E30 M3 S38B38 conversion

Post Thu Jul 08, 2010 8:34 pm

hi, i bought my e30 M3 this week and i am planning the e34 3.8 engine conversion later on this month as i have a spare engine laying about, would anybody be able to give me some ideas on witch engine mount may fit best or just some basics on the conversion.

i also will have the rest of the running gear for sale in a couple of weeks for example s14 enigne, dogleg box LSD... if anybody is interested

Many thanks ash @ quarry

Post Thu Jul 08, 2010 8:41 pm

Hi get the mounts from 300mm.de

Ate you using the m5 box the rest is close to an m30 swap for which there are several threads

Jason

Post Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:18 pm

hi yes im using the m5 5 speed gear box in the conversion do you know anybody who has already done the conversion?

Ash

Post Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:34 pm

One off the guys local to me has done but he not on the zone

Jason

Post Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:41 pm

hi i know this sounds really cheeky but you wouldnt be able to find out if he run into any problems with it would you, sorry for been a pain

ash

Post Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:43 pm

Theres a Zoner on here with a red touring who's running one too.

Post Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:03 am

Hartge did this conversion and was called the H36-24V although they used the S38B36.

The bulk head may need some massaging and the exhaust manifold may need modding.

I think you also need to use an E28 535i/M535i rad and the E30 M3's electric fan.

Also the E30 M3 prop.

Post Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:11 am

Im sure the subframe has to be lowered too, cant remember why though.

Was it Karan who did this swap

Post Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:15 am

It was

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... sc&start=0

Post Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:18 am

Yeah the engine is just a bit too tall for the E30 engine bay, so you either need to lower the subframe relative to the body, or make a custom sump.

Or if you want to look really sad, a bonnet with a bulge/scoop in the necessary place.

Post Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:47 am

www.e30.de and www.pure-pf.com have many S38 powered E30's featured so you'll see from the pics how they're made..

300mm.de sells engine mounts as mentioned earlier, E28 M30 radiator should be fitted.

You could also use the S14 dogleg gearbox, though the ratios could be a bit short for the S38.

Post Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:41 pm

You could also use the S14 dogleg gearbox, though the ratios could be a bit short for the S38.

Depends what final drive ratio you have.

Post Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:05 am

Theo325 wrote:
You could also use the S14 dogleg gearbox, though the ratios could be a bit short for the S38.
Depends what final drive ratio you have.

Of course, but in the dogleg box 5th gear is 1:1 whereas in 280 the 5th is something around 0,8:1, so the total ratio will always be shorter with dogleg. In a big engine where power comes in very wide area, the longer ratios are usually much better and usable.

Post Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:00 am

Saying gear ratios aren't suitable for an engine doesn't really make any sense, their suitability is entirely down to the final drive ratio. The 262cr has much nicer ratios compared to the 280 and given the choice I would always prefer it. The M3 already has a suitable final drive ratio (3.25:1) if using the 262cr with your S38.

For what it's worth my S38 has an overdrive box fitted to it with a 3.73:1 final drive.