v8 into an e30

[daveburke114]

alrite guys, im after some info about putting a v8 in an e30

ive only been without my e30 for 3 months and already want to drive one again!

my dads got an ls400 just sitting on the drive, so i was thinking buy a cheap shell. showhorn it in and ta-taaa cheapo track car!

it needs to be very cheap to do otherwise it wont happen (l work will be done in our garage), which is why i was thinking of using the lexus 4L v8 instead of buying a bmw one.

does anyone know what is needed. ie which engine mounts (where to get them) and ive heard theres a problem moving the brake system?

and which manual gearbox will mate to this engine?

or will it be cheaper to buy a bmw v8 that will go straight in, once youve bought the engine mounts etc?

any info is appreciated, or links to a website with this conversion would be fantastic!

ive done a few searches but couldnt find the right info!

cheers
dave

[320ise]

i think it would be cheaper and easyer to get an m60 bmw lump and put that in, as people have done it and will know whats involved, if you go down the lexus road you may have to get a lot of the stuff fabricated anyway wich wont be too cheap.

[oze30]

They are much the same, With the M60, you can't use a brake servo on the firewall. The block/heads are just too wide. The Lexus V8 is narrower, allowing you a smaller servo and moved across towards the strut tower. PM Drifty325, He's done the Lexus swap. I've done the BMW swap, and it's not without it's problems.. Brakes mainly (I used twin mastercylinders under the dash) and exhaust (which will need to be done properly, but will mean the the engine out to get to the manifold nuts.

No V8 will go straight in. Even in an E36, It won't go straight in. So you;re up for a fair bit of headache and cash! (or freezing hands and busted nuckles)

[GrindCulture]

Dropping an M60 into an E30 looks like a massive headache, not for the faint hearted our those with shallow pockets. There's a V8 cabby build on here somewhere that's got a lot of info in it.

Get an LS*

[JazzMan]

They are much the same, With the M60, you can't use a brake servo on the firewall. The block/heads are just too wide. The Lexus V8 is narrower, allowing you a smaller servo and moved across towards the strut tower. PM Drifty325, He's done the Lexus swap. I've done the BMW swap, and it's not without it's problems.. Brakes mainly (I used twin mastercylinders under the dash) and exhaust (which will need to be done properly, but will mean the the engine out to get to the manifold nuts.

No V8 will go straight in. Even in an E36, It won't go straight in. So you;re up for a fair bit of headache and cash! (or freezing hands and busted nuckles)

Do you use a servo with your twin master cylinder setup?

[oze30]

They are much the same, With the M60, you can't use a brake servo on the firewall. The block/heads are just too wide. The Lexus V8 is narrower, allowing you a smaller servo and moved across towards the strut tower. PM Drifty325, He's done the Lexus swap. I've done the BMW swap, and it's not without it's problems.. Brakes mainly (I used twin mastercylinders under the dash) and exhaust (which will need to be done properly, but will mean the the engine out to get to the manifold nuts.

No V8 will go straight in. Even in an E36, It won't go straight in. So you;re up for a fair bit of headache and cash! (or freezing hands and busted nuckles)

Do you use a servo with your twin master cylinder setup?

Nope. Just twin M/C on the pull rod. I did have E30 M3 brakes, so it pulled up well on track, but road was a bit scary. You could get the remote servos from MG's or the like, use 2 of them and you get servo assist.

[daveburke114]

cheers for the input i will PM Drifty325

does anyone know which gearboxes will fit this engine in the e30?

[Jonsku]

Check bimmerforums, there're lots of those LSx projects going on.

Here's my E30 V8 project http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=112207

[daveburke114]

nice one fellas will have a look on bimmerforums later

jonsku that conversion looks sweet, will have a full read through later!

[Chuntington101]

are the LS conversion suitable you UK right habd drive cars???

i think it would make a great engine swap.

Chris.

[drifty325i]

Mines using a black top 20 series 1uzfe (a lexus v8 version) its a front sump, im running a w55 gearbox (supra/celica) and we made no firewall,sump changes at all. Just custom engine mounts (simple) e30 engine bushes on top even, custom extractors,gearbox mounts (simple), converted e30 driveshaft and e30 6 bolt LSD diff.

Jump on to www.lextreme.com and search for e30 bmw, Ill post some picks up at some stage when i get time, you will be well impressed with how it looks under the bonnet now!! and how it goes.

Just did a 13.6 @ 108mph 1/4 now i no thats no "that" quick, BUT i had NO traction and overheating issues (fixed now ;) slicks and a 70mm alloy race radiator) it will do a mid 12 now. 108mph is not mucking around!!

Also at a recent exclusive motorsport track day (think M5/M6 V10s,m3s,911s etc) i was doing the same lap times as the m5/6s and much quicker than the older 3.6 911s.

[daveburke114]

bloody hell that sounds sweet mate! get some photos up asap! wana have a look at that bad boy!

so, the engine will go in with custom engine mounts; brake from an e34?; custom exhaust; gearbox off a celica/supra and e30 LSD?!

so how much does yours weigh in at roughly? and what HP you producing roughly?

i saw this site the other day: http://www.lextreme.com/tt.html

stage 1 producing "Currently, car is dynoed at 324.5 rwhp and 324.7 rwtq at 8 psi without intercooler"
stage 2 estimated at 500rwhp

[PiLLLe]

Problems with an V8 engine are not only the brakes or the engine mounts. Things that allso cause problems are steering linkage (since there is a exhaust nearby ), driveshaft, making the cooling system, alternator (i'm moving it on the other side, where ac compressor used to be) wiring and the list just goes on

Dunno much about an lexy swap, but at this moment i'm doing a m62 swap into my e30, and i must say, for my first project it's taking too much time, and money before i eaven started I've done some calculations and i came up with a total of 5k€ but, i've allready spent roughly about 2.5k and i've got only an empty shell to show

At this moment i'm looking how to solve steering linkage problem (not enough clerance) and how to make custom exhausts. (since i'm not droping the subframe these things cause problems)

p.s if my writing is bad, don't blame me it's my first all english post

[drifty325i]

bloody hell that sounds sweet mate! get some photos up asap! wana have a look at that bad boy!

so, the engine will go in with custom engine mounts; brake from an e34?; custom exhaust; gearbox off a celica/supra and e30 LSD?!

so how much does yours weigh in at roughly? and what HP you producing roughly?

i saw this site the other day: http://www.lextreme.com/tt.html

stage 1 producing "Currently, car is dynoed at 324.5 rwhp and 324.7 rwtq at 8 psi without intercooler"
stage 2 estimated at 500rwhp

Yip custom engine mounts, i used a golf booster (same fittings) custome exhaust but you could adapt the e30 twin system if you had to. yip w series gearbox and everything is e30 behind that. Shortend e30 driveshaft.

Mine weights around 1270kgs with sounds/big wheels etc so no more than with the m20.

Mine dynoed 279hp at the wheels, so about 330/340 at the crank, mines a bit of a freak though. Most standard around 240/270 at the crank

[Frenchguy]

Problems with an V8 engine are not only the brakes or the engine mounts. Things that allso cause problems are steering linkage (since there is a exhaust nearby ), driveshaft, making the cooling system, alternator (i'm moving it on the other side, where ac compressor used to be) wiring and the list just goes on

Dunno much about an lexy swap, but at this moment i'm doing a m62 swap into my e30, and i must say, for my first project it's taking too much time, and money before i eaven started I've done some calculations and i came up with a total of 5k€ but, i've allready spent roughly about 2.5k and i've got only an empty shell to show

At this moment i'm looking how to solve steering linkage problem (not enough clerance) and how to make custom exhausts. (since i'm not droping the subframe these things cause problems)

p.s if my writing is bad, don't blame me it's my first all english post

Feel free to start a topic about your conversion (with pics of course ). One-off exhaust manifolds might be a solution for your steering linkage clearance issue, but then there's the cost factor. Or try and find X5 V8 manifolds, a German website says they fit M60 engines in E30s perfectly.

Good luck!

[Jonsku]

Problems with an V8 engine are not only the brakes or the engine mounts. Things that allso cause problems are steering linkage (since there is a exhaust nearby ), driveshaft, making the cooling system, alternator (i'm moving it on the other side, where ac compressor used to be) wiring and the list just goes on

Dunno much about an lexy swap, but at this moment i'm doing a m62 swap into my e30, and i must say, for my first project it's taking too much time, and money before i eaven started I've done some calculations and i came up with a total of 5k€ but, i've allready spent roughly about 2.5k and i've got only an empty shell to show

At this moment i'm looking how to solve steering linkage problem (not enough clerance) and how to make custom exhausts. (since i'm not droping the subframe these things cause problems)

Yeah, it's quite a swap to do. Not an easy one

The budget usually gets at least doubled when you get to things, that's normal

What kind of problems you've with your steering linkage? I had no problems whatsoever with M60 / E30, M62 is the same in outer dimensions. Of course the exhaust-manifolds are pain in the ass but doable..

[PiLLLe]

Feel free to start a topic about your conversion (with pics of course ). One-off exhaust manifolds might be a solution for your steering linkage clearance issue, but then there's the cost factor. Or try and find X5 V8 manifolds, a German website says they fit M60 engines in E30s perfectly.

Good luck!

Will do, just waiting for a bit of sunshine to move the car out of garage to make some pics
At this moment i'm allmost 100% sure my exhaust will be custom made due to two reasons, clearance and hp gain

Yeah, it's quite a swap to do. Not an easy one
The budget usually gets at least doubled when you get to things, that's normal
What kind of problems you've with your steering linkage? I had no problems whatsoever with M60 / E30, M62 is the same in outer dimensions. Of course the exhaust-manifolds are pain in the ass but doable..

True i thought it would be straight forward job, i'we look couple of topics on this forum and on the other forums as well... i did not expect so much of thinking and calculating where to put what

You didn't have clearance issues, because you've probably used the spacers between subframe and chasy. Stock manifolds are hiting the universal joint of the steering linkage. I will remove the rubber, but still i need a good centimeter of clearance

But i've allready made some phonecalls so i think somethime early next week i'll go and buy some stainless tubing. It will cost me arround 150 to 200€ to make both sides but that's not much, when you gain about -20hp

here are some pics of my project



And home made engine mounts

[oze30]

Feel free to start a topic about your conversion (with pics of course ). One-off exhaust manifolds might be a solution for your steering linkage clearance issue, but then there's the cost factor. Or try and find X5 V8 manifolds, a German website says they fit M60 engines in E30s perfectly.

Good luck!

Will do, just waiting for a bit of sunshine to move the car out of garage to make some pics
At this moment i'm allmost 100% sure my exhaust will be custom made due to two reasons, clearance and hp gain

Yeah, it's quite a swap to do. Not an easy one
The budget usually gets at least doubled when you get to things, that's normal
What kind of problems you've with your steering linkage? I had no problems whatsoever with M60 / E30, M62 is the same in outer dimensions. Of course the exhaust-manifolds are pain in the ass but doable..

True i thought it would be straight forward job, i'we look couple of topics on this forum and on the other forums as well... i did not expect so much of thinking and calculating where to put what

You didn't have clearance issues, because you've probably used the spacers between subframe and chasy. Stock manifolds are hiting the universal joint of the steering linkage. I will remove the rubber, but still i need a good centimeter of clearance

But i've allready made some phonecalls so i think somethime early next week i'll go and buy some stainless tubing. It will cost me arround 150 to 200€ to make both sides but that's not much, when you gain about -20hp

here are some pics of my project



And home made engine mounts

You could try crushing the manifold???

[Jonsku]

You didn't have clearance issues, because you've probably used the spacers between subframe and chasy. Stock manifolds are hiting the universal joint of the steering linkage. I will remove the rubber, but still i need a good centimeter of clearance

Yes, but why do you stick to original manifolds? Why not just do new ones so you wouldn't have issues with steering column, was the subframe lowered or not.

Anyways, thanks for the pics and keep them coming!

[PiLLLe]

You could try crushing the manifold???

And decrease the gasflow? no i don't want to even try that the inner diameter si so small, and by doing that will make it even smaller but i must admit it did cross up my mind

Yes, but why do you stick to original manifolds? Why not just do new ones so you wouldn't have issues with steering column, was the subframe lowered or not.
Anyways, thanks for the pics and keep them coming!

There isn't much space to make custom manifolds, so i tryed to use the original ones, but i did make up my mind, so i will make custom ones.

I think the manifolds will be done till friday if i dont have anymore problems at work....

[oze30]

You could try crushing the manifold???

And decrease the gasflow? no i don't want to even try that the inner diameter si so small, and by doing that will make it even smaller but i must admit it did cross up my mind

Yes, but why do you stick to original manifolds? Why not just do new ones so you wouldn't have issues with steering column, was the subframe lowered or not.
Anyways, thanks for the pics and keep them coming!

There isn't much space to make custom manifolds, so i tryed to use the original ones, but i did make up my mind, so i will make custom ones.

I think the manifolds will be done till friday if i dont have anymore problems at work....

The manifolds are double skinned. You could cut the outer skin away and that should give you roughly 5-10mm extra clearance. A gentle bend with the heat torch should do the rest.

Cutting the tubes, doesn't result in that much less gas flow.

Custom manifolds are the only way to go. I thought about using yank V8 style block huggers (they collect below the 2/3 outlets) and fabricate them to go back from there. Or do the TVR thing and have them go forward and then back under the car. There's many options, just depends how much you want to spend.

Why do you think there's no room for the custom ones?

[PiLLLe]

I made those engine mounts a bit high, and i dont want to make pipes to close to each other, coz' i will wrap them in heatwrap.
But, i hadn't had enough time to realy take a good look and do some messuring, but like everything else i will sort out that too
Today i bought e32 brakebooster, and if i have any time tomorrow hopefully it will be mounted

[Jonsku]

I made those engine mounts a bit high, and i dont want to make pipes to close to each other, coz' i will wrap them in heatwrap.
But, i hadn't had enough time to realy take a good look and do some messuring, but like everything else i will sort out that too
Today i bought e32 brakebooster, and if i have any time tomorrow hopefully it will be mounted

There're lots of space for manifolds, and if you don't wrap the manifolds you can always paint them with exhaust-manifold-temperature-paint which keeps them cool.

Heck, you can even fit S62 with two turbos in E30 nicely;





Anyways, where're you going to locate E32 brakebooster? Isn't it originally mounted to firewall as in E30?

[oze30]

I thought that too. I think you need the E34 V8 booster. It has all the gubbins for the remote mount like yours.

heaps of space, just not enough to mount them when in the car!

[PiLLLe]

Well, today i tryed to mount the e32 brake booster and guess what it doesnt fit notthing fits I had it for today it will have to wait till tomorow got some pics just need to upload them

What do you think it's better to do, to cut the mounting bracket (aluminium) or to cut out a bit of chasy and leaving mounting bracket intact(by doing that lowering the whole unit by couple of inches)

[Jonsku]

Here's mine (not ready but you get the idea) http://users.tkk.fi/~jhaukile/29-10-2008_vivusto.html

But as said before, that's from E34, not E32.. Anyways, i cut the bracket and then got it aluminium-welded.

Now they look bit better

[oze30]

Well, today i tryed to mount the e32 brake booster and guess what it doesnt fit notthing fits I had it for today it will have to wait till tomorow got some pics just need to upload them

What do you think it's better to do, to cut the mounting bracket (aluminium) or to cut out a bit of chasy and leaving mounting bracket intact(by doing that lowering the whole unit by couple of inches)

where are you trying to mount it? it won't fit in the stock location or anywhere near there. Hence the linkages or non servo assist.

[PiLLLe]

I'm mountig it up in front With mount untouched it sits too high, so i'll cut ut a bit out, to lower the whole unit by lets say couple of inches. Right now i need 2inches of clearance for hood to fit

[Jonsku]

Ok, but still, isn't that from E34, not from E32?

Anyways, how you're going to make the linkage?

[zimmerbimmer1]

Twin Turbo S62 in an E30 thats going to be awesome Jonsku.

Please keep us posted with the build

[PiLLLe]

Ok, but still, isn't that from E34, not from E32?

Anyways, how you're going to make the linkage?

I'm going to use oem part, it just need a bit of modification I think that building one up from scratch is waste of time, time i don't have at the moment

[oze30]

jonsku used the same. Modified an OEm part.

[PiLLLe]

Hi.

Well today i had notthing to do so i looked a bit at the wiring. At first i wanted to use a intire e39 wiring, and test fitted it in the car, bit work needed here and there, bits and end needed to tie up, but it's doable. Dash will also need to be cut here and there, but that isn't a problem, the car (the wiring) could be tricked to think it is in a actual e39 shell. But problem is that i will need to use abs or to make one, or to trick the abs or something in order to make car think he is e39 (hope you understand me ) The speed signal comes from abs unit, abs unit gets it from front left speed sensor.... anyway a whole lot of work i'm not willing to do right now, since my goal is to get the car finished by the mid january.
I did some net research and all i could find is how to wire the m60 engine to an e30 wiring, but there's a catch i'm instaling a m62 engine, so my wiring is a completly something else. My engine has no motor connector (that round bmw connector), and in the e39 engine wiring goes through the firewall, ecu is placed there, couple of relays and few connecotrs that connect to car wiring, and god knows how it connected and wired in that mess of cabels, so the thing is that i don't know how will i connect everything to make it work.
First thing that came to my mind is to follow each wire and use only ones i need, but i allready know that is not possible since there are onboard computers in the way and etc....
So i was wondering if anyone of you has a wiring diagram how to connect m62 to 318i wiring?
Will be grateful for any information on how to wire, or if you have any other ideas how to solve this problem

[Andyboy]

I have an M60 manual gearbox, flywheel/clutch and the E34 V8 brake set up - available next month!