BMW i8 Race Car Build

[Riaad]

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[Marco-Swanepoel]

So motor wise you're in for

Used S63TU - R200K (they are all advertised for more locally)
Build on the S63TU - R100-150K
Turbo upgrade - R200K (Weistec setup)
MOTEC - R90K

This is before you have fitted anything you're already past R600K

That is stuff you know the price of

Then there is:

Gearbox: a Hewland sequential box is around 25K GBP which is about R585K at current rates. It goes up from there...clutch, custom fabrication to get it to fit etc. No off the shelf gearbox from BMW is going to work (I don't think)... even then a DCT Box might be 100-150K and then you spend another 100K on clutch and basket upgrades and then another amount of money for a tunable controller of some kind. Even if you got one for half price, that is a chunk of change

The custom work on the aforementioned Subframes, drive shafts etc - that Alfa build is an example.

ALL the custom engineering work just getting it to fit - do you have someone who you would be able to get to take on work like this? Or can you perhaps do it yourself?

ALL the custom body work for the front and the back - I honestly wouldn't even know where to start in terms of getting this done in SA?

Suspension + wheels & tyres - gets VERY expensive for your kind of use case

Cooling?

Oil system?

Brakes (R40-50K front only is a starting point for things like AP Racing)

Tuning for engine and gearbox - no idea

Then the cost of the i8 itself - I dunno what that is, but even at R500K, I would be amazed if it still made sense. Then regarding balance, why do you feel this will be better than either the McLaren I posted or the Porsche GT3 RS (or hell GT2 RS if you have that desire for power) and spending time tuning it for your driving style and prepping for events.

I don't think using a V10 is going to be any different (if anything it would be more money). Using a 6 presents the same challenges especially getting it past 1000hp

I don't know what you could reclaim from sale of i8 parts.

I've done this exercise that's when I started moving towards the Radical as an donor with that option you already have everything you need you just need and if I really want to go bmw power I can just swop out the V6 for the S63tu 

This option I have 90% of the parts and fabrication done already 

My brother in law has an engineering shop and he has done an 800hp midmounted conversion with proper pushrod suspension, so the suspension won't be a big headache 

Looking at your parts list it takes me back to just buying an proper donor car it wil be much cheaper! 

Like this, then you can still sell the motor and buy the S63tu motor 
https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/112944/ultima-gtr-v8-70l

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

The amount of fabrication required is giving me anxiety lol, if you keen on going with this I would transplant an M50d engine into this thing, the 6 cylinder diesels are reliable as hell and with some software trickery, water meth and upgraded turbos 400wkw and over 1000nm of torque will shunt you through a hill climb very nicely and it will be super reliable

I have an X5 m50d what an beast, Gary from Greasemonkey fitted an m50d motor in his M2 what an monster!

 

[Kyle]

Not that I agree with the logic of destroying an EUR55k purpose built racecar just to have a quick i8, but why not just craft the tub onto the Ultima chassis then?

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

Not that I agree with the logic of destroying an EUR55k purpose built racecar just to have a quick i8, but why not just craft the tub onto the Ultima chassis then?

Basically that's what I have in mine it doesn't have to be an Ultima but, something in that direction it would just cut allot of cost and R&D

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

What I'm trying to establish is what is the correct BMW motor to use if I go that route?

S63tu or do I go V10 TT?

If I could buy the M5 at a good enough price it would make sense

 

[Nikhil]

What I'm trying to establish is what is the correct BMW motor to use if I go that route?

S63tu or do I go V10 TT?

If I could buy the M5 at a good enough price it would make sense

Are you dead set on a V configuration engine? I would go straight 6, N54 is also very good option  with unlimited tuning options and knowledge if not then definitely the S63. I wouldn't Turbo the V10 ess or gpower super charger kit for it definitely!

 

[VictorMike]

V-engine, hill climb monster, that you can daily? for less than 1.5 BAR?

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/mercedes-benz/c-class/c63/25234262

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/lamborghini/gallardo/lp520/25401370

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/audi/r8/5.2/25425137

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/audi/r8/5.2/25407992

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/mercedes-amg/gt/gt/25322472

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/nissan/gt-r/black/25265791

ALL THESE COME WITH THE ADDED ADVANTAGE OF NOT KILLING YOU IF YOU HIT A TREE!

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

The thing with the V is, it's much shorter than the straight I would like the see the length of an N54 compared to an S63tu

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

If I wanted an off the shelf race car I'd just buy one of these...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2590564347709360/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/256...5378587200973/?sale_post_id=10155378587200973

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

Both are great options when looking at an straigh 6 motor

And at the price it might be one of the best option!

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

Another great option 
https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/lotus/exige/1.8/25433771

Just my 2 cents.... I see a lot of great in-line race cars being sold and people moving to bigger V motors, so it just makes me think...... 

If you are going to start building something now that will only be completed in +- 2 years and then raced and developed for hopefully another 5 years you need to use a motor that is also still being development and I think the S54 or N54 motor has reached there peak and people are moving on.... 

So back to my choices it basically comes down to the S63tu because bmw does not have a V6 motor, the best V6 is by far the VR38 as it is an proven 2000hp race engine getting this motor to 1000hp is relatively cheap 

This is just my opinion

 

[individj]

doing hillclimbs in a twin turbo GT3 could also be lots of fun & competitive.

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

Honestly guys this is an BMW forum please stop suggesting other manufacturers cars!

 

[ChefDJ]

Yes guys, how dare you!

 

[VictorMike]

Ok. I got the perfect plan for you.

Buy a BMW radial, air-cooled airplane engine. Mount it horizontally directly over the rear wheels. you may need to sacrifice some body panels.

But on the bright side: no electronics, no cooling. Just loads of power, and the weight over the drive wheels will give you plenty grip.

Done and dusted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_801 1800hp out the box.

 

[individj]

Honestly guys this is an BMW forum please stop suggesting other manufacturers cars!

Na man im not 12...i can appreciate many brands. Some are better at certain things too.

 

[Kyle]

Honestly guys this is an BMW forum please stop suggesting other manufacturers cars!

Na man im not 12...i can appreciate many brands. Some are better at certain things too.

I think OP might be 12 though..

 

[Nick]

Honestly guys this is an BMW forum please stop suggesting other manufacturers cars!

ok.

Buy the e60 and boost it then.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

I'm just looking for the owner of this boosted E60