Alex.
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 11:59 AM |
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Volvo engine, BMW gearbox, is it feasible?
Hi Guys,
I have been thinking about building a kit car for years, but never had the time or money to get started. Now some things have come together at the
same (right!) time for me to think about a build.
I have also done just the wrong thing, got an engine then thought about the rest of the car! My daily drivers engine is sick, so she is currently in
the garage having an engine change, as it is cheaper than paying a garage to change the rings.  She is a Volvo V40 T4, so a 4 cylinder, turbo
charged, all aluminium lump with 200bhp.
From various internet wanderings, I have found an adapter plate that can mate this engine to a 6 cylinder 3 series BMW gearbox.
Then a kind soul on another forum offered me an almost complete Ron Champion chassis for very little dosh! I was flabbergasted. But it has started
to move my plans up a notch, with the wife's consent!!
So, to the question in hand. Has anyone tried to put a Volvo engine or BMW gearbox into a Locost?
My main concern is that the gearbox will be too big, or that the engine will be too high.
Am I just being too ambitious for my first car build?? Although I have built and rebuilt motorbikes a few times.
Oh, and while I'm asking questions, has anyone got a Euromillions jackpot winning lottery ticket from last week that they are not going to use?
Alex.
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twybrow
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 12:04 PM |
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Alex - welcome to the forum. Sounds like an ambitious plan, but one worth pursuing. There are folk on here with Volvo engines, and people running with
BMW engines/gearbox combos, so I'm sure you will find some useful info on here....
Good luck with the build, and dont be scared off from doing something different.
It might be good if you could post a link to this adaptor...?
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cd.thomson
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 12:07 PM |
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yes definitely possible, there are people on this forum with intimate knowledge of both volvo and bmw running gear.
It'll be more complicated than following the book word for word, but this site will be able to guide and advise on most issues (as ive
found!)
On another forum I was told I was too ambitious wanting to fit an XE engine to my Dax rather than the original pinto the chassis was designed for
(considering it was my first build).. The engine and box are about to be fitted - thanks to everyone on here.
Craig
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Alex.
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 12:17 PM |
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Thanks for the welcome guys.
I'm not put off by doing the ambitious, it just takes longer with more reason to be in the garage! 
This is the adapter plate:- Adapter plate
I hope you can read Swedish!
My main concern was that the gearbox would not fit at all. Guess I'll just have to get everything together and try it out!
Wish me luck....
Alex.
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matt_claydon
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 01:06 PM |
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Yes, it can be done:
 
T5 Engine @ Nurburgring
(T5 engine with BMW E30 325 'box and KLRacing adapter plate.)
MK Indy chassis required a little 'relieving of the footwells to clear bellhousing but nothing major. With a 4-cylinder you probably
wouldn't have any trouble. The engine is fairly tall and with standard sump it sticks an inch or so below the chassis and the rocker cover pokes
out through the bonnet (this could be hidden easily with a scoop).
The biggest issue with this installation is that the BMW boxes have quite short input shafts and they do not reach the clutch plate with the standard
flywheel. There are 3 obvious options to solve this:
* Use a very thick flywheel (dual mass off a 6-cyl 3 litre)
* Extend input shaft on gearbox (difficult)
* Custom friction plate with deep splined section to reach input shaft.
I went with the first as it was simplest but it doesn't make the engine very responsive. There may be other solutions like custom flywheels but
you're probably talking serious £££.
This simplest way of getting a Volvo engine in is to use the M90 RWB gearbox. These are rare and you're looking at about 300 quid and they are
also very wide (albeit also very short). Benzine has fitted one of these to an Indy chassis but it takes quite a big chunk out of the driver's
footwell.
[Edited on 14/5/09 by matt_claydon]
[Edited on 14/5/09 by matt_claydon]
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blakep82
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 02:31 PM |
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a few mods might be needed on the chassis to widen the tunnel, but shouldn't be too difficult. anythings possible with some imagination 
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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mark chandler
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 04:22 PM |
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4th option on the input shaft, do what jaguar did and have the spigot bearing within the flywheel, also a dual mass affair.
These are getrag gearboxes, very strong !
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matt_claydon
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 05:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
4th option on the input shaft, do what jaguar did and have the spigot bearing within the flywheel, also a dual mass affair.
These are getrag gearboxes, very strong !
Unfortuntely the problem is that the splines don't reach the clutch plate. Dealing with spigot bearing is easy compared to solving that!
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 05:22 PM |
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you could also find an M90 .
ive since sourced a lightened flywheel and clutch from TTV racing that fits all volvo uprated parts .
the getrag will fit a std tunnel - others might not .
why fit 4 when you can fit 5 or 6 ?
Mine is based purely on volvo using a redblock turbo with volvo running gear .
im sure the volvo engined owners will be able to sort most of your issues out , one i day i hope to see a fleet of us .
im sure benzine will be along soon too .
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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Benzine
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 05:51 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsportone day i hope to see a fleet of us .
*tears up with pride*
quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsportim sure benzine will be along soon too .
o hai \m/^__^\m/ I have a Volvo straight six 3.0 in my MK with the M90 gearbox, the gearbox is fairly tight, I needed to modify the firewall/sheet
metal section, I haven't had to cut the chassis itself so it can be done. Oh and the engine is tight too ^__^ I've done flip all on it for
ages but recently I've been working on it again since I've got my new barn/workshop. I need to find someone to TIG up my sump next...
The mental gymnastics a landlord will employ to justify immoral actions is clinically fascinating. Just because something is legal doesn't make
it moral.
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alistairolsen
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 07:54 PM |
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I have a volvo t5 engine, and a getrag 260 engine from an e30 325.
Not in the car yet
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stevegough
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 08:56 PM |
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another guy just posted under 'chassis' is thinking along the same lines - volvo / bmw.
Luego Locost C20XE.
Build start: October 6th 2008.
IVA passed Jan 28th 2011.
First drive Feb 10th 2011.
First show: Stoneleigh 1st/2nd May 2011.
'Used up' first engine may 3rd 2011!
Back on the road with 2nd engine may 24th
First PASA mad drive 26/7/11
Sold to Mike in Methyr Tydvil 19/03/14
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Alex.
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 09:41 PM |
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I'm glad I asked now! All good, then. I just need to pull my finger out and get started!!
Be prepared for lots of questions, in a while, probably... 
Alex.
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 14/5/09 at 09:45 PM |
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http://www.turbobricks.com/
volvospeed
t5d5
volvo owners club
youll find most people are helpfull .
what running gear are you basing it on ?
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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Alex.
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| posted on 15/5/09 at 07:42 AM |
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I am a member of lots of Volvo forums:-
VOC
T5D5
S40Concepts
VPC
TurboBricks
RWD Volvos...
All helpful chaps, mostly!
I am currently basing my running gear on a T4 engine that will be going spare (after changing the rings...) and a Ron Champion chassis that is going
really cheap!
Just need to find a garage to rent in the Rainham area of Medway....
Alex.
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 15/5/09 at 05:22 PM |
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yeah , what about the rest of teh stuff .
ford axle and uprights etc ?
youve probably seen me somewhere about then .
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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Alex.
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| posted on 15/5/09 at 07:28 PM |
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Don't know about the rest of the stuff yet, I've not even got my engine home from the garage! They are still changing it.
Spent the last couple of weeks using my bike to commute, just glad it hasn't rained much!!
It will probably be according to the original book, so Ford stuff as and when I can get hold of it cheap...
Alex.
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Chris_
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| posted on 16/5/09 at 04:21 PM |
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E30 320i gearbox is a decent chunk shorter than the 325i. Also has closer ratios and has been run with a good 300+ hp so plenty strong enough
Chris
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