Easiest conversion?

[WerkdE30]

Of the many engine swaps into e30's is there any that simply bolt in? or do they all require cutting and modifying of other parts?

bassically what are your oppinions of which is the cheapest or easiest engine swap into an e30?

[ed325i]

you can do the m30 3.5 swap without cutting anything well apart from the exhaust , you an buy the engine mounts and use the m3 prop.

ED

[WerkdE30]

huh that easy aye?

which engine mounts? which m3 prop? u sure thats all thats needed?

and whats the weight of the m30 compared to m20?

[DanThe]

M20 = 117kg
M30 = 143kg

And just for interest

M50 = 136kg (iron block)
M52 = 118kg (alloy block)

These are bare engine weights, ie. no starter/alternator/ps pumps or manifolds
With the M52 having a plastic inlet manifold, I reckon it could work out the same if not lighter than the M20 fully built

[gareth]

it's not quite that simple as even the M3 exhaust needs hangers messing with etc as they're different. the M3 prop is a straight swap. you'll need a E28 M30 rad, electric fan etc etc.

what model is your car? if you're anything less than a 325i then the 2.5 is probably the easiest and cheapest but not the fastest.

it's all down to what your budget is really. it can and will vary wildly from your estimats but i reckon a M30 with M3 exhaust and prop can be installed for £500 after you've sold the old engine, exhaust, prop, gearbox etc etc.

[ed325i]

huh that easy aye?

which engine mounts? which m3 prop? u sure thats all thats needed?

and whats the weight of the m30 compared to m20?

You can use the e30 m3 prop. You buy the engine mounts form www.e30.de or I might be able to make you some. Do a search on the zone for more info. The e30.de tells you about the converson but alot of what they say is rubbish.

ED

[ed325i]

You dont have to use the m3 exhaust you can use the 325 one.
ED

[TommyC]

But the 325 exhaust won't flow as nicely as an M3 one and could possibly reduce the power output of the 3.5.......

[ed325i]

How much bigger is the m3 one. The 325 one has got to flow better then the 535 one?? so will you lose power ??. The 325 one is 2mm smaller where it fits to the down pipes.

ED

[charlE30]

How much bigger is the m3 one. The 325 one has got to flow better then the 535 one?? so will you lose power ??. The 325 one is 2mm smaller where it fits to the down pipes.

ED

I've got an E30 M3 supersprint backbox that fits perfectly onto a standard 325 centre box, the pipe diameters seem to be the same. I've also got a complete E30 320is system (Italian M3) identical to the M3 system and they all match up with the standard 325 system. Is it the actual boxes not the pipes that help with gas flow/power??

As you can probably tell I've been collecting exhaust systems for my conversion, my garage now looks like a breakers yard

[ed325i]

Is it the actual boxes not the pipes that help with gas flow/power??, Yes and the 325 system has got to flow better then the 535 one. People try and make this conversion sound harder than it is.
charl have you got to many more parts for the conversion ?

ED

[charlE30]

WerkdE30 another conversion worth considering is the 2.5 M50 24v, stevetigger has done this recently (well still doing) and the only thing requiring modifing was the exhaust manifold IIRC. No need for custom engine mounts as you use stock BMW items and the prop was an E30 M3 item.

It all depend on what you have available over there and what your budget is, both the M30 and M50 can be relativly cheap to do if you're handy with a spanner

What E30 do you plan to use?

P.S Ed you can never have too many parts when doing a conversion

[jmc330i]

WerkdE30 another conversion worth considering is the 2.5 M50 24v, stevetigger has done this recently (well still doing) and the only thing requiring modifing was the exhaust manifold IIRC. No need for custom engine mounts as you use stock BMW items and the prop was an E30 M3 item.

The brake servo also needs changing for the smaller VW item, but there is no real fabrication work involved other than the exhaust manifold.

P.S Ed you can never have too many parts when doing a conversion

Too true

[Brianmoooore]

. No need for custom engine mounts as you use stock BMW items and the prop was an E30 M3 item.

Use an E34 525 engine for the correct sump, oil pick up and the most suitable wiring loom. Use the E34 engine mount rubbers with E36 alloy mounts, standard E36 front exhaust manifold and a modified E36 rear exhaust manifold.
Prop required will either be standard 325 or M3, depending on which size output flange your gearbox has.