E36 318is mechanics in to E30 318i (M10)

[ivogon]

Hi all,

I'm now start doing some things to my E30 318i from 1984 and I would like to have you thoughts about something that I have in mind.

I would like to upgrade my E30 to something more powerful but, because legislation is so tight here, I cannot go to high so I was wandering how difficult is to swap the mechanics (engine, suspension, 5 lug conversion, rear disc upgrade) from an E36 318is. In this way, I could have an increase of ~40hp, suspension and break improvement.
Can you please advise how difficult it is?
Should the best way be to buy a brocken E36 and swap all the parts?
Will they fit without major problems?

Thanks,
IvoGon

[Grrrmachine]

The E36 engine will fit, but you will need an E30 sump and possibly exhaust manifold.

The E36 suspension and brakes will not fit because of the suspension geometry. If you want to fit the 5-lug setup, you need an E36 M3.

For more info on fitting the M42 engine, read here: http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Swap_-_M42

For more info on the 5-lug conversion: http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Conversion

[ivogon]

The E36 engine will fit, but you will need an E30 sump and possibly exhaust manifold.

The E36 suspension and brakes will not fit because of the suspension geometry. If you want to fit the 5-lug setup, you need an E36 M3.

For more info on fitting the M42 engine, read here: http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Swap_-_M42

For more info on the 5-lug conversion: http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Conversion

Hi, thanks for the tips.

The 5-lug conversion is not mandatory for me. What is important is the increase on break force since my E30 fails a bit on that and I can imagine that it will fail at all with M42 engine.
Do you have other cheaper break upgrades advice?

[Grrrmachine]

You can consider upgrading to the vented front discs and solid rear discs that were used on 325i, and all Touring and Cabriolet cars. These will be more than enough to cope with the M42 power.

If your brake system is old, you find that you only need to replace the rubber brake pipes and metal brake lines in the car. If the brakes are still soft, your master cylinder might also be leaking.

[Brianmoooore]

Most E30s were fitted with ventilated front discs and non ventilated rear discs. These will bolt on with no problems, and when working as they should, will be quite adequate for up to 250 bhp or so. on the road.

[ivogon]

You can consider upgrading to the vented front discs and solid rear discs that were used on 325i, and all Touring and Cabriolet cars. These will be more than enough to cope with the M42 power.

If your brake system is old, you find that you only need to replace the rubber brake pipes and metal brake lines in the car. If the brakes are still soft, your master cylinder might also be leaking.

Thanks, I think I will take that road.

For the vented discs I can use the same calipers or I will need to replace them also?
The difference is 10mm but I think they use the same caliper. Can you confirm this?

Another option I think, is to replace the discs for bigger diameter and new calipers.
Do you know a good option to do this?

[Grrrmachine]

For the vented discs I can use the same calipers or I will need to replace them also?

You need to use the wider calipers for the vented discs

Another option I think, is to replace the discs for bigger diameter and new calipers.
Do you know a good option to do this?

You can buy an aftermarket kit. 300.de, Wilwood and WMS all produce good large brake setups for the E30. However, these are unnecessary if you're only adding an iS engine. As Brian says, the standard E30 vented discs are good for over 200hp.

[ivogon]

For the vented discs I can use the same calipers or I will need to replace them also?

You need to use the wider calipers for the vented discs

Another option I think, is to replace the discs for bigger diameter and new calipers.
Do you know a good option to do this?

You can buy an aftermarket kit. 300.de, Wilwood and WMS all produce good large brake setups for the E30. However, these are unnecessary if you're only adding an iS engine. As Brian says, the standard E30 vented discs are good for over 200hp.

Hi,

I have almost all material for the breaks upgrade.
I'm converting the front to vented discs and the rear to solid discs from 325i.

I'm also upgrading the steering from mechanic to hydraulic and here I'm getting some difficulty to find a pump for m10 engine.
Can someone tell me if I can use the m40 pump? Will it bolt on m10 bracket?

Thanks,
IvoGon

[Brianmoooore]

M10 uses the same pump as a M20, but pulley is different.
The pulley you require is used on the E30 M3, and also on E28 518s with the M10 engine.
The mounting brackets are also found on the same models as the pulley.

All this info. is easy to find. Just go to one of the on line ETKs, find the parts diagram for the steering parts for your engine, and click on the parts numbers in the list under the diagram.
This will show you every BMW model that uses the same part.