My motor went through an unfortunate bout of oil starvation and threw a con-rod bearing. A replacement engine is on its way but first the old one must come out...

Bumper cover removed. MFE will stay on, Bentley recommends just supporting it with a couple M8 x 100mm screws

Cam removed, to be sent out for a custom regrind- 264/272 (I/E)

Empty engine bay actually looks enormous now

This is the first engine swap I've attempted. The Bentley manual made this process extremely easy. However I'll admit the task looked daunting at first. With the engine out I figured it would be the perfect time to install a flywheel and clutch. As soon as they come in I will update this thread. After the cam is installed a set of 450cc injectors will be in order as well as a trip to the dyno

 

Good luck with everything!

 

Really interested in watching this thread. I assume you know this already... but you will not be able to run the car with 450's without a tune... I assume the trip to the dyno means a tune too. Also which clutch/flywheel did you decide on? and where did you get the engine from?

 

Fun fun...definitely do the clutch/flywheel when its out, so much easier!

 

I did end up putting an Exedy clutch/flywheel in, might as well. Yes Luseboy, I planned on putting the injectors in just before getting the tune done. Jan from RMW will be doing the tune when he comes to Eksten Autoworks next month.

As far as progress, I finished swapping all the accessories from motor to motor last night. Engine is now back in the MINI and all thats left is to bolt up the ex. manifold, various connectors and hoses and reinstall the axles. More pics to come!

 

just curious, why did you do a motor swap instead of rebuild?

 

This went by pretty quick haha. and here i am reading cam install how-to's, trying to convince myself that too much could go wrong and that I shouldn't save up for an RMW cam... Well I can't seem to talk myself out of it haha.

 

I decided to swap engines because I figured after removing the crank, having it measured and probably micropolished I would then need new rods/bearings. You can't replace rods without removing the head so theres a new gasket. No point in reusing the stock head bolts so I would have had to get some ARP studs. It would cost quite a good deal of cashola when all said and done.

I got a great deal on an engine with 47k miles and after doing the math it would have cost about the same either way, except now I have a block and head that I will be selling to Jan at RMW in exchange for a tune on the dyno and a set of injectors.

Last night I finished bolting up the MFE, bumper carrier and bumper cover. Also got the axles bolted in and transmission filled. Only thing left is to replace the outer tie rod ends that were damaged during the tear down.

And luseboy- after removing the cam I realized that the install would be a piece of cake. The only thing Bentley warns is to make sure that the crank does not turn while the cam sproket is unbolted- it could change your base timing and cause unnecessary headaches. However if you use the BMW cam locking tool that issue is moot.

 

Final update- Car is now running like a champ. This engine is so much smoother than the old unit, no timing chain tick at all! Word of the wise...when reinstalling the supercharger inlet horn make sure the rubber hose from the bypass valve is good and tight. On first startup there was a HUGE hissing sound coming from that area. Also, the idle was quite erratic and my exhaust manifold got red hot. Like an idiot I drove it anyway and subsequently toasted my O2 sensor. Vacuum leak was fixed and now the car is whisper quiet at idle.

 

Let this be a warning of the damage oil starvation can do. Pic below is of the rod bearings from my old motor.

Suffice it to say I will be checking my oil religiously from now on