| BMW V12 with a TH425 [was: Cadillac 500?] [message #156790] |
Sun, 15 January 2012 12:03  |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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I figure that many had gotten tired of the "mine's better than your's" discussion in the thread "Cadillac 500?" and stopped reading that thread.
But something interesting showed up. A V-12 BMW motor mated with a TH425 transmission. Granted it isn't a motorhome, but it shows some ideas that MIGHT stir up a thought or two that MIGHT apply to our coaches.
So I put it in a new thread.
Carl P. (aka: "noi") posted a link to this picture:
<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=42255>
Of course Robert Mueller had to ask him about it.
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From: noi
Rob,
I find “googling” harebrained ideas a form of relaxation  – Other than coming across this:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/107913-5.html
Is about all I know of it!
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Carl,
Thanks for the link! I reviewed all 5 pages of this post and this guy is seriously talented! A problem installing this engine in a
GMC would be having to install the spacer between the final drive and the transmission, I made the assumption that he did this to
allow the drive shaft to clear the engine mains. The spacer causes the engine and transmission assembly to move rearwards and in a
GMC it would hit the cockpit steps. Obviously you could "fix" that.
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I finally got to read the posts a little more. (The first time through I mostly looked at the pictures.)
Seems he has "flipped" something in the final drive so the axles are "reverse" rotation. The engine/transmission package is to be installed with the transmission forward of the engine. IE: the belts and pulleys toward the rear of the car.
Set up this way, this engine/transmission MIGHT fit into a GMC, lining up the axles with the hubs AND clear the steps. But with the motor installed "backwards" the piping for the coolant would be ..."interesting." It would also need an electric radiator fan.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] BMW V12 with a TH425 [was: Cadillac 500?] [message #156983 is a reply to message #156979] |
Mon, 16 January 2012 17:55  |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| mannystrans wrote on Sun, 15 January 2012 10:31 |
Mike,
That is not a th425, its a th325. ...
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Yes. I DID read that and did know it... I was just typing just before bed after a 12 hour shift. (Not really an excuse...)
He did mention the th425, saying that flipping the final drive is harder on a th425 than a th325 due to the length of the shaft... but then he needed to space the final drive out a little anyway.
Another post about a similar project mentions that the th325-4L makes the engine/transmission package slightly longer. And on this project he was bumping into the seats already.
If you have enough torque, you do not need gears... 
| Johnny Bridges wrote on Mon, 16 January 2012 15:28 |
The 325-4L is not robust enough to put in a GMC?
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Correct.
I understand the th325 was developed from a lighter transmission (TH200(?)) and was for cars about 2500lb. The th425, based on a heaver transmission, was designed for 4000lb cars and trucks.
The th325 of any flavor would not last long pulling 12,000lbs.
The power train size and shape provided by the th325/th425 transmissions is rather unique and fits well in many interesting applications. To bad there isn't anything stronger and more modern that fits in the same place.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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