--and he recited what I have just shared. Today of course others have done this so the path has been somewhat worn in involving those needed steps.

Thought you would want to have some "straight talk" about your planned mod.
 
I've heard of that car and others being done but can't remember what was done to the chassis (if anything). Does anyone know if the chassis was strengthened for the additional torque?

Dan
 
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