New Member

[JOHNHOF]

I just registered here and want to say hello. I currently own a 1995 BMW M3, 1988 BMW 325ic and 1976 BMW 2002. I don't own a 7 style car but I am doing the research now to determine the path I want to take in obtaining one. I hope to be here often to correspond with some of you. And I hope some of the members will share their experience of build and ownership with me. I will say to date I am leaning towards buying a kit and building one. The engine choice in another thing. I was thinking a Ford 1.6 LTR would be cheap and easy to get. But I have a BMW 2.5 LTR already sitting on a crate in the garage that would not take much work to get running. Have any of the members here installed a BMW engine in a Seven?

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

John

[Al N.]

John-

 

 

 

Welcome. Would love to know how you found the site. Take a second to introduce yourself on the "Tell us a little about yourselves" thread, which is "sticky" so it always stays at the top.

 

 

 

As for BMW engined cars, I think Jon W. built a Locost around a 320 donor car, motor and all. I'm sure he'll be chiming in eventually.

 

 

 

Of course, if you feel like diving in, you can always meet a bunch of us at the Tail of the Dragon meet in early July. There's a thread in the Events section about it.

 

 

 

-Al

[Jon W.]

My son and I built a Locost from a 1980 320i because the price was right; $275. I'm not a big fan of K-Jetronic. I do think an I6 would look sweet in a 7 as a cruiser; or a 4 cyl with carbs (or EFI) as a racer. My next 7 will be Miata-based, after I finish my Locost Atom VTEC.

 

BMW Locost can be seen at http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11304/features-review-the-homemades-jon-a-winterhalters-locost-sports-car-page2.html

[redbaron]

John, contact Dennis Hedges via internet on: shortmt@adelphia.net or via land line on 304-274-3078. As I recall he built up a Rotus with a BMW engine about the time he was working on mine back in 1992. I don't remember the specific BMW engine but he may be able to give you some useful information. As an aside, I powered my Rotus with a Ford 2.3 liter OHC, turbocharged and intercooled engine with other performancements as well. Regards, Red Baron

[powderbrake]

John:

I am in St.Louis, and have assembled my own WCM Ultralite kit. I would be happy to share what experience I have with you. email me geddens at charter.net

 

[xflow7]

Depending on what kit you select, the trick with large-ish (note, for a 7 large means > 2 liters :jester:) OHC engines is often height. Given that most (all?) BMW inlines are slant, it might work out, but the packaging may still be pretty tricky in a small chassis type (e.g. standard size Caterham and poss. Westfield)

 

Edit: Just don't let any of the Brits find out you're putting a German engine in a Seven.

[JOHNHOF]

As I said in my initial post my thoughts were to use a Ford 1.6 LTR because it fit the theme of LTW and inexpensive. The 2.5 LTR BMW came in to play because I have one in a crate sitting next to the drink fridge in my garage and to be honest my wife wants to know what I plan to do with it. But over the weekend my nephew and his wife came up pregnent and I will probabply give them my GMC Safari so they have a car big enough to carry kid stuff. In return I will probably take her beat up 98 Escort. I have not looked at the car but I know it has a four cylinder and I fuigure it probably has a 1.6 or 1.8. So now I could be back to the Ford engine. Unfortunatly her car has an automatic so I will need to find a tranny. I like this plan better because I want the car to be as lite and nimble as possible. I assume I will be able to use more parts off the Escort. I'm really getting excited about this.

 

Jerry I will be emailing you today so we can talk.

 

Thank you everyone for the responses,

John

[JOHNHOF]

My son and I built a Locost from a 1980 320i because the price was right; $275. I'm not a big fan of K-Jetronic. I do think an I6 would look sweet in a 7 as a cruiser; or a 4 cyl with carbs (or EFI) as a racer. My next 7 will be Miata-based, after I finish my Locost Atom VTEC.

 

BMW Locost can be seen at http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11304/features-review-the-homemades-jon-a-winterhalters-locost-sports-car-page2.html

 

That article is pretty cool and a $2,500 outlay is also pretty cool. But I question that I could do it that cheap and end up with a nice car. I would like to get away with spending under $4,000 but I am afraid I might not possess all the skills necessary to keep cost down.

The Honda VTEC engine seems ideal. What are your thoughts so far. Any reason for moving away from the VTEC and to a Miata-based car next time around? Is it because you can use more of the Miata in teh build keeping the donor parts search to a minimum and still having true spart car parts?

 

Thanks,

John

[JOHNHOF]

John-

 

 

 

Welcome. Would love to know how you found the site. Take a second to introduce yourself on the "Tell us a little about yourselves" thread, which is "sticky" so it always stays at the top.

 

 

 

As for BMW engined cars, I think Jon W. built a Locost around a 320 donor car, motor and all. I'm sure he'll be chiming in eventually.

 

 

 

Of course, if you feel like diving in, you can always meet a bunch of us at the Tail of the Dragon meet in early July. There's a thread in the Events section about it.

 

 

 

-Al

 

I would like to meet some Seven owners at the Dragon but I would have to drive something other than a seven since I don't own one yet. Would that be okay?

 

I have been searching the web for a couple of days for information about the various options to building a Sevenish car. I found this site on a link page but I don't remember where. If I do remember I will post the address here.

 

 

Thanks,

John

[JOHNHOF]

John, contact Dennis Hedges via internet on: shortmt@adelphia.net or via land line on 304-274-3078. As I recall he built up a Rotus with a BMW engine about the time he was working on mine back in 1992. I don't remember the specific BMW engine but he may be able to give you some useful information. As an aside, I powered my Rotus with a Ford 2.3 liter OHC, turbocharged and intercooled engine with other performancements as well. Regards, Red Baron

 

Red Baron,

I will call Dennis. Thank you for the info. Holly cow your car must scream.

John H

[JOHNHOF]

Depending on what kit you select, the trick with large-ish (note, for a 7 large means > 2 liters :jester:) OHC engines is often height. Given that most (all?) BMW inlines are slant, it might work out, but the packaging may still be pretty tricky in a small chassis type (e.g. standard size Caterham and poss. Westfield)

 

Edit: Just don't let any of the Brits find out you're putting a German engine in a Seven.

 

I will consider packaging a little more as I don't want to make this project harder than is need to be.

 

I'll keep it quite with the Brits. I hate to see what happens when they find out what happened to their Minis, Astons, Jaguars and Rovers.

[Al N.]

 

I would like to meet some Seven owners at the Dragon but I would have to drive something other than a seven since I don't own one yet. Would that be okay?

 

John-you wouldn't be the only one in that situation. We'll post something soon on someone can be involved even if you are not bringing an LSiS. (We could probably use some non-seven camera cars out there - hint, hint, hint) There will be a charge for meals and memorabilia, of course. Stay posted.