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E30 engine conversion

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:22 pm
by KJF8S
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

Re: E30 engine conversion

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:49 pm
by DHFiS
Have a read through this to get an idea of what is involved

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... tart=0#top

Re: E30 engine conversion

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:00 pm
by leeparkes
And ill supply the mounts to shoehorn it in there, see sig. :)

Re: E30 engine conversion

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:51 pm
by KJF8S
Thanks for the heads up guys. Do you know any company that can do it for me?

Re: E30 engine conversion

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:04 pm
by Rav335uk
Where are you based??

And Lee, you best still have my mounts tucked away :D

Re: E30 engine conversion

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:38 pm
by Tom_Maverick
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..

Re: E30 engine conversion

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:42 pm
by Rav335uk
You're a bit too far Tom, but I cold sort out a conversion.

Re: E30 engine conversion

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:43 pm
by ross2009
bloody hell tom you want every conversion going lol

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:02 pm
by johnl320
I'll be selling a complete conversion setup if fuel prices keep soaring :cry:

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:12 pm
by KJF8S
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!!!

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:22 pm
by johnl320
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?

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:37 pm
by KJF8S
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

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:46 pm
by johnl320
Sourcing a good m30 is getting harder, you need to think about what gaerbox , prop, rad and diff you are going to use

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:55 pm
by KJF8S
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.

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:02 pm
by Rav335uk
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.

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:05 pm
by SHAZ325iSPORT
Bring it down to my garage if you willing to come to east london walthamstow,done quite a few of the m30 conversions. :D

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:28 pm
by leeparkes
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. :)

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:45 pm
by KJF8S
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!

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:48 pm
by Rav335uk
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:

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:55 pm
by leeparkes
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.

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:11 pm
by KJF8S
Sweet. Best give the guy a call tomorrow then i guess! Let the shopping begin.

Re: E30 engine conversion

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 8:30 am
by Tom_Maverick
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 :)