E30 Zone

I am looking for an e30 touring, preferably with a IS conversion.

But if i cant find a decent one i was wondering how much am I looking for a conversion including parts? Also is there someone close to birmingham who can do it?

What's the difference between a e36 is and an e30 is???

Wouldn't have thought it'd be a popular conversion on a touring, most go 2.5 as they came with bigger brakes and struts as standard.

Probably looking at around £500 for the conversion?

E36 IS engine is newer and bit more powerful I think.

Why not go 2.5?

I have an is converted touring, can`t help with the conversion side of things as I bought mine previously converted.
However its a great all round car, practical, good MPG(unlike my old 325) and higher up the rev range is a pretty quick little car!
All the best with the search.

this is exactly why i want this combination, best all round car. Quick enough, reasonably good on fuel, also roomy & practical. It aint exactly going to drop in value either.

AG51BYE, do you know what gearbox you are using?

TPS converted his touring to IS recently, send him a PM

cool thanks

I believe it's still on its 1.6 box and diff, not the best combo as it redlines at 120mph and sits at 4k revs at 80mph, so not great for motorways, but I rarely use them.
I have a 4:1 diff ready to fit, so hopefully it will be a better match.

I converted my touring to an IS engine and would recommend it. Obviously its not as quick as a 2.5, but mines a daily drive so economy is important too, and its loads better than a tapping 8 valve 1.6/1.8.

I used the original (318i) gearbox with E30 IS (M42) engine complete(loom/ecu/exhaust manifold and exhaust system etc) Its all "plug and play" to fit.

Cant really give you an idea on price to convert as I do all my own work.

E36 1.8 IS (M42) engine (block/head) is basically the same but wrong sump/exhaust manifold/loom so would need to swap those bits and possibly more for E30 IS bits before fitting.

Hope this helps.

mostly covered in the stickies here:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... forum&f=57

Tourings came with 51mm struts and vented discs as standard.

78gizmo wrote:I converted my touring to an IS engine and would recommend it. Obviously its not as quick as a 2.5, but mines a daily drive so economy is important too, and its loads better than a tapping 8 valve 1.6/1.8.

I used the original (318i) gearbox with E30 IS (M42) engine complete(loom/ecu/exhaust manifold and exhaust system etc) Its all "plug and play" to fit.

Cant really give you an idea on price to convert as I do all my own work.

E36 1.8 IS (M42) engine (block/head) is basically the same but wrong sump/exhaust manifold/loom so would need to swap those bits and possibly more for E30 IS bits before fitting.

Hope this helps.

+1, I did the same to my Touring, its brillant, more go & better MPG, can't recommend it enough.

are the 316i & 318i all 1.8 engines? I've seen a 316i lux I might view.

No, the M40 engined 316i is a 1.6 and the 318i a 1.8.
The 316i lux touring will be fine to convert with an M42 engine. The engine isn't an issue as long as the bodywork is good.

I think the 16v conversion makes quite a bit of sense so is getting more popular... I'm about to convert my touring

As above, if the body is good, doesn't really matter what engine it's got.

If you need any parts for the conversion i have a 318is box, prop, engine loom and ecu (no engine) done 107,000 miles

Thanks nitro, the hunt continues. Would rather find one already done but if not i might do it myself

I have been thinking about the possibility of sticking a different engine in my touring. All i want is a good MPG and a bit more power than what im getting out of the m40b18 its got in at the min.

What are you guys running the M42 getting MPG wise?

If i buy one from an e36, will the e36 gearbox work?

Not sure if I am totally confused by this thread, but seriously you want to put a 318is engine in a touring??

I do not see the appeal as the touring is not a light car to start with and the 318is is not a good swap, you need more power to make that touring feel enjoyable.

F17RAK wrote:If i buy one from an e36, will the e36 gearbox work?

Look in the M42/M40 conversion pages, it's all been asked and answered before!!

F17RAK wrote:If i buy one from an e36, will the e36 gearbox work?

Yes it will but, you will also need to change the diff for one with a ratio to suit the E36 box - you can't fit the E36 diff. I'm not sure what prop would work.

If you get an M40d touring, you'd be better off using the M40 gearbox that's already fitted.

If you use an E36 M42, most will advise to get the E30 M42 inlet, loom, ECU etc etc, if you can find them. Personally, I would use the E36 lump complete, its not totally straightforward as you need to mod the wiring loom to fit the E30, but its no more work than having to find an E30 loom and inlet etc and then swap it all over - just depends on how confident you are with a soldering iron.
You will need to change the sump for an E30 one, but a 316i touring will have the sump ready to swap over.


Buying a ready built conversion can cause issues. In E30 engine swap terms, an M42 swap is no more complicated than pulling your socks on in the morning, but some idiots will still manage to make a complete hash up of it.
Unless the swap has been documented well, I'd be more inclined to DIY it, that way you know the conversion has been done well and isn't some cobbled together turd that will cost to put right.

Yeah i think you should do the conversion yourself then you can buy my loom and ecu etc

Thanks jmc, i think i got it now

Fastroad i don't see what your confused about, three people on this thread alone recommend the conversion & the advantages have been stated.

So to answer your question, yes i seriously want to put a is engine in a touring

F17RAK wrote:Fastroad i don't see what your confused about, three people on this thread alone recommend the conversion & the advantages have been stated.

So to answer your question, yes i seriously want to put a is engine in a touring

My bad should have read the economy part first

Jamie (Jam172) "iS'd" the Touring he bought from me, too

all 4-pot tourings should be m42 powered ,i'd argue the same about the 320i touring also but that has a soundtrack innit

I went to see a 316i touring today, gotta say it didnt feel tight & boy i dont think i have driven a slower car

318 has got to be a bit better

318 has got to be a bit better

F17RAK wrote:318 has got to be a bit better

Not much in it.
Doesn't really matter if you're swapping an M42 in. Bodywork is what counts.

Just adding my bit. I think the M42 is a very good lump, it is pretty quick when on the boil, has enough torque to get about in town and the mpg puts the m20 2.5 to shame big time, even when thrashing the life from it it returns good economy........But! Check the cam gear/timing chain, it's a very expensive job!
Timing chain issues aside i believe it's the best all round standard e30 lump (only my worthless opinion)

In fact I like the m42 so much I'm having it ripped out of my e30 next week!

I really enjoyed my M42'd touring as well, couldn't not recommend it!