Unleashing the Beast: 9500-RPM V8 F1-Tuned Power in a 1M BMW
The Ultimate Dream: A 9,500-RPM V8 in a BMW 1 Series M
As a BMW enthusiast, you know the significance of the P65 V8 engine. For those who don’t, let me give you the lowdown. This incredible racing engine was heavily modified to create a 4.4-liter, dry sump oil system, and a more aggressive cam setup, making it a force to be reckoned with on the track. And, oh, does it sound epic!
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that a UK-based tuning shop was slapping one under the hood of a 2011 BMW 1 Series M. This wasn’t just any ordinary 1 Series M, though – it was the S65 engine, which was replaced by a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six in standard production models. But in this case, the P65 engine brought genuine motorsport DNA to the M division’s smallest car.
The Ultimate Upgrade: Evolve Automotive’s P65 S65 Engine Swap
Evolve Automotive, the same UK-based tuner behind the popular Eventuri carbon fiber air intakes, had already experimented with an S65 engine in its 1 Series M, replacing the original 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six. However, the P65 engine is the ultimate version, boasting enhanced motorsport internals and a host of other upgrades.
What’s Lost, What’s Gained?
While the P65 proved a formidable force on the track, its transition to a road car demanded some compromises. Evolve had to swap out the dry-sump oil system for a conventional wet-sump setup, replace the cams, and swap out the carbon fiber intake plenum for an Eventuri one. The ECU required modifications, too. However, the engine’s motorsport internals remained largely intact.
The End Result: A V8 with a 500-HP Punch
The question on everyone’s mind is how much of the P65’s original 500 horsepower (382 lb-ft of torque) will be retained in this road-going application. Fingers crossed, it can still rev nearly 9,500 rpm, as its exhaust sounds nothing short of sensational near its redline in racing trim.
A SNEAK PEAK at the Final Project
While this 1 Series M won’t see much track time, as it’s destined to become a show car at SEMA in November, it will visit Connecticut beforehand to undergo suspension enhancements from FCP Euro. We hope to see it hit the track after its US tour, as an M car with a racing engine truly deserves to be pushed to its limits.
A P65 First: The First P65 Swapped into a 1 Series M?
This might not be the world’s first-ever P65 swap, as online forums have documented a few P65 swaps already. However, it might be the first P65 swapped into a 1 Series M, making it a very exciting prospect indeed.
Get Ready for the Unforgettable Sound of 9,500 RPM
Watch the P65’s exhaust note in action below:
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This post originally appeared on The Drive.
