When I was viewing the build gallery for this BMW Z4 project a few of the older photos seemed familiar. So I searched our articles and found this one from 2012 when the project had just started. Unfortunately I forgot to follow-up on the project’s progress but I am happy to see it turned out great.
The company responsible for building it was KERN Racing in Saarbrücken, Germany. They had a wild idea to take a BMW Z4 and install a 8.3 L V10 from a Dodge Ram SRT-10 truck. The engine produces 532 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The rest of the drivetrain consists of a T-56 six-speed manual transmission with a SPEC Stage 3 clutch and custom aluminum driveshaft.
To get the engine to fit the team had to cut and push back the firewall. They also built a custom oil pan that was 3.5 inches thinner than the factory unit and held eight liters of oil instead of six. Custom headers were built to fit the small engine bay and also allow the steering column to pass through. The transmission tunnel also had to be enlarged to fit the six-speed transmission.
Since the team pushed the engine further back the weight bias is 52% front and 48% rear with a total dry weight of 3,082 lb (1,398 kg). If you are interested in owning this wild coupe it is currently for sale on eBay with an asking price of €49,500 or about $55,652.
Source: BMW Z4 Viper FB page via ESD reader Ñathanael
I thought stuffing a Viper V10 in an Z4 ould be a very tight fit. But judging from these photos it fits nicely. I wonder what’s harder to fit into Z4, M5 V10 or Viper V10.
Good question since they have both been done. This project did have the firewall and tunnel cut. It is hard to tell from the angle but it doesn’t appear they have too much more room forward between the engine accessories and the bottom of the radiator.
I understand, but considering that biggest engine Z4 came with from the factory was 3.2 inline 6 it isn’t that bad.
Remember, push-rod engines are relatively compact.
Too bad the V-12. Corvette. Prototype. We fabricated. About 189 never made it to production. It was AMAZING! !
Are you talking about the Corvette ZR-12 http://www.corvetteonline.com/features/car-features/falconer-zr-12-the-viper-fighter-corvette-that-never-was/