E30 Zone

Posted: **Tue Nov 03, 2015 12:50 am**

I have recently bought this from another Zone member McCarthy and love it so far, I have tidied up the fan sensor wiring and rerouted with the original loom and tonight added some height to the engine mounts so the sump does not vibrate on the steering rack, they already had a few washers in so I added another four and it has transformed the feel on acceleration.
I just love the torque on this it is so drivable I wish I had done this conversion myself or got one earlier.

engine mount with a bit of height for now;

My Old 325i is too rusty for me to repair so the money I had saved to weld it went in to this, even better as it is the same colour I can swap over my Tech 2 kit and interior and probably the wings and bonnet.
I did look at an E30 B3.5 in blue up in Luton two months ago but it was an absolute shed and whilst it went well it wobbled, banged and rattled from just about every where underneath, bushes, springs and prop.
It was the performance of that that made me want to hold out for another one in decent shape

Spec from the Ad

BMW E30 3 Series Touring.
Originally a 318i but had a 3.5l M30 engine conversion around a year ago.
Lots done to car since purchasing as a standard 318i several years back.
Most upgrades done in the last 6-12 months however I have other projects I need to work on and this unfortunately has to go.
Approx 115k miles on the clock. Mileage of the M30 engine unknow but was sold to me and fitted by professional garage (an e30zone member) at the cost of around £1600.
M30 engines are great conversions as it adds lots of low end torque and these engines are regarded as one of the best and most reliable BMW ever built!

Summary of upgrades:
M30 3.5l engine conversion with M30 5-speed manual gearbox - £850 plus fitting
New Electric fan and E28 535 radiator - £200
6 branch manifold and full stainless steel exhaust system
Rebuilt 3.46? 5 series differential with e30 backplate and fresh oil - £80
15" BBS alloys (good tyre tread all round) - £250
AP Sport suspension kit with 40mm drop all round (only done about 100 miles on these) - £260
New Meyle heavy duty rear top mounts - £30
Front struts upgraded to larger 325i items - £40
New front hub bearings fitted to struts - £50
Polybushed front wishbones - £45
Short shift gearshifter - £40
E46 Clubsport steering rack - £100 plus fitting
Full Touring sport interior (will add photos of interior this week) with rear headrests (rear headrests not fitted yet) - £400
MTEC steering wheel - £45
New Battery added last week - £80
New air filter, spark plugs, oil filter and fresh oil in the last 100 miles
New water pump and thermostat and bleed screw fitted

Posted: **Tue Nov 03, 2015 1:30 pm**

Im hopefully picking up a 3.5 on the weekend for my touring.

Its always good to hear good reviews of this engine being fitted.

Posted: **Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:18 pm**

Nice to have a whole spare car in the right colour as a breaker

Posted: **Thu Nov 05, 2015 11:42 pm**

Modified the fuel gauge today for the M30 engine

Posted: **Thu Nov 05, 2015 11:52 pm**

fixedwheelnut wrote:Modified the fuel gauge today for the M30 engine

I need one of those for mine

Posted: **Sun Nov 15, 2015 6:26 pm**

Done a bit more work today mainly stripping my old one but had to tidy the wiring by the bulkhead where the loom and battery cable were rubbing on the rocker cover and servo.

so using the panel from my 325i

Now better and cable tied in position no rubbing any where.

Next on the agenda will be coolant hoses a lot of them are rubbing on body panels or other pipes, the main concern can be seen in that picture above, the upper heater hose is squashed between the servo and inlet manifold.
Any one else with this conversion have photos of how they got round it?

Also I want to upgrade to silicone hoses at sometime does any one sell them individually or do I have to buy an M30 and M20 set and cannabilise them ??

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:48 pm**

Demon tweeks do a range of universal Samco hoses http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/performan ... ccessories

They might be useful but I'm just looking at some of the cooling pipes for reference on the wiki
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Swap_-_M30

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:07 pm**

Who did the conversion originally? Nice car though

Posted: **Tue Nov 17, 2015 8:40 pm**

robbo86 wrote:Who did the conversion originally? Nice car though

McCarthy from here had it done by another Zoner but not sure who.

I did look through that lot Toby I'll have a play one weekend and tidy them up a bit plus look through the other link cheers

New throttle cable on order for tomorrow, shot off down the road stuck at 2500rpm this morning, lucky I had a bungee strap in the boot just right from the earth cable to the throttle linkage 'Acme throttle return spring'

Posted: **Tue Jan 19, 2016 11:50 pm**

Good to see its gone to a good home and time is being spent on the finishing touches! I do miss it from time to time tho....

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:24 am**

looking lovely!

Posted: **Sat Jan 23, 2016 5:49 pm**

Only fellow M30 owners appreciate the grunt and enjoyment these engines give

Enjoy

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2016 10:21 pm**

Cypriotgeeza wrote:Only fellow M30 owners appreciate the grunt and enjoyment these engines give

Enjoy

Thanks Cypriotgeeza and Pukar, it is fun

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2017 12:00 am**

Had a whole week off last week to do some welding on the beast and finally fit the M-Tech kit

https://flic.kr/p/YsaJbe

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2017 12:42 am**

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2017 1:17 pm**

Good to see another m30 touring out there going strong after a few years! Definitely gives me motivation to get my a## into gear and sort my poor thing out.

Looking good

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2017 4:42 pm**

I bet you're well pleased, that looks like it just left the factory

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:23 pm**

tha881 wrote:I bet you're well pleased, that looks like it just left the factory

Hmm not by a long shot, that front left wing has a fair bit of primer showing around the wheel arch where I cleaned off rust and painted Jelonite on it just to stop it spreading.
There are a lot of scratches and chips but hopefully save up for a respray at sometime.
This was essential welding work last week at front left jacking block and inner wing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaE_d7IFN5S ... edwheelnut

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaICvu1l8r6 ... edwheelnut

Sailed through the MOT today

Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:11 am**

Nice! Good to see someone still updating their build thread!

Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:15 pm**

Cypriotgeeza wrote:Nice! Good to see someone still updating their build thread!

Cheers Eren

more of a keeping it going thread

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:35 pm**

Lovely to see so much effort has gone into this car..................I really hope you use it as well?

Mart.

Posted: **Fri Nov 23, 2018 12:27 am**

martauto wrote: ↑
Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:35 pm
Lovely to see so much effort has gone into this car..................I really hope you use it as well?

Mart.

Still use it, just lately it seems like every motor has decided to give up, first the front wiper motor then the fuel pump and today the blower motor.

Other upgrades to the front brakes fitted a set of four pot Mazda RX7 calipers with VW Corrado discs, picked them up last year second hand from someone switching to a five stud axle set up

Tight fit but they go under standard 15" BBS by using a 10mm spacer between rim and hub.

Posted: **Thu Mar 05, 2020 5:30 pm**

Finally had the exhaust system upgraded, massive thanks to Kevin at Zero Exhausts in Bethersden for a stainless steel custom manifold with full system to open it up more free flowing than the 325i system it did have , it has really opened up the top end of the rev range and sounds much better.
https://zeroexhausts.co.uk/

Posted: **Fri Mar 06, 2020 1:01 am**

Looks smart. What sort of price can one expect to pay?

Posted: **Wed Apr 01, 2020 5:01 pm**

chatstar123 wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 06, 2020 1:01 am
Looks smart. What sort of price can one expect to pay?

Full custom in stainless steel approx £2k considering I was quoted between £2.5K and £2.8K four years ago I was quite pleased.+ I had just saved up the money four years ago but my daughter got married so ended up paying out elsewhere

Posted: **Wed Apr 01, 2020 6:19 pm**

fixedwheelnut wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 01, 2020 5:01 pm

chatstar123 wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 06, 2020 1:01 am
Looks smart. What sort of price can one expect to pay?
Full custom in stainless steel approx £2k considering I was quoted between £2.5K and £2.8K four years ago I was quite pleased.+ I had just saved up the money four years ago but my daughter got married so ended up paying out elsewhere

thats a pretty good price for a manifold like that.

tempted to see what they'ed charge to make an RD type 6 branch manifold for an m20 after this virus has been sorted.

Posted: **Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:45 pm**

fixedwheelnut wrote: ↑
Thu Mar 05, 2020 5:30 pm
Finally had the exhaust system upgraded, massive thanks to Kevin at Zero Exhausts in Bethersden for a stainless steel custom manifold with full system to open it up more free flowing than the 325i system it did have , it has really opened up the top end of the rev range and sounds much better.
https://zeroexhausts.co.uk/

This is pornography and should not be allowed on this site!!!

Love your build mate!
hope to see more updates in the future!

Posted: **Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:32 pm**

Ha, ha yeah, I wasn't sure whether to fit it to the car or hang it on the wall as art

I have put a lot of work on hold waiting for a respray but the painter has let me down after keeping me waiting for over a year, then Covid lockdown hit and he stopped replying to messages even though I know he is back working, would have preferred he just came out and said he didn't want to or couldn't do it, so I am going to carry on fitting the parts I have accumulated while looking for another painter.

I have crackle black timing case and rocker cover plus a crackle black inlet manifold that will also bring the inlet in from the left side of the engine bay so cooler.
Black leather interior that I am repairing and colonizing

I am also going to dye the carpets black to match as well

Uncracked dash to go in

Cypriotgeeza wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:45 pm

fixedwheelnut wrote: ↑
Thu Mar 05, 2020 5:30 pm
Finally had the exhaust system upgraded, massive thanks to Kevin at Zero Exhausts in Bethersden for a stainless steel custom manifold with full system to open it up more free flowing than the 325i system it did have , it has really opened up the top end of the rev range and sounds much better.
https://zeroexhausts.co.uk/

This is pornography and should not be allowed on this site!!!
Love your build mate!
hope to see more updates in the future!

Posted: **Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:23 am**

fixedwheelnut wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:32 pm
Ha, ha yeah, I wasn't sure whether to fit it to the car or hang it on the wall as art I have put a lot of work on hold waiting for a respray but the painter has let me down after keeping me waiting for over a year, then Covid lockdown hit and he stopped replying to messages even though I know he is back working, would have preferred he just came out and said he didn't want to or couldn't do it, so I am going to carry on fitting the parts I have accumulated while looking for another painter.

I have crackle black timing case and rocker cover plus a crackle black inlet manifold that will also bring the inlet in from the left side of the engine bay so cooler.

I am also going to dye the carpets black to match as well

Uncracked dash to go in

One thing I cant stand in life is unreliable people! Exactly like you said, just be honest and I'll go elsewhere its not going to hurt my feelings!

So you got a flipped inlet manifold? I considered doing it but 1) I don't want to lose the 3,5 part on there and 2) I really need to get a move on with my throttle body build that I keep putting off...I think its because I love the look of that inlet manifold so much

Uncracked dash makes such a difference but then you worry about the new one cracking lol

Looking forward to your updates mate!

Posted: **Tue Nov 16, 2021 11:54 pm**

About time for a little update, finally found a bodyshop willing to take on a colour change so stripped out the interior at home and engine and box out at a friends garage.

Planning an engine refresh while it is out.

Have accumulated a few panels over the years, Sills, wings, jack points and front panel, plus had to get a bonnet due to excess rust too.

and a taste of the San Marino blue colour coming, front bumper in paint.

Probably be a while before I am back on the road with it but will update as I go

Posted: **Wed Nov 17, 2021 8:32 am**

I can't wait to see this done and in the flesh mate!

Posted: **Wed Nov 17, 2021 4:46 pm**

Cypriotgeeza wrote: ↑
Wed Nov 17, 2021 8:32 am
I can't wait to see this done and in the flesh mate!

Cheers Eren I can't wait either been off the road since August, I am still in my other Touring the 318i but it isn't as quick ;)

Definitely a trip up to see you when it is done

Posted: **Wed Nov 17, 2021 4:49 pm**

Epic colour , cant wait to see this one

Mart.

Posted: **Wed Nov 17, 2021 9:17 pm**

Thats going to be bright!

Posted: **Wed Nov 17, 2021 10:49 pm**

Fantastic colour, can't wait to see it finished.

E30 Zone

My 335i M30 B3.5

My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5

Re: My 335i M30 B3.5