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TR6 TR6 repower?

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With all that extra power you may want to consider upgrading the suspension. As you may know, Good Parts and other suppliers have many tricks to improve the handeling of our tr6's.
 
back to my question, will it fit. I measured a M3 engine from an M3 coupe and it seemed to be too big.
 
Yes, it will fit. The S52 engine you were looking at should also, as it's the same length. The front pulleys all come off except the back one, and the Triumph engine's head is pretty far up on the block, I measured from the back cover to the front crank bolt. Bear in mind the TR's throttle rod will be gone, and the battery will be in the trunk. The only possible clearance issue is the crossmember that comes up in front of the crank, which may need modification.
 
Hi 35thbdaytr6,welcome and it's yours, go for it, just bring it over to NC for a car show or two and let me drive it. I can see you like to tinker, so why not go for the ground effects and get rid of the bumpers. Wow, while I was typeing this I got a visual, it would look like a Mini M3, or am I nuts. Wayne
 
I agree with MD. I love the Triumph's straight six. It's smooth, torque, and sounds better than anything out there. Build it up. With a little work, it can really become a screamer.
 
Have you seen this one? GT6 3200 A whole lot of re-engineering in this project /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Yes, it will fit. The S52 engine you were looking at should also, as it's the same length. The front pulleys all come off except the back one, and the Triumph engine's head is pretty far up on the block, I measured from the back cover to the front crank bolt. Bear in mind the TR's throttle rod will be gone, and the battery will be in the trunk. The only possible clearance issue is the crossmember that comes up in front of the crank, which may need modification.[ QUOTE ]


That would be great. When I purchased my 69 TR6, this is just what I had in mind. I would love to see what you end up doing, as mine is on hold for a couple of years.
I wanted a TR6, but with more HP, a modern A/C (Houston is hot in the summer) and some other things. I also wanted to be able to drive this car at high speed driver education events.
One of my main worries was how to take care of the front cross brace and keep the rigidity, I am not an engineer.
Hope you keep us up to date on this.
 
the bmw engine swap is also one that i considered but was allways under the impression that it was a heavy engine. However, since your saying that it is 45 pounds lighter, it sounds like a good choice as long as the engine isn't to tall and fits good. My final choice for a swap is a 5.0 H.O. out of an 88 mustang (this engine,without the aluminum heads, weighs the same as the tr engine) with the 5 speed t5, using the nissan 300 z rear limited slip diff from richard good, this is going into either the tr6 or tr250. I tend to view a car as a blank canvas that the owner creates according to their personal likes. In the end performing and being admired for its looks.
 
I am new to the forum but would have to say go for it. I have had several Triumphs from restored to original to highly modified. It is your car and as another member stated, since it is not a long door TR2, build it up the way you want it. I rebuilt my TR4A to stock, then modified with a judson supercharger and lowered suspension and then finally did an engine swap. At the 2004 VTR convention, I got nothing but good comments and the car was fantastic. I did a Rover V8 conversion with a T5 5-speed. I am familiar with the BMW 6 as my son has a 86 325e. The 325i engine would be ideal for the TR6 along with the 5 speed and diff. Be sure to send pictures and keep us up to date on the project. My site is https://www.v8triumph.com if you are interested in my project.
 
Hi all , new to the Forum , long time list subscriber,
Being a Triumph & BMW owner & fan as well I can see both sides of coin here. There are intersting alternitives to give you about the same power as the BMW 6. The cool factor of making the old tech Triumph motor competitive with current street rice burners is a plus. I think the logistics of replacing an entire drivedrain & rear suspension mod's are overwelming compared to rebuilding & upgrading performance. If long term projects & considerable fabrication are not a problem then go for it. I would opt to give it some balls & drive it .
 
I have all the BMW components out and sitting on the floor, the fabrication work will be minimal. The bulk of work will be in swapping out differentials, which I would do even if I was keeping Triumph power. I can't justify shelling out a grand for a Nissan swap kit & diff when for an afternoons worth of work I can have an LSD BMW diff for free. Motor and trans mounting is simple, shifter can be put anywhere, BMW's Bosch fuel pump and filter bolts right in next to the tank, and a speedo shop in Michigan will convert my speedo and tach to electronic for $200. A big part of me wants to keep the car original, right down to colors, but another part sure would like to enjoy driving a trouble free car.
 
There's no doubt that the BMW 6 is the finast motor I have had in any car. The torque & smoothness is unrivaled. My current 98 328iC & before this a 82 733i then a 91 730i, all powered by a version of the same motor. It is a big 6 , what would the weight be compared to the TR lump?
The TR diff will handle up to 200hp if it's not used constanly as a drag car. I agree about the Nissan upgrade--way to much money but a good solid improvement. If this is both a mechanical excersize & you have the patience to wait I think the swaps end result would be awsome.
 
The engine in your 7's was an M30, considered the big 6, your 328i has the M50 (actually M52tuB28), which is the second generation of the little six. The M30 is a heavy and large lump, about 85lbs and 3 inches longer than the TR unit. An M20 or M50 series engine is nearly identical in size and 70 to 130 pounds lighter depending on the version you can find. Z3's and late 528 and 530's had an iron sleeved aluminum block, all others were iron blocks, alloy heads. I chose an M20B25 for two reasons. I get them for free from cars I part out, and since everything is metal (valve covers and intake) it can be disguised to look correct to the casual observer. Picture the BL emblem on the intake and a Triumph rear valance badge in the middle of the valve cover. As for the differential, the stock unit is a noisy and heavy, the BMW unit is free, the correct ratio, light, quiet, limited slip and easy to install.
Also, I'll be doing this next winter during the body-off. When I'm done, I'll be happy to give rides and throw the keys to someone else. I have converted many people to BMW by letting them drive the M3, cars are to be enjoyed. I live minutes from "The Dragon" (hwy 129), Cades Cove, Foothills Parkway and Gatlinburg, and I'll shoot the breeze for hours with anyone out this way!
 
Since all the parts are waiting & the price is right, it seems like the actual assembly is well within your abilities, but I'm warning you right now, your gonna miss the oil leaks, vibration & quirks of the British drivetrain :').
P.S. can I pick your brain on a dash light prob on the 328 ?
 
I'll miss the quirks, but I won't miss the oil tracked in the house from the garage, or the constant smell of gas and gear lube filling the house. Sometimes my wife would wake me up and I'd have to push the car outside and leave the garage door open in the middle of the night.
 
Dan, welcome to the forum! I have spoken highly of your book on TR6 electricals and have seen your postings in the past on the 302 installation. How's that project coming? Having let the cat out of the bag about your electrical expertiese, hope we can pick your brain for electrical glitches. For anyone looking, besides the Bentley manuel, I would recommend you buy Dan's book. Has saved me on more that one occasion. Your wiring diagrams for each year TR6 are right on! Hope we don't become a pest....

Bill
 
Dan, nice to hear from you. Your name has come up with a few other insiders I have bumped into. I was going to do a 302 until I figured out I could have something stealthy under the hood for free. I'll IM you.
 
I found the BMW differential to be a great choice. I bought 2 LSD units for less than $200 off Ebay. Right now I'm running the 2.93 gears. It takes off really nice and gets me over 20mpg when I'm not acting out my youth...
I was amazed how easy it was to install. I also took out the rear shock bracket and replaced it with 1x4 inch square tubing- which the diff back torque mount is bolted to.
The 6 bolt to 4 bolt steel axle adapters cost me $300 at a local machine shop. UGH.... I'm thinking about going to something in the high 3 range if the price on Ebay is right. Far as I'm concerned the BMW differential is the way to go.
I look forward to reading updates!
Jeff
 

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