1975 BMW 530i - Organ Transplant

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1975 BMW 530i - Organ Transplant

Don't turn the page yet! You might be thinking to yourself what an asshole this guy is for putting a Chevy motor in a BMW, but let's look at the details.
First, this '75 530i originally came with a 3.0 straight six, capable of 176hp. Second, the E12 (1972-81) chassis was the first 5-Series, so its technology is undeniably primitive today. Third, a rebuilt 7.0 aluminum-block V8 is smaller and lighter, and makes triple the power of the 33 year-old factory motor. Considering these factors, perhaps Joe Cain's Frankenstein creation makes more sense.
"For as long as I can remember, I've been interested in cars," Joe began. "My brother was into it and got me hooked. I inherited some hand-me-down cars and started messing with them. As far as motor swaps are concerned, I've always done them. I even did a Jaguar XKE with a small-block before this project."
So when Joe went to work on this tired 5er, he naturally decided on a V8 rather than the expensive option of rebuilding the original motor. The organ donor was a sprint car - those funny-looking open-wheel cars with enormous spoilers that race on short ovals.
Joe continued his story. "Steve Kinser is the most successful sprint racer out there. He gets his motors from Donovan Engineering in Torrance, CA and at the end of each season, they give him a new motor and he sells the old one. I got one of his old motors and converted it from alcohol to gas."
New JE pistons, a forged stroker crank and Cosworth rods ensured a stronger motor, which he sealed with 220cc AFR ported heads and an Ultradyne hydraulic roller cam. Feeding the 11.3:1 high compression motor is a Victor Jr intake manifold and Demon 850cfm carb. It's all cooled by a CSR electric water pump.
With the motor complete, Joe hoisted his creation into the engine bay and discovered the car was 0.5" higher at the front. "A cast iron small-block is close to the weight of the original motor," he explained. "But this is a much lighter aluminum block. It's also shorter, so I moved it back for better weight distribution."
Surprisingly the original front motor mounts remain intact, and he built a bracket so the Chevy mounts could be adapted to fit. "Anybody can get in there with a hacksaw, but its more challenging to make it removable. I could refit the original motor if I had to..."
When the motor was finally installed, it dynoed at 543hp. And to put it to the ground, Joe opted for a Tremec five-speed manual with aluminum flywheel and Centerforce clutch. "Tremecs are intended for GM cars and look identical to the factory tranny," Joe elaborated. "However, they're upgraded for people who want a factory five-speed but don't like the ratios. It's nice for people who are pushing more power."
You might imagine the hardest part of the project was now over. "I spent more time on the rear suspension than on the motor," he revealed. "At the time, I couldn't find an inexpensive M5 diff that had the ratio I wanted. However, the Jaguar diff was strong enough but I had to make an adapter cage for it - the center section bolts right in. Then I welded the cage to the subframe so the diff can be unbolted."
The rear diff featured a 3.54:1 gear ratio with 80% limited-slip. Joe also fabricated shorter, stronger axles, heat-treated the stub axles and swing arms, before upgrading both sway bars. Custom-valved Bilstein coilovers give Joe the adjustability he wanted for track events.
Other highlights on Joe's chassis include custom aluminum hubs and a power steering rack from a European E21 3-Series. He admits he didn't need to do the swap, but making space for a suitable exhaust meant he had to relocate the brake booster and rack. "With the modifications done, there's actually room for a big-block Chevy!"
"I also own a Porsche 928 S4," he told us. "And sometimes I use the 5-Series as a guinea pig before I put stuff into the 928, since they have similar weight distribution. And since I was happy with the Porsche brakes, I decided to use them on the Bimmer."
The front rotors are a massive 14" while the rears are 13.5". Porsche 993 Turbo calipers were then used, along with the 928 master cylinder, reservoir and brake proportioning valve.
It's taken Joe over two years to reach this stage as he works between the BMW and his Porsche. But he reassured us the 5er will remain a work in progress: "It's a rolling lab," he said. "It's not intended to be a showpiece, but to show what happens if you combine these parts."
The 570i only has 60 miles on the new motor but the owner intends to use it for club racing events this year. He's even considering the big block swap for more muscle. So whether you think Joe's BMW is sacrilegious or stupendous, his workmanship and ambition deserve respect from both Euro and domestic enthusiasts.
Tech Spec
1975 BMW 530i
Owner: Joe Cain
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Occupation: plant manager, knee brace manufacturers
Engine: seven liter Donovan Engineering aluminum stroker small-block V8, 11.3:1 compressionJE pistons, LA Billet 4" forged crank, Cosworth Engineering 5.85" rods, Dan Olsen oil pan and windage kit, AFR/Brownfield 220cc heads with spread-port exhaust, Ultradyne hydraulic roller cam and rev kit, SS roller rockers 1.6 ratio with stud girdle, MSD ignition, Victor Jr intake with Demon 850cfm carb, 2.5" stainless mandrel exhaust with bent x-pipe, '79 BMW side-fill gas tank grafted to MGB center-mount tank, Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump, regulator and four filters, upgraded supply and return lines, Ron Davis aluminum radiator with twin electric fans, carbon fiber duct in air dam, CSR Performance electric water pump, reverse-flow cooling system, crankcase evacuation system with reversed BMW E46 electric air injection pump, Mann-Hummel oil and air separator filter, MSD RPM sensor, adjustable FPR
Drivetrain: Tremec TKO-500 five-speed manual with aluminum flywheel, 11" Centerforce clutch
Suspension: front: upper and lower camber adjustment points, sealed roller bearing on inner lower control arms, urethane lower outer control arm bushings, sealed roller bearing on the front thrust rod to subframe mounting point, 27mm adjustable sway bar, shortened and relocated, G&B springs, custom Bilstein shocks with threaded collars, custom aluminum hubs, European E21 323i power rack and pinion conversion, bump-steer kit.
Rear: Jaguar Series 1 XKE Dana 44 diff with 3.54:1 final drive, 80% limited-slip diff, chromoly adapters, Jaguar stub axles, shortened and thicker steel axles, heat-treated stub axles and swing arms, camber and toe adjustable swing arms, 21mm adjustable sway bar, shortened and relocated, G&B springs, Bilstein shocks with ride height adjustment, notched trailing arms, inboard brake rotors for e-brake
Brakes: 14" front, 13.5" rear Coleman two-piece rotors with aluminum hats, Porsche 993 Turbo calipers, modified rotor radius, BMW 3.0 CS brake booster, Porsche 928 S4 master cylinder and reservoir, Porsche 928 S4 55bar proportioning valve, braided lines
Wheels & Tires: 17x8" front, 17x9" rear Alpina wheels with 225/45-17 front and 255/40-17 rear Falken FK-451 tires
Exterior: Mercedes metallic blue paint, Euro bumpers, spoilers and mirrors, shaved side markers
Interior: stock
Thanks: Bob McKray Performance

Photo Gallery: 1975 BMW 530i - Organ Transplant - Eurotuner Magazine

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