'88 316 to M20B25 swap...

Post Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:19 pm

I'm considering buying a local E30 as a run around. It's an absolute BOGGO 316, bottom of the range but has 12 months MOT, Tax and (from the pictures) looks very solid. Seing as I have an M20B25 and full 325i running gear kicking around I might as well fit it eh?

My question is: Is there any reason in particular that the M20 might be difficult to fit? I only ask as the 316 is a 1.8 carb isn't it? Is the fuel pump an electric one or mechanical?

Post Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:32 pm

Probably a low pressure electric pump on there if it's carb. I'm sure i've read here somewhere that it will need the pump and fuel return pipes from an injection model.

Post Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:42 pm

I suspect you will need the iS fuel pump and tank.. and maybe new fuel lines as they wont be high pressure

Just rob the galvaniser

Post Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:53 pm

Or just finish one of the "projects"?

Post Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:55 pm

Jai bless him needs someone to hold his hand to work on the car, so I dont think anything will actually happen till I arrive back on the scene

Post Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:04 pm

Which will be fine as long as your not timing the car up hey Dan

Post Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:08 pm

Hey

The timing of the car was absolutely fine... Looks like it was a tensioner 'issue'

Post Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:40 am

What about the wiring convertion? Have you solved that matter?

Post Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:25 pm

Sod it..

I'm going to go find a different car. Looks like there's a lot to swap and I don't need to be faffing around. Oh well, cheers for the help.

Post Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:44 pm

get spadge to fit it for you!

Post Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:42 pm

Don't be so vulgar!

Someone else fit an engine for me?? NEVER!

I'm perfectly capable, just a bit lazy (and in need of a car atm). It'd be just as easy to find a 320i in good nick than get this 316. It's not that cheap, just looked solid and it's really local.

Post Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:45 pm

How about getting that S50 of yours fitted while there are still carbon based life forms around to drive it?

Post Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:09 pm

All right, all right!

I dont have enough money at the moment! As soon as I'm mobile again I can go get work. Be it lifting bricks or an office job. I live in the middle of no-where at the moment and I'm having to cobble by doing crappy freelance architect work at the moment. If I had even a small in-come I'd just do the S50 swap. As it is I need a few too many expensive bits..

Middle/rear exhaust (custom build myself?)
Manifold wrap tape
E36 328i prop/ E30M3 prop
Electric fan and wiring
CR oil cooler adaptor and a mocal oil cooler
Full S50 service kit and shims
Various S50 bolts, gaskets and bits you wouldn't want to change in the engine bay
Engine, gearbox and diff oil
Brake fuild
E36 M3 Bilstein B8 front struts (ouch!)
4 x 215/40/17 quality tyres (ouch!)
E30 offset/Kmac top mounts
E30 325i H&R springs.
E36 M3 pads all round
custom brake hoses for ZM rear arms
Parts to make manual incl new shiny gear lever, gaitor and bushes
Sports seats (I'm not driving THAT around with std comfort seats!)

And people woder why things like S50 swap add up to at least £6k????

I could do away with anything suspension or brakes there erally and fit the E30 M3 running gear and wheels I was using on my scrapper. Trouble is that it'd need two tyres and I was going to sell the running gear to allow me to buy a car to get around in.

Sucks to be me atm.

Post Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:16 pm

Just get a £50 fiesta or something dude, Any old snotter will do.

Save the joys of an E30 for the S50 powered turd.

Post Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:21 pm

Jai, remeber my dad (12345kevin) has a nice wedge of cash burning a hole in his pocket for them bits you discussed at the BBB meet,

chin up though it will get done.

Post Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:24 am

I think you should get off your ass n sort something

Run the M3 stuff like a proper hero and get one with it

Post Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:20 am

Yup, get on with it. If you wait to have everything then you'll never do it.

You'll soon build the momentum up and get it done in no time. That list of yours looks pretty big, but it's nowhere near as big as the list of stuff you already have. Take heart and just get on with it. If you were closer I'd lend my services. (kick your ass)

Post Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:58 pm

True, true. To actually get the engine in I only need odds and sods like a clutch throwout bearing, flywheel and gearbox oil and bolts. Then I can crack the wiring in my spare time... yey.