E30 Zone

Just bought an e30 318i and am looking to do an engine swap but am on a fairly low budget, so which is the best engine to use??
I've been told the 318is is good but can you use the existing transmission etc??

M20B25, buy a scrap 325i for a few hundred quid, what you dont use can be sold or weighed in

1 x tin of worms open

1 x box of popcorn, at the ready

LOL, not yet-only bought it last week

Best off going for the 325 swap, what is your budget?

Cavs wrote:LOL, not yet-only bought it last week

I dont think you know where this topic is gonna go bud you'll see what I mean after a few more people reply

secondtimelucky wrote:1 x tin of worms open

1 x box of popcorn, at the ready

What flavour?

It depends what 318 you have bought, if it is a touring (estate) then it will already have the 2.5 spec suspension and brakes so all it will need for a 2.5 swap in that respect is some 6 cylinder rated front springs and a good check of all the bushes.

If it's any other 318 then for a cheap conversion you really are limited to the IS engine and even then upgradeing the suspension and brakes would be a good idea.


Obviously 6 pots rule though

Fitting an M42 would be the cheapest and easiest bet. You should already have the correct ratio diff (reference the zone wikki) 4.10 and the gearbox is near identical (so I have read) so it's just the engine and loom etc you'll be needing.

An engion swop is never cheep unless you are pritty handy with a spanner. If you won't a faster e30 then sell up and bye one. Only real exemptions are if your shell is minter than mint or you won't a masive or modern engion. M30 3.5 M50 2.5 16v or M52 2.8 16 v

24v

Sorry yep 24 valves. Can you tell I drive a 4 pot

Question must be asked,if you wanted a bigger engined E30,why did you buy a 318 instead of a 325?
Much cheaper to start with the car you really wanted!

Cos it. Was really cheap and 90% rust free. It's a touring so that's a good start

M30!





Well, someone had to!

We'll naw it has started

M42 M42 M42

Not that I thinnk it is realy worth it

we need to know a few things CAV like budget
how handy you are with a spanner etc ???
then we can give correct information for the engine conversion which would suit your needs
IMPO i would go 24v M52 fo the laymans out there
that is a 2.8 24v out of a E36
HTH
Ben

With it being a touring it will already have uprated suspension. Just engine swap

Like Ben said, what is your budget?

ImysE30: I just fell over laughin at your sig video, mint!!!!!

I'm pretty handy with my tools etc, can do most things-rebuilt and transplanted engines in capris and sierras, not too up on the electrics.
Not got a budget in mind yet, just need good bhp to the ££

m50/m52 would be the way forward imo for bhp/£££

+1 f you are after the best bang fir buck so to speek go for m50/52

DRIFTBOY wrote:M30!





Well, someone had to!

TURBO M30!!