Cheap Swap/Crazy Swap: Citroen SM

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
07/06/2017 at 14:15 • Filed to: Cheap Swap/Crazy Swap, Citroen SM

Welcome again to Cheap Swap/Crazy Swap, where you choose what goes into the car! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is today’s candidate. Supply a reasonable engine or a ridiculous one, bonus points if you can provide links to the parts needed. Allons y!

From !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (paraphrased for brevity):

The Citroen SM was only sold briefly in the US, from 1971 to 1974. With variable-height suspension, variable-assist power steering, and a 90 degree V6 from Maserati, this was a cutting-edge vehicle at its release in 1970. It won various awards including Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award in 1972.

Rough interior, but LOOK AT THAT SHIFTER!

Now, while all those technological innovations may have yielded an amazing vehicle back in the early ‘70s, they all contribute to the SM being a horrible nightmare to maintain and find parts for today. This is a front-wheel-drive GT car with a top speed of 140 mph, designed and built by the French almost 50 years ago. It’s an complex vehicle that provides a complex challenge.

This SM is priced at $8950, but cheaper ones are out there too. With the desirable 5-speed manual, this one has lots of potential. Find an engine (and any other parts if you want to simplify the car) that’ll get the car on the road for cheap, and find an engine that gives this ambitious design the craziness it deserves.

DISCUSSION (15)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > way2blu does a rev update
07/06/2017 at 14:22

Cheap swap. GM 3800 V6. Add some modern air suspension so you can still lay it out.

Crazy swap. Nissan VR38DETT. How bad could it be to put that much power through the front wheels

way2blu does a rev update > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
07/06/2017 at 14:27

I see that you like 3.8 liter V6 engines...

Apparently , the SM’s steering system eliminated torque steer, so a 600-hp (just assuming Nismo state of tune) V-6 would be fine so long as you beef up the transmission and driveline to cope. Maybe.

djmt1 > way2blu does a rev update
07/06/2017 at 14:29

Cheap: Ford Duratec. The LS/JZ of European Restomods.

Crazy: Tesla Model S running gear. French luxobarges are great but are all pretty much ruined by the same thing. Smelly diesels that bring just a bit too much agriculture to the ears. Electric conversion fixes both of these and given that old Citroens are impossible to clamp or tow it would make a perfect city car.

fintail > way2blu does a rev update
07/06/2017 at 14:32

I bet that dash pad is easy to find.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > way2blu does a rev update
07/06/2017 at 14:32

Wanted to keep the original ‘DNA’ of the car with a V6. I also wanted engines that people were familiar with and would be pretty good for most situations.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > way2blu does a rev update
07/06/2017 at 14:37

Go electric with it. Smooth, linear, quiet power would match the car’s personality.

It’d also make running all the hydropnuematics easier.

way2blu does a rev update > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
07/06/2017 at 14:39

The V6 would probably fit best too. Plus the GM 3800s are everywhere and don’t weigh too much more than the original Maserati V6.

way2blu does a rev update > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
07/06/2017 at 14:43

That’d certainly make it a bit more reliable. I’d love to drive a running and reliable SM just to see the jaws drop at local car shows... Adding manual controls to the hydropneumatics would show the stancebros the true meaning of #hellaflush.

AuthiCooper1300 > way2blu does a rev update
07/06/2017 at 14:59

Apparently Maserati fitted a prototype V8 (4.0) to an SM which was used as a testbed.

The car was ultimately scrapped, but the engine survived and some magnificent lunatic has now reinstalled it in an SM.

kanadanmajava1 > way2blu does a rev update
07/06/2017 at 15:43

The SM engine is related to the (also notorious) Maserati Biturbo engine. One of those would probably bolt on to the original transmission. Finding a cheap donor Maserati should be possible it but would require some luck.

Crazy idea too? Modern 911 engine+transmission with a flipped up ring gear.

Cé hé sin > way2blu does a rev update
07/06/2017 at 15:52

Top tip:

If you want an SM, go and buy one in good condition. It’ll end up costing you less than this heap.

duurtlang > way2blu does a rev update
07/06/2017 at 15:55

You don’t need to add manual controls to the hydropneumatics. It already has them.

Clemsie McKenzie > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
07/07/2017 at 04:31

I dream of an electric DS!

pip bip - choose Corrour > way2blu does a rev update
07/07/2017 at 06:44

Ford ecoboost?

eurojulien > way2blu does a rev update
09/18/2018 at 15:27

I think no one is considering that this motor is counter rotation because of it’s layout /old thread