Complete Novice Engine Conversion...

[Jim320i]

I'm just thinking to myself, would it be worth pulling the engine out of my 318i and replacing it with something bigger and newer once I have finished with it over the winter.

I just brought it so I could take my chromie off the road, but once the good weather comes back, she'll be off the road again.

Its a good solid shell so I already have that.


What sort of prices am I looking at for putting something more juicy in? I'm not talking m20b25... Something newer.


I'm an auto man too (Lazy...) so whats the best engine with an auto box for speed/performance etc.


And finally, I have never done anything this big before, by all means, I would give it a good shot and learn along the way, but what sort of prices would I be looking at for someone doing the work for me?

And what sort of prices am I looking at for all the conversion etc.


Any help is good help.

[ImysE30]

Depends on what engine, something like a V8 auto

M50 or M52 i'd say if you want something newer depending on what your budget is.

[Phill172]

Iv got a complete M50 conversion, rad, engine, box, mounts, wiring, prop, the lot coming out of a car very soon, swap it in a afternoon

[Jim320i]

Iv got a complete M50 conversion, rad, engine, box, mounts, wiring, prop, the lot coming out of a car very soon, swap it in a afternoon

It an auto? How much for it all and fitted?

I dont really have a budget just yet, something I need to think about once I know the basic prices kinda thing... Would love to do it myself, but might be worth just paying someone to sort it and then I know its done, and hopefully well...

[leeparkes]

If i was sticking with an auto id shove an M60 V8 in there.

[Jim320i]

If i was sticking with an auto id shove an M60 V8 in there.

Sounds like something I would like. Anyone got one on her in an auto or manual? Any advise or tips etc... What kinda power you getting from it etc etc

[Cook318IS]

I've not heard of auto m50's in e30s before if im honest. i think lee is right with shoving a v8 in if you want an auto though. I dont think its as easy as an m50 swap mind!

[leeparkes]

They kick out around 280hp, Willnz has an auto one.

[Jim320i]

I dont mind something thats a bit of work, aslong as I can get the help, or get someone to fit it... Has to be an auto though as I am really not that into gears... I can drive with them, just choose not too. I didnt think many conversion would be auto either as that kinda thing is usually done by a manual driver.

Would be nice to have something different.



Love your sig cook318is, what colour red is that? Looks amazing.

[Cook318IS]

cheers bud, it's brilliant red but it tends to look more like henna red in my sig

[leeparkes]

M30 swap is easy and plenty donor cars are auto.

[Jim320i]

M30 swap is easy and plenty donor cars are auto.

What sort of performance do they give out then? Just in a manual etc? I can go from there with a ball park for the auto model then. And what are they priced at? (Will be looking on Ebay after anyway but any help is welcome, any offers are good too!)

[leeparkes]

Book figures are 218hp but they have a huge torque curve that peaks at around 230ftlb

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-BMW-535-SE-A ... 1c163ede2d

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-BMW-535-SE-A ... 4aa569d284

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-535i-AUTO-/22 ... 3361c27e09

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-BMW-735-SE-A ... 1c16598294

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1987-BMW-735-SE-A ... 2a0aef00ba

[Jim320i]

Loads cheaper than I thought, plus I should be able to make my money back when fragging the rest of it, in theory? Anything I should look out for when searching for one? What size Engine would I be after?

[Jim320i]

Would an M73 fit in?

240 kW (326 hp) @ 5000 490 N·m (361 ft·lbf) @ 3900 6000 1994


... Lots of Bhp...

[leeparkes]

The 5.0 V12

It can be done but i wouldnt like to tackle it.

[Jim320i]

See... Thats the reaction I would like, when speaking about it, or even mentioning the size of the engine. It just doesnt should right to be in a E30.

Know of anyone who has done it?

[glenn]

Know of anyone who has done it?

yep, me........

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=26426

[Jim320i]

Know of anyone who has done it?

yep, me........

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=26426

My new best friend...


Gonna start reading through your thread but thought I would post back first.

How difficult was it? Was there any major modifications to the car itself for it to fit and work?

What price does it stand you at and how long did it take?

Would you be willing to do it again?


Like the title says, i'm a novice at this, but if i'm gonna jump in, I may aswell go for the deep and and drownd first time.

Also, what performance do you get from it? mpg, top speed, bhp, torque, etc etc etc...

I'm actually rushing so I can start reading your thread!

[daimlerman]

Auto -box in the spec is the problem here,E30 tunnel is not very wide.
Nothing is impossible given enough time,effort and cash..but...

I asked Andyboy about using an autobox when I built my touring,he suggested that the only one that would fit the tunnel was the M40 type autobox,but expressed doubts about how long it would last with two and a half times as much grunt going through it!

[Jim320i]

Just read through it now as towards the end there was mention of the autobox on that engine wouldnt fit...


So, my question is/are...

What Engine with Auto box will fit?

Whats the best perforamance I will get from which engine?

What is the cheapest conversion to do?

Whats the price of one of you crazy zoners doing it for me?

==================

@Daimler, what engine went in your touring?


I also notice alot of these engine conversions are on tourings, any reason for that or is it just because its cool to hjave a fast touring these days?

[daimlerman]

M50 engine in my touring,Getrang 240 manual'box(ex M40)

Tourings are cheap,practical and attract less unwanted attention from those who drive cars with flashing lights.'88-90 model years seem to be the best built,my '88 has almost zero rust,the '93 I sold on was riddled with the stuff.

As I said above,the request for an auto-box is your problem.Most new cars these days are FWD,so cannot donate their auto-box,most RWD cars are much wider than E30,so a short,wide unit is less of a problem.

Nothing is impossible to a determined guy with plenty of cash and the time and will to experiment,but why fit an autobox with all of it's inherent reliability issues when there are a selection of good,strong manual 'boxes that just about drop straight in?

I've now had two goes at building my 'perfect' E30,the touring is comprimised toward being practical rather than fun,and the cabbie is comprimised toward being fun whilst not completely practical!

[Jim320i]

I'm just not a fan of gears to be honest... Thats why i'm after the auto conversion. Fuel consumption isnt an issue either so even if its thirsty, that doesnt matter...

Cash flow would be steady on the project so obviously not everything in one go, but over time I dont mind how much it costs, just aslong as its a good car at the end of it.

It doesnt need to be a road car either, just a project I can trailer to any events I fancy taking it too etc. My road car is the chromie and its all I need while on the public roads. Not a fan of driving quick with other people on the road as its just not safe. Plus the chromie is cool as cool as it is.

[Jim320i]

Just thinking, and I would probably like it still to be a road car... Looking at 300bhp+

With all the questions above, what am I looking at?

I mean, I don't mind going down the m20b25 route but can I get 300bhp+ from one of them?

And at what cost as I'm assuming it would be turbo'd to get that and I know turbo kits dont come cheap... ?