Putting a 535i engine into an e30 316/8i?, advice please :)

[djsdontshareneedles]

Well, i'm just wondering whether it's a valid dream or not really. I'm not particularly technically minded but fortunately i've got a guy (mechanic) who welds etc for mates rates, and i've been offered a 1988 535i sport in good nick for a steal (with an auto box though, and i want manual).

I've got a few questions (and please feel free to tell me about anything im not seeing. What chassis/car would i need to find?, i was hoping for a true sleeper, a stock 316 look or somenthing similar. Would the chassis be strong enough? Would the engine fit?, and if so im presuming i would have to change gearbox/clutch and the ancilleries. And how would i go about getting a diff sorted?.
I know i would have to upgrade brakes and suspension, and tbh i'd like that!. Would it be elligible for classic insurance? (23, driving for 5 years with 4 years ncb).
And would it be reliable? (presuming that the engine is reliable), im not worried about economy at all really.
Basically i'm trying to find out exactly what this swap entails, i'd like it to be as reliable and bad-ass as possible!, but also as cheap as chips!.. I think i might be dreaming?.

Regards, Ben.

[Toby_Unna]

hi. click on search and have a look there. this gets posted about once a day at the moment! and i can't be bothered to type out a whole page of info again!

very happy to help with specific questions/issues! i seem to have made most of the mistakes already

[Jon_Bmw]

I was starting to wonder when you might get bored of answering the 535 question Toby, i got my answer this evening.lol. Dj.......... look in the engine swap section or as Toby said do a search!

[djsdontshareneedles]

Righteo, i've had a good read through, and a few links to other sites, and if i got it right, it aint all that simple, and there are various ways to mount the engine etc. Being as i'm gonna be paying someone else to do all of the work it's gonna get really expensive really quick .
Are there any engine/gearbox combos that go into the e30 as a straight swap?.
Sorry for my unintelligent questions, but as i said im not too technically minded, but the worst thing i ever did as far as cars go was to sell my e36. But i always wanted an e30!, so here i am..

[Jon_Bmw]

but the best thing i ever did as far as cars go was to sell my e36.

Thats quite correct dear fellow, who would want a shed like that on their drive

its not an easy job mate, 3 engine position choices numerous other things to think about, not for the faint hearted. And yes garages will charge loads of Ԛ£Ã”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£Ãƒ”šÃ‚£'s and how do you know if they have done a good job.

[djsdontshareneedles]

well indeedy, but the 325i just isnt quick ehough (nor the sport), and theres no way i can afford an m3 e30, or at least not to run it, plus i'm not living in the best area at the moment (student place). There goes my dream of a nice e30 sleeper ...

[Brianmoooore]

2.7 M20 conversion drops straight in, or M50/M52 of various capacities aren't too hard to do.(Engine etc drops straight in with appropriate bits - just fouls a few things around the engine.)