S14 engine in BMW 2002

[Richard Blundell]

Hi Guys,
I am currently installing S14 engine in BMW 2002. Problem is all S14 engines were in LHD E30 cars. Mine is a RHD and as such has steering box in the way of exhaust manifold.
Has anyone any info on an exhaust manifold set up for this car?

Richard

[LeeVuong]

Might want to go to a steering rack

http://www.m2bmw.com/m2_gallery_new.htm

[Mmark]

Check out OZBMW s car. He did a RHD S14 conversion plus later, a Turbo S14 in the same E30. The space limitations are similar to your problem and he provided excellent photo documentation.

m

[DSM2002]

I am starting to look at this in Oz as well. A number of the Australian 'M2s' use the standard steering box with a Tarago joint. I may go this way, although I prefer a r&p conversion. I have some leave coming up soon and was planning to go around some wreckers with tape measure and look at racks.

For the rack conversion on 02s, some people use the e21 rack but it is a poor choice. It slow and is made worse with the longer steering arms of the 2002. Later BMW racks from the e30, e36, Z3, etc are located in front of the cross member which complicates things.

Dawiem3 on bmw2002faq looks like he has used a LHD E30 M3 reversed and upside down Link.

I have also seen a 2002 with an earlier Mazda 323/Lazer rack which supposedly works well.

For headers, I was talking to someone earlier tonight who can make headers and I am researching this as well. I have been waiting for someone else who has been too busy for most of this year. Initially, I was thinking about replicating the 50/50 header specs shaped to fit the RHD 2002.

David

PS that's an impressive 2002 roller you have there.

Dawie

[Harry]

hi i had an exhaust manifold made for my car . i could take some pictures if you wont may help .

[EvadM3]

Dave,

I`m at the same problem as you are. M2 - RHD . I`m looking at modifying an existing header to clear the steering linkage. I have a 50/50 two piece evo 2 header or a standard one piece that I can put under the hacksaw. Need to spend more time in the garage but current work commitments are making it difficult.

Will let you know how I`m getting on.

Regards,

Dawie = Dave = Evad M3

[OZM3]

Richard. I have a RHD exhaust manifold that I am willing to part with. I am also in Brisbane. It is from my M3 when it was N/A. It does need a repair so that would be reflected in the price. It has been ceramic coated as well.

Shoot me an email [email protected]

[e21jason]

Hi

If you need an e21 quick rack drop me a line but yes you have to modify the 02 steering arms

Jason

[Richard Blundell]

Hi Harry,
Very interested to see pictures.
Richard

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Hi Dawie,
All info you have provided sounds interesting as I definately think the rack is the way to go as it gives you more room to fabricate a equal length exhaust manifold.
Keep me informed. Where are you?
Regards
Richard

[mickey1969]

Go to : http://www.m2bmw.com/m2_gallery_new.htm

[EvadM3]

Hi Richard,

I`m located in London and not to far from Harry M2.

I made little progress other than deciding to cut the 50/50 evo header. Send me a PM with your mail address and will send you pic`s of where I`m at. I`m contemplating substituting for a maunual rack to offer more clearance, but was never intending to run the car with a power option in the first place. Once I`m underneath will have a better view. I have also fitted E30 subframe and LSD, so also have disc brakes on the rear, and a bullet proof diff. It also makes it easier to change ratio`s as can swop between my e30 Alpina, E30 m3 track car and a couple of other LSD`s I have lying around, so can match the diff to what circuit, and ultimatly it will vist the Ring for a few laps.

By the way, you guys better beat England in the Rugby on Saturday, as we ( South Africa ) have them the week after.

Cheers,

Dave

[Mario L.]

Guys,

I built Roy W. 's M2 which can be seen on the My E28 website under Eye candy and the M2 site listed above. Our design approach was to build an S14 powered 2002 the way BMW would have built it if they'd had the S14 back in the day . . while also addressing the issues of the S14 in an ancient chassis . .
let's face it the S14 is a buzzy vibrator, and the 2002 chassis was not designed for these stresses and vibrations.
Installing a steering rack LHD or RHD is not so complex . .

You need to utilize a steering column with a u joint under the dash to redirect the lower section of the steering column. Shorten an E21 323i rack 19 mm on each end, shorten the 2002 steering arms 24.5 mm. Mount the steering rack behind the present subframe. Use the 2 piece header and build a new lower section for this header . .

Eliminate the standard M10 motor mounts, use stock S14 mounts on a fully welded 2002 subframe with modified S14 motor mount arms . . . along with stock S14 tranny mounts and the vibes are gone . . sounds simple . . . I can add some pictures to this thread another time if the demand is there.
Some construction pictures are found on Mye28.com by searching for posts from RoyW . .
I will post a page on my website soon all about this build with lots of pictures. For those that can't wait:

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=49348&highlight=

If you'd like VSR to build you one, we can do another!

Mario L.

https://www.VSR1.com

[LeeVuong]

Super job, Mario. Lots of interesting details: rear e30 subframe and trailing arms, engine location, shorter aluminum water tube etc. I am taking notes...

Spent the the evening on that boosterless race pedal box: here's the first prototype, not finished yet. Just fooling around.







I also modified the oil pan to clear the subframe.

[jbmike]

I saw this car at OFest this year and the worksmanship is phenominal! I can only imagine the number of hours that went into building this beauty.
Great work Mario.

..Mike Allen

[EvadM3]

Mario,

Roy`s car is excellent and well done on a fantastic build, I`m sure this car will inspire others to build M2`s especially if you provide, build pictures to take away some of the headachs.

Fitting a steering rack is not that difficult and even easier if you are LHD to start with. My car & Richard`s are RHD`s so require slightly more modifications with the exhaust manifold, to clear the steering coupling. I`m only a weekend mechanic with limited garage tools so take time getting things done, and that is part of the fun with tinkering on your car. I fully appreciate if your a business that custom builds move along at a great pace and produce inspiring cars for the rest of us as has been done with Roy`s car,

Please post the build pic`s as we all learn from others expirences, and especially from the like`s of roy`s car.

Regards,

Dave