ALPINA A-Motronic for BMW ALPINA B7 S Turbo E12 and E24

In 1978, ALPINA produced a groundbreaking automobile - the B7 Turbo of the E12 and E24 model generations. With the even more powerful B7 S Turbo models launched in 1981, Bovensiepen underlined its expertise in high-performance automobiles. Packed with revolutionary technology for the era, such as a computer-controlled ignition and the PIERBURG DL injection system, the E12 became the fastest production saloon in the world. The PIERBURG DL system, a mechanical injection system, works according to the principle of air mass measurement and continuously injects a carefully measured amount of fuel into the intake manifold. The injection is controlled via a spatial cam; the controlled variables are the air quantity and the intake manifold vacuum.

Unfortunately, 46 years after its first introduction, this injection system has become susceptible to causing problems or even failure. Due to changing gasoline qualities, a long period of inactivity and, above all the unavailabilty of spare parts, maintaining the original PIERBURG DL system is becoming increasingly difficult and time-consuming. ALPINA has developed and engineered a complex replacement solution for owners of these rare and now very valuable vehicles - the ALPINA A-Motronic.

The function and usability of the vehicle, even after long periods of inactivity, is ensured by the electronically controlled ALPINA injection and ignition. Furthermore, the new injection system does not significantly change the original appearance of the engine compartment – quite a feat and a prerequisite for receiving the H license plate in Germany.

A replica of the PIERBURG DL injection system acts as a fuel pressure accumulator in the ALPINA A-Motronic system. The electrically controlled injection valves are supplied via original fuel lines. The mechanical fuel pump and the cold start valve are no longer required. The fuel enrichment required for cold-start is carried out by the new engine electronics. The additional air valve is replaced by an idle control valve. The additional temperature sensor for recording the coolant temperature for the engine control is located in the thermostat housing. The mechanically vulnerable ignition distributor is no longer required. Instead, the space gained is used to accommodate the phase encoder - housed in the stylish, CNC-milled ALPINA cover. The signal generator for the phase generator replaces the distributor finger. The use of a Hall sensor enables fully sequential injection and semi-sequential ignition. A fully active 3x2 ignition coil ensures that the mixture ignites safely even under the toughest operating conditions, which, like all other installed actuators and sensors, also meets the strictest automotive standards.

Scope of functions of the ALPINA A-Motronic:

- Start and after start compensation
- Warm-up compensation (fuel enrichment depending on engine temperature)
- Idle control via idle control valve (idle speed dependent on engine temperature)
- Lambda control with long-term adaptation over the entire map range
- Fuel cut-off active
- Speed limitation
- Overspeed detection
- Turbocharger and engine protection by monitoring boost pressure

The ALPINA A-Motronic provides significant improvements compared to the mechanical DL injection system. Among other things, the prototype demonstrated better operational reliability of the system at full load and optimization of starting behaviour.

The ALPINA A-Motronic is intended as a direct replacement for an existing PIERBURG DL system. The adaptation of the original basic ignition mapping, which was determined and analysed using cylinder pressure measurements on the ALPINA engine test bench facilities, ensures the highest operational reliability of the engine. By retaining the original ignition and boost pressure parameters, the performance of the drive is fully maintained. The ALPINA A-Motronic was developed on the in-house BMW ALPINA B7 S Turbo (E12). The functionality of the ALPINA A-Motronic was tested under the tough motorsport conditions, not least at the ALPNA press event in Zandvoort in 2023. The installation of the system on a first customer vehicle, a BMW ALPINA B7 S Turbo (E24), has already been successfully completed. The positive feedback from the customer motivates us to be able to offer this system in a small series to other owners of these vehicle types (A solution for the B7 Turbo models is being worked on).

If you are interested, please contact our parts service (export@remove-this.alpina.de)!

The installation of the ALPINA A-Motronic including technical acceptance of the conversion into the vehicle documents only takes place in Buchloe. A check of the engine condition and, if necessary, an engine overhaul is mandatory.

The scope of parts includes:

- 1 x Ignition module
- 1 x Engine control unit
- 1 x Hall sensor for the camshaft
- 1 x Throttle valve angle sensor
- 1 x 3x2 stationary ignition voltage distribution
- 1 x Intake Pipe Pressure Sensor
- 1 x Lambda sensor
- 1 x Sensor for: engine temperature and intake air temperature
- 1 x Idle control valve
- 1 x Pulse generator (crankshaft sensor) with sensor wheel
- 1 x Fuel pressure accumulator with pressure sensor in PIERBURG-DL look including intake hose
- 1 x Set of electric fuel injectors
- 1 x Aluminum intake manifold
- 1 x Milled NW housing cover
- 1 x engine wiring harness
- 1 x Ignition wiring harness
- holder, hoses, small parts

The ALPINA A-Motronic costs €19,900, which includes installation and 19% VAT. However, there is an additional cost for a preliminary vehicle check, which takes approximately 0.5 days and is billed separately.