The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

You have hit the nail on the head with a mention of BMW. My favourite Triumph saloon is a big six but why bother when BMW's are cheap and plentiful with more power and better reliability.

cliftyhanger wrote:BMW stuff is generally pretty cheap. So a BMW conversion into a dolly would be one of the cheapest ways to get a modern engine in there. Some very light gearboxes too....

I have wondered why, despite being available and inexpensive BMW doesn't seem to feature much?
Dual mass flywheels seem to be a deterrent?


On the T2000 register forum, there is a conversion to BMW engine/box of a mark one by Andy Borris.
Alas, I can't find a link but I believe you will know of him from Club Triumph already, Clive?




Ian.

A few people do bmw rear axle/driveshaft conversions for the big cars too. Not cheap but fit and forget.

Tony

There was a BMW Dolly engine conversion complete with the electronic ignition. Was so long ago was probably in the days of DSR ...

sprint95m wrote:

cliftyhanger wrote:BMW stuff is generally pretty cheap. So a BMW conversion into a dolly would be one of the cheapest ways to get a modern engine in there. Some very light gearboxes too....

I have wondered why, despite being available and inexpensive BMW doesn't seem to feature much?
Dual mass flywheels seem to be a deterrent?


On the T2000 register forum, there is a conversion to BMW engine/box of a mark one by Andy Borris.
Alas, I can't find a link but I believe you will know of him from Club Triumph already, Clive?




Ian.

Afraid I have never (knowingly) met the chap.
A few kitcars use BMW stuff, and I believe the ECU's are relatively easy to re-use (that may not apply to all models!) but it seems most go for Ford/vauxhall, or else jap stuff. No idea why...

The white T2000 in front of the Jag in this shot has a BMW complete drivetrain.



It was nice and smooth but not desperately fast, I passed him a couple of times till he got the hang of the circuit, even then, he couldn't shake me off and by then he was scratching the door handles on the corners!

Steve

Great pic there. Carledo looks steady

Tony

Thanks Tony, can't take any credit for the pic, there was a pro photographer there on the day!
I have a better shot of the 2000 but for some reason, can't seem to upload it to photobucket, Reg looks like DPD 572L.

The Carledo is nicely flat and well mannered in the corners, neutral to power oversteer, just how I like 'em! Not much to do on the chassis side now, just a few more horses and i'll be happy as a pig in ****!

Steve

Thanks Tony, can't take any credit for the pic, there was a pro photographer there on the day!

Sorry to be blunt and to go off topic a bit but imho there's nothing pro about that shot. This is what annoys me about these so called track day photographers, most of them are technically knowledgeable, they know how to use a camera, but I'm afraid they don't know how to take a picture!

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice picture of your car but the picture's not really telling me anything. I don't get a sense of what's happening, how fast are you going? Are you the limit? You see what I mean.

Same sort of picture, but I have tried to keep the car to the right to give a sense of speed and direction.



Come down south and do a track day Steve and I'll come and take some photos of you!

James467 wrote:

Thanks Tony, can't take any credit for the pic, there was a pro photographer there on the day!

Sorry to be blunt and to go off topic a bit but imho there's nothing pro about that shot. This is what annoys me about these so called track day photographers, most of them are technically knowledgeable, they know how to use a camera, but I'm afraid they don't know how to take a picture!

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice picture of your car but the picture's not really telling me anything. I don't get a sense of what's happening, how fast are you going? Are you the limit? You see what I mean.

Same sort of picture, but I have tried to keep the car to the right to give a sense of speed and direction.



Come down south and do a track day Steve and I'll come and take some photos of you!

All Triumph track day is at Castle Coombe near Chippenham Wilts April 12th, I'll be there, is that south enough for you?

Steve

`PS Mad Mart and at lest half a dozen other Dollys will also be there!

Drama with trackside photos? Well if the old 3 car in a row trick doesn't work...



There always the panning shot with the exaggerated camera angle tilt!



(If curious, Snetterton 2004 with my Canon 300D)

Found it!



Steve

I can do 3 cars in a row EOS 70D, Tamron 70-300!

This is Goodwood to me, the race track, the race course on the hill, a moody sky!!



Anyway Steve, yes let me try and get some childcare sorted and I'll be there with bells on!

Erm... not dressed as a morris dancer mind, don;t want to put you off!

Back on topic, I'll collect the type 9 on Friday.

I think the BMW units are discounted is because they are relatively unknown to the users, I think there's a degree of familiarity and a good parts backup, regardless of cost, with the Vauxhall and Ford units.

James467 wrote:I can do 3 cars in a row EOS 70D, Tamron 70-300!

This is Goodwood to me, the race track, the race course on the hill, a moody sky!!



Anyway Steve, yes let me try and get some childcare sorted and I'll be there with bells on!

Erm... not dressed as a morris dancer mind, don;t want to put you off!

Back on topic, I'll collect the type 9 on Friday.

I think the BMW units are discounted is because they are relatively unknown to the users, I think there's a degree of familiarity and a good parts backup, regardless of cost, with the Vauxhall and Ford units.

I'll look forward to seeing you there James!

Back on topic as well, I have been looking at Beamers a lot lately for a variety of reasons but mostly because my son in law has a bit of a thing for them (the birth of the twins has led to the sale of his beloved E36 M3EVO)
My ruminations have produced these thoughts:-
1) The 4 cylinder Beamers are not well regarded by tuners, being considered a sort of "poor relation" and the straight 6's are generally too long to fit in cars that originally only had il4's.
2) BMW gearboxes only really fit BMW engines, there seems to be no aftermarket in conversions.
3) The REALLY powerful BMW lumps (the V8s and bigger 6's) are almost exclusively autos, the only exceptions being the M-sport cars where the gearboxes are very expensive both to buy and rebuild.

And with so many other possibilities available, particularly from the mass of blue oval tuners, why bother looking elsewhere?

Incidentally, many years ago I went on a tour of the Morgan factory (fascinating in itself and highly recommended if you get the chance) At the time they were just converting the +4 and 4/4 from Ford CVH to Rover K series power units but still keeping the Ford gearbox, so it occurs to me that it might be possible to get conversion parts for K series to (what I presume was) Type 9 from Morgan.

Steve