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The First M50 E-30 in Oz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So here it is!
As far as I know this was the first Vanos conversion to an E-30 in Australia.
If anyone had performed a similar
conversion around the time, e-mail me and let me know.
I am aware that Pete McHenry did these conversions in Winston-Salem NC in U.S.A.
I suspect that there weren't any here in Australia though. This car belonged to Brett.
The conversion was completed May 1999.

The engine was of course the much
acclaimed 2.5L 24 valve M50 Vanos.
It had done less than 20 000km
before it was purchased.
Standard power was 192hp.
The power was the same as a non vanos 2.5 M50, but the torque curve show’d more torque lower in the rev range.
Overtaking in 4th was a cinch. I couldn't see
this car towing a caravan though!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pic on the left shows the  modified  interior.
Racing seats with full
harness.
The seats didn't fold forward, so there wasn’t room for rear passengers.
The Momo Corse Suede wheel sat in front of
modified gauges (240kph).
This car achieved this speed easily while bouncing on the rev limiter in 5th gear!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left - The hand made extractors were 1 7/8th inch primaries running into a big bore dual 2 inch system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The M50 engine in this conversion had received extensive match porting and polishing.
The valves and camshafts were standard. Other modifications included a power chip, modified air flow meter, forced air
induction (not seen in the pics) and larger capacity sump.
(high flow airbox increasing pressure as speed increases).
The gearbox was standard Getrag but the lightened flywheel had a competition clutch mated to it.
The diff was a 3.91 ratio 5 series LSD with 75% locking factor.
Obviously there were many other modifications including
braking system, cross drilled ducted ventilated discs, racing suspension mods etc, but essentially the car was very easy to drive. The car was lightweight (approx 1100kg wet)
The combination was very balanced and the performance was fantastic!

UPDATE: The car was sold in 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Don't forget to E-Mail me
if you want to know more!.