Belly of the Beast: Alpina B8 (E36) Engine and Undercarriage

A quick look at the engine bay and undercarriage of my Alpina B8 4.6 Touring (E36)
Alpina claims 42 modifications to the body to make the M60 based engine fit. This includes some changes to the body, but most are bespoke brackets, clips, and mounts.
I haven't been able to track down all 42, but here is a going list along with part numbers:
Steering linkage 3231113
Steering column holder 3231102
Cooling coil holder 3433127
Hydraulic reservoir holder 3210112
Rear subframe mount 41002256495
Rear subframe mount 41002256496
Rear subframe mount 41002256497
Rear subframe mount 41002256498
Rear subframe from M3 33312228180
Rear trailing arm from M3 33322227985
Rear trailing arm from M3 33322227986
Rear axle from M3 33212228513 x2
Rear differential 3310136
ABS pump holder 3433118
Pressure accumulator holder 3433115
Pressure accumulator and horn holder 3433116
Pressure accumulator holder 3433120
ABS computer holder 3433123
Controller holder 3433117
Cruise control holder 6571102
Airbox holder 1370151 x2
Transmission cross member 2310122
Shift arm 2310124
Drive shaft 2610144
Left engine subframe mount 1181133
Left engine mount 1181131
Right engine mount 1181132

[@kujtek]

finally someone with more than just wikipedia knowledge

[@writeStevie]

Compliments to the guys that reshelled it. They did their job very well!

[@doctor_tran]

They did, but if I were to do it, I would have done it a little differently. I totally understand though since a business won't be around if they spend hours just making sure every wire is routed exactly the same as the factory. I had to re-do some of the wiring under the carpet to make it perfect :-)

[@dekabwerks]

Thanks for showing thje details.

[@markwgoldsmith]

Great video, thank you. I suspect when they total 42 modifications they're including removing some brackets, as well as the added ones? For example, the 6 cylinders have the air filter on the opposite side of the bay, & the washer bottle where the B8 filter housing is, I would imagine some brackets were in the way of the B8 parts.

[@doctor_tran]

Great point! Removals would definitely further inflate the numbers.

[@MillB8]

Nice! it looks like the previous owner retrofitted the M3 oilcooler kit with the custom oil lines. I got the same kit installed in my Coupe.

[@MillB8]

..and I also have the same custom sway bar installed. In the rear it has the adjustable ACS Schnitzer Sway bar for the M3. I have the X-Brace installed, It adds a bit more protection to the precious Alpina oil pan and stiffens the front end.

[@doctor_tran]

I recently installed the X-brace and the difference is very noticeable! So much so that I can now isolate by feel which part of my front suspension is wearing out first (it's the offset lower control arm bushings).

[@robvermeulen4043]

Thanks voor the update on this great car, please more videos

[@jasonlouis5498]

The vibration damper came on my 1995 318i sedan with the auto trans and 4.44 open diff. I don’t know what the criteria for including it was. I’ve also seen that black middle exhaust/heat shield bracket with mounts for small exhaust hangers. Some don’t have then. Maybe a 4 vs 6 cylinder exhaust thing. The steering column is interesting, most LS swap headers put the column through the headers as well. So much nuance to the different models and years for the e36. This is the pinnacle IMO. I learn something new about them every day. Thank you for this.

[@doctor_tran]

Interesting. I wonder if it's included in applications where engine or drivetrain smoothness benefits (4 cylinder versus 6 cylinder or open diff versus LSD, etc).

[@EarlLeeBird]

Another great review video. Thanks 👍

[@Euphorica]

Great content!

[@georgimihalkov4781]

I'm really looking forward to your updates on the Alpinas! Does the B8 use the same limited slip differential as the one in the E36 M3?

[@doctor_tran]

I believe it's the same case, but ratios and setup is Alpina spec. It has a BMW part number but it doesn't cross reference with any other BMW model.

[@automarkt147]

Great video thanks ! Is the waterpump-driven fan supposed to be engaged all the time like it seems to be at the beginning of the video when you rev it up ?

[@automarkt147]

And at the end as well

[@dokterkarel]

it's probably worn/locked

[@doctor_tran]

yeah, It'll probably be one of the things I replace once I start taking it apart in a few weeks. I think the sensor for triggering the aux fan is also off since it seems to turn on at low temps.

[@itsonfire69]

Will the check control give you a warning if the differential fluid gets too hot?

[@doctor_tran]

It will not. I was hammering my B8 in the canyons for 2 hours and it only got up to about 70C. On my B3, it'll get up to 90C in the same conditions.

[@dannyperez2k11]

I've heard parts for these are not easy to get unless you own one. How true is this?

[@doctor_tran]

Correct but there are always ways. Collectors have hoarded a lot of parts due to this fear, but some things are standard or modified BMW parts.

[@dannyperez2k11]

@@doctor_tran Thanks. How could I go about getting a front anti roll bar? I've converted my E36 with a m62tub44.

[@doctor_tran]

@@dannyperez2k11 Front bar is 24mm made by Eibach. You may be able to buy a non-Alpina branded one from Eibach or another vendor that makes a 24mm sway bar. Rear bar is a 15mm, but a lot of owners upgrade to a larger 18mm bar.

[@binhdabartender]

did u dry iced this engine bay?

[@doctor_tran]

The engine bay and undercarriage was dry ice cleaned, but not by me. I had a professional do it.

[@omarreco7422]

Sell me your car please