1985 320i convertion

[seanEE]

Hi I'm new to the form i'm looking at a 320i 4 door non runner for a project
i don't think i could afford the fuel for a 320i sow i think
il either go lpg or diesel i was thinking of putting a m47 "the 320D one" in it but i think there to complicated eclectically?
then i thort about a m41 but there very slow
now i'am thinking lpg if you could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated

[Speedtouch]

Welcome to the Zone! A 320i will typically return around 26 mpg average, so they're not that bad, driven sensibly.

However, Brianmoooore on here is the chap to speak to regarding LPG:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... hlight=lpg

[pacerpete]

As you are looking at a non running 320 four door, I assume you are financially challenged. If so, save your money and look for a running example. You could spend thousands on a rough old four door and it will still only be of interest to those who speak Mandarin

[anothere21323i]

As you are looking at a non running 320 four door, I assume you are financially challenged. If so, save your money and look for a running example. You could spend thousands on a rough old four door and it will still only be of interest to those who speak Mandarin

A contender for Zone Gold I think - well done young Peter!

[seanEE]

Thanks for the reples guys i'm not driving yet. the non runner i hop to get under 400 it's a bit tatty but for that price i think i would learn a bit in the proses of doing it up or at the least use it for parts. over hear fuel prices are mad thats why i was thinking lpg or diesel but i can't find out how Meany mpg? an lpg m20 wold get

[Brianmoooore]

A litre of petrol weighs just over 30% less than a litre of LPG, so that implies you will get 30% less MPG, but, because LPG burns much more efficiently in an engine than petrol, the actual reduction in MPG will be around 20%.
Fitting a venturi type LPG system to an E30 is a relatively simple DIY job that can be done in stages, so that you don't have to take the car off the road for more than a few hours at a time.
Using new parts, the cost in the UK would be around £700, but there are plenty of second hand parts around, especially tanks, allowing the job to be done for £200 - £300 or so.

[andyp]

I know of an lpg kit that is cheap if you want one

[Nobby_N]

Dont pay £400 unless its rust free, If your not driving yet im guessing your young numb and full of c..m so check the insurance before doing anything as 320i is not ganna be cheap!

PS only 4 door E30 worth having is a Touring!

[seanEE]

is there any thing i could read on lpg do you still need to start on petrol cruse on gas then switch back to petrol in a jam

regarding insuance as far as i can see I'm scruwed no mater what i drive until 25

[Gert_8]

As you are looking at a non running 320 four door, I assume you are financially challenged. If so, save your money and look for a running example. You could spend thousands on a rough old four door and it will still only be of interest to those who speak Mandarin

[Brianmoooore]

then switch back to petrol in a jam

Well, that's a new one on me! Why on earth would you need to switch back to petrol in a jam????
It is normal to start on petrol (from cold only) for two reasons: Firstly, it will start much more quickly on petrol, since petrol is squirted almost directly into the cylinders, while LPG needs to be sucked along the considerable length of the inlet tract.
Secondly, liquid propane needs a considerable amount of energy to turn it into a gas. This energy is normally obtained in the form of heat from the car's coolant, but on start up from cold there might not be enough energy available to vaporise sufficient LPG for the engine if much power is called for.
In practice, as long as you don't work the engine any harder than you should be working a cold engine anyway, if the ambient temperature is over about eighteen degrees, then you can switch to LPG as soon as the engine starts, and can switch after half a mile in any temperature you're likely to find inj the UK.

[Jona1971]

I run an lpg system on a 318i, it works out at 13.6p per mile, £55 gets over 400 miles. Just uses petrol to warm up then automatically goes onto gas.

Its a Stag 300-ISA I think. Chaps at www.lpgshop.co.uk are very helpful and can supply kits. You can change the kits to what you want.

Second hand stuff is cheap and they can top you up with missing parts to complete your setup.

Hope this helps,

[seanEE]

i don't no it was one of the complaints some one how had it 20 or 30 years ago told me about
so theirs no messing with a switch all the time also where do you get it
just to consider my options are there any good diesels is the m47 really that hard to wire up could i not replace the hole loom from the doner car i kind of like the idea of 160bhp and no tank in the boot

[age]

theres no front bowled sump for the m47 so you would be looking at a 3 litre m57 ot a 2.5 m51. the latter being no better on fuel than a 318i

[Brianmoooore]

Its a Stag 300-ISA I think. Chaps at www.lpgshop.co.uk are very helpful and can supply kits.

That's a vapour injection kit, which is frankly a bit OTT for a simple engine like a M20, running an even simpler management system with no feedback system to correct mixture strength.
A simple venturi based system with a lambda sensor controlled stepper motor is more than adequate for an E30 320, and far more DIY friendly.

[seanEE]

is there any where i could find out what gos with what for instance "i no allot of you will laugh at this"
but they have similar names putting the sump from a m41 on a m47

also dose it have to be a carburetor engine for venturi to work?

[Brianmoooore]

also dose it have to be a carburetor engine for venturi to work?

Definitely not. The petrol injectors are disabled by turning off their 12 volts power feed (E30 ECU is too dumb to notice or complain about this), and a purpose made venturi is added at the outlet of the air filter/AFM box. Because propane (a gas) is a far more suitable fuel for a spark engine than petrol (a liquid that has to made to imitate a gas to work in an engine, a simple venturi ring, with holes drilled at the narrowest part to let the gas in, is all that's required.
http://www.tinleytech.co.uk , search for "BMW mixer", 3rd item.

[milescook]

Crikey... sorry to jijack the OP but browsing that site I'm amazed you can use LPG to supplement diesel engines (different to petrol but still useful).... every day's a school day.

Mr Moore your exact link is knackered I'm afraid.

[Brianmoooore]

Link sorted! Yes, you can use LPG to "fumigate" diseasal engines, as a way to get more power, rather than to save more than a small amount of fuel cost, although it also makes the filthy things somewhat cleaner. The propane is ignited by the burning diesel.

[Topblag]

This thread has missed a very important point, and I'm surprised some of our more learned senior members have not addressed it. A m20b20 is a waste of a time, money and a sump that'll fit a 325i.

[seanEE]

hears an other question can i install the power assisted steering from a e36 on a e30 and should I ?
would lpg on a diesel be like nitro

[Brianmoooore]

You can fit a rack from an E36 (E46 preferred option these days) along with E30 and fabricated parts for the rest of the system.
LPG on a diesel is more likely to be like nitro as in nitroglycerine rather than nitrous oxide. The technology is a bit experimental still.

[seanEE]

holy crap when i'm 25 i can insure a 320 for only 5000 is that right
i no every teen must ask the same question but is there any thing i could do get a better quote?
a peewee litle golf 1.6 is coming in at 3000 some thing

[jann]

The only way I got to drive my E30 when I was 19 was to be a named driver on my dads policy. Bending the rules yes, but it's the only way to do it without the insurance costing more than the freaking car!

[seanEE]

thay fixed that

[Brianmoooore]

There is a legitimate way of reducing your premium with the cooperation of a parent.
You get a parent to insure your car for you on an existing policy of theirs, naming you as the main driver. The gross premium will be extortionate, but you will get the benefit of their 60%-70% no claims discount.
Of course, if they don't have a 'spare' policy, they will have to take out a fresh policy for their own car, with either zero discount, or a smaller one if they can negotiate it, and will expect you to finance the difference.

[seanEE]

I'v been researching insurance and still non the wiser if i get a 320i and put a m41 in it will insurance be cheaper, or dearer be case it's been modified?

[pacerpete]

Modified usually = less insurers interested = more money. Young / inexperienced driver = even less insurers interested = lots more money.

Be aware that spending thousands putting a modern diesel into a worthless 320 quattroporte will still leave you with a worthless 320
If your budget is tight , your skills rather ordinary and MPG is important , buy an economical car, do not try and make one.

[seanEE]

thousands? before i go any further 400 for a 320 with no engine and a bit of cleaning up needed 400 for a crashed 318tds and a summer do i have every thing i need maybe a drive shaft shortened

or am i over looking things?

[Jesus325iTouring]

thousands? before i go any further 400 for a 320 with no engine and a bit of cleaning up needed 400 for a crashed 318tds and a summer do i have every thing i need maybe a drive shaft shortened

or am i over looking things?

Let's just say, instead of wasting a summer messing about with a festering 320 and 318 turd (with the only end result being a modified 320 you'll still never insure), work for the summer and save money. Then buy a cheap 316 as your first E30 and you'll perhaps have enough money to insure it also.

[pacerpete]

thousands? before i go any further 400 for a 320 with no engine and a bit of cleaning up needed 400 for a crashed 318tds and a summer do i have every thing i need maybe a drive shaft shortened

or am i over looking things?

YES !

[seanEE]

its 5400 for me to insure a 316i there's no tax on 30 year old cars

and dos any body know whether thay will insure it as a 318tds or a 320i if i swap engines

[pacerpete]

I assume you are in Ireland ? RE insurance, you had best ring a few insurance companies. But as both a 318 and a 320 are 'bigger' than a 316, I suggest you start looking at other modes of transport, or rob a bank !

[seanEE]

looks like il have to get a no clams bonus in a seat ibza or somthing

but hear was my thinking 30year old = cheap tax 1.7tds =slowest engine ever made cheap insurance but at least the car isn't made of tinfoil

regarding the practicality of it swap engine gear box diff dos any body know if thay will fit the old mounts
swap ecu pice of cake right

[pacerpete]

looks like il have to get a no clams bonus in a seat ibza or somthing

but hear was my thinking 30year old = cheap tax 1.7tds =slowest engine ever made cheap insurance but at least the car isn't made of tinfoil

regarding the practicality of it swap engine gear box diff dos any body know if thay will fit the old mounts
swap ecu pice of cake right

Stick to the Ibiza idea !