Looking for a good base and a bit of a project, come from a Cosworth background and RS background but looking to get myself my first e30 and as a start this caught my eye being quite close to me.
Problem I have I know little about the engine and swaps on the BMW scene at the minute and I’m trying to do my own research via this forum and YouTube and mags, and know little about what the seller is claiming, I understand vanos and no vanos part my good mate has an e46 m3 and had it for 10yrs and keeps me right with most things.
Body wise and structural takes care of itself but could anyone shed light on the engine please, and interior.
And can this engine (rebuilt) or otherwise healthy be a base for a turbo conversion down the line?
Regards, Robert
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/-bmw-e30- ... 1272187448
Car I’m looking at, advice please lads.
Moderator: martauto
M50 non VANOS is arguably the best choice of BMW engine for a turbo conversion - cost, ease, suitability, quality of end result all things considered. Plenty have done it in here, plenty of information about.
M5x engines are also pretty easy to rebuild. Only specialist tool required and worth having would be the cam timing tools. Otherwise, care is required when removing & installing the hollow camshafts.
Blocks can be overbored quite a bit for bigger pistons if required. Rotating assemblies from 2.8 and 3.0 M5x engines can also be used for more capacity.
Car looks nice in the pics but the most important thing is to make sure there's no critical rot. Rear inner arches, front bulkhead, sunroof, inner sills - pretty much everywhere. So check carefully. Rot aside, electrics and mechanics are pretty easy to deal with.
Get yourself on R3Vlimited and E30Tech as well. Americans do lots with these cars too so worth a look. Lots of good information there.
Good luck!
M5x engines are also pretty easy to rebuild. Only specialist tool required and worth having would be the cam timing tools. Otherwise, care is required when removing & installing the hollow camshafts.
Blocks can be overbored quite a bit for bigger pistons if required. Rotating assemblies from 2.8 and 3.0 M5x engines can also be used for more capacity.
Car looks nice in the pics but the most important thing is to make sure there's no critical rot. Rear inner arches, front bulkhead, sunroof, inner sills - pretty much everywhere. So check carefully. Rot aside, electrics and mechanics are pretty easy to deal with.
Get yourself on R3Vlimited and E30Tech as well. Americans do lots with these cars too so worth a look. Lots of good information there.
Good luck!