Hi Mcramsay
There should be a government health warning about using newer engine BMW's! - due to the EWS (engine immobiliser system).
Up to and including the M52 with the single Vanos you will be OK, (it is the last of the BMW EWS systems that have been disarmed successfully). There are specialists who will carry out an EWS delete on the M52's ECU.
Post M52 ie M52TU (Technical upgrade, which has the Dual Vanos) and onwards, you will need to use the entire BMW loom, which I beleive includes the binnacle as well. The door keys, ignition switch, and even binnacle all "talk" to the ECU, and if they are not present, the ECU will stop playing ball after 50 starts, and that's the end of your drivable engine! Timbo has not been as forthright in his comments as he should have been - he has an M52 TU and can not use it due to EWS problems!
The M3 has been installed in a Marlin Sportster, by at least two builders though I'm not sure which version they were.
The above Sportster with M3 engine was built by John Clements - is this an EVO 3.2?
Rob Nicol (Bobnic) has just put his through IVA in the last few weeks, so he would be a good point to start your enquiries.
(Unfortunately Rob has not posted pictures of his build - come on Rob, you keep promising photos!) - there's one of his car on the Marlin Owners Club site.
(Why doesn't the photo appear here?)
This is not meant to put you off, quite the reverse, its to steer you in the right direction - I strongly advise you to research your BMW engines thoroughly regarding EWS before you choose which one to go with, rather than afterwards when you find it will not run!
Good luck, and let us all know how you get on.
PS
Have you checked Marlin are still taking orders for the Sportster?
(Make sure you get a written commitment that they will supply a complete kit in a given time frame before you part with a deposit).
Mike
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcramsay
i am looking to purchase a marlin sportster kit car in the next few weeks, so im trying to get some basic info on how the builds go, are there any known IVA issues with the sportster?
also i want to use the BMW m3 Lump, but when looking on ebay it seems there are loads of different variations, i want the 3.2 Evo engine, is this the e36 M3 engine i should be looking for? i was planning on using an emerald ECU however it seems the BMW engine uses there VANOS system, which is controlled by its own trickery, i expect this means that i will need the engine loom, ECU, and key and transponder is there any thing else along with the above that i will need? finally are there any wiring diagrams online that help with merging the engine loom to the car loom?
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