E30 engine conversion

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KJF8S
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Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:22 pm

Hi all, still a newbie here but was wondering if anyone could help me.

I got my self a 318i touring and i want to drop a 535 lump in there.

Now i have read through a few topics and builds but being so new to BMW's im not gonna lie its a little alien to me.

So first things first is there anyone that you can recommend who can do the conversion for me .... im based around the Maidenhead Berkshire area and secondly if not is there a childs like shopping list of things i need to buy and where from.

Sorry if this all comes across a little lame many thanks for all help

Kevin
DHFiS
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Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:49 pm

Have a read through this to get an idea of what is involved

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... tart=0#top
leeparkes
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Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:00 pm

And ill supply the mounts to shoehorn it in there, see sig. :)
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place.. :o:
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KJF8S
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:51 pm

Thanks for the heads up guys. Do you know any company that can do it for me?
Rav335uk
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:04 pm

Where are you based??

And Lee, you best still have my mounts tucked away :D
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Tom_Maverick
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:38 pm

Anyone fancy putting a 535 lump in mine while your at it? (group buy?! :) )
:D I was wondering at prices for someone to do this too, as I just haven't the time..
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Rav335uk
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:42 pm

You're a bit too far Tom, but I cold sort out a conversion.
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If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
ross2009
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:43 pm

bloody hell tom you want every conversion going lol
Turbo M20
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v8 project 6.0 twin turbo
http://s924.photobucket.com/user/Rossco ... ject%20e30
johnl320
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:02 pm

I'll be selling a complete conversion setup if fuel prices keep soaring :cry:
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KJF8S
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:12 pm

Hi Rav, im based in Maidenhead postcode SL6 but close to the M40 can shift the car about no bother.

Fingers crossed prices to go up to much more eh!!!
johnl320
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:22 pm

You get down to north hampshire with all the parts needed and I'll put it together. However things like prop length and exhaust fitting issues can crop up right at the end, delaying completion and piling on unexpected costs. How far have you got when it comes to conversion parts?
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KJF8S
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:37 pm

If im 100% honest no where, Im just going through the list this week and hope to have it all within the next 2-3 weeks! Think the engine is going to be the hardest bit ..... or am I wrong lol
johnl320
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:46 pm

Sourcing a good m30 is getting harder, you need to think about what gaerbox , prop, rad and diff you are going to use
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KJF8S
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:55 pm

Oh dear its all so confusing especially when I dont really know what I'm hunting for when it comes to engine codes and types M30's E32 E34 it all means nothing. Ill get there though and if your happy to take on the conversion that would be great.
Rav335uk
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:02 pm

Getting a manual E34 M30 box will be the biggest headache.
Not many about.

You ideally want an M30 out of the E34 as that slips straight in.
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If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
SHAZ325iSPORT
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:05 pm

Bring it down to my garage if you willing to come to east london walthamstow,done quite a few of the m30 conversions. :D
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leeparkes
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:28 pm

There's an engine for sale here.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E34-535i- ... 4ab52f6661

and another

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW1990-535i- ... 3a7196eb4b


Regarding gearboxes ALL M30 gearboxes will fit on an E34/32 engine, ie E28 525i 528i etc..
Also M10 boxes fit with an uprated clutch.


And yes Rav your mounts are still here. :)
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place.. :o:
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KJF8S
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:45 pm

leeparkes wrote:There's an engine for sale here.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E34-535i- ... 4ab52f6661
I was looking at this one but wasnt sure if I should or not it being an Auto.

Sorry again for being so neive but would I need the loom and ECU to go with it?

Thank you again guys for all this help!
Rav335uk
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:48 pm

I have ECU's for these, or should I say Lee has them atm. :mad:

You can use the M20 loom, but having the E34 loom is easier to work with.

The second link Lee put up is just the block and injectors, no ancilleries. :roll:
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If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
leeparkes
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:55 pm

Being an auto wont be a problem
Engine will come complete with all its ancillaries, loom & manifolds, sump etc but not the AFM & ECU, though these are available by seperate negotiation.
Any ECU can be used as long as the number ends in 172, 173 or 179.
AFM can be picked up second hand for around £30.
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place.. :o:
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KJF8S
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Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:11 pm

Sweet. Best give the guy a call tomorrow then i guess! Let the shopping begin.
Tom_Maverick
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Wed Apr 04, 2012 8:30 am

ross2009 wrote:bloody hell tom you want every conversion going lol
well, I want something I can use as a daily with a bit more power and torque, isn't going to take the car off the road for a month and isn't going to need putting back together every ten minutes and isn't going to cost the earth.. I was interested in the cossie conversion but cecotto's needs a rebuild and I don't think it'd be very practical, and the v8 conversion I was posting about was for the other shell :) that can take as long as it likes as it's just a strip toy / weekend fun car.. basically the M30 sounds ideal, more power and torque, not a massive amount of work, looks pretty factory and keeps the reliability without me dipping into the house deposit :)
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