M30 into E30??

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:05 am

Obviously it can be done... How much of a PITA is it tho? I have an E34 535i at the moment, but would be interested in getting a cheap E30 to do an engine swap. Does it matter which E30 I go for, or can I just get a cheap 316??

Any info greatfully appreciated!!

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:17 am

Best to go for a 6 cylinder chassis, if there is such a thing !!!

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:19 am

See this link... perfect base car for your conversion!

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=20813

Giles.

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:21 am

Geeman wrote:See this link... perfect base car for your conversion!

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=20813

Giles.

Just the job.......

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:21 am

all E30 shells are the same I think, with the exception of M3.

Rule of thumb is to get yourself as tidy a car as possible for as little as possible, so a late 316 would be ideal, however the 325 came with the disc brakes on the rear whereas the lesser models had drums, so if you go for a 325 all the morsels will be there but if you get a 316 etc then you will be into repacing rear arms with disc set up plus the front struts etc on 316 are not as large.

Trouble is finding a decent 325 which isn't rotten or costs the earth. All bits are interchangeable though.

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:21 am

chassis are the same 4 or 6 pot

325i has all round discs and better suspension/antiroll bar setup

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:33 am

Cheers for the swift reply guys! So it looks like I could do with a 325 then... That ebay link looks just the ticket... Shame its in Glasgow - I live in Devon!!

I was reading that there are several different options regarding mounting positions... any info on this? Has someone done this conversion, and done a write up about it somewhere.??

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:33 am

E30BeemerLad wrote:all E30 shells are the same I think, with the exception of M3.
so a late 316 would be ideal, however the 325 came with the disc brakes on the rear whereas the lesser models had drums, so if you go for a 325 all the morsels will be there but if you get a 316 etc then you will be into repacing rear arms with disc set up plus the front struts etc on 316 are not as large.

Thats the bit i was after !!!!

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:34 am

godfather wrote:Cheers for the swift reply guys! So it looks like I could do with a 325 then... That ebay link looks just the ticket... Shame its in Glasgow - I live in Devon!!

I was reading that there are several different options regarding mounting positions... any info on this? Has someone done this conversion, and done a write up about it somewhere.??

something like www.e30.de i think

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:40 am

Karan on the board can get engine mounts for position 2 or 3

1 is quite far back and requires bulkead modification iirc

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:20 pm

huh?

1 is all the way forward Dan

don't confuse the bloke, just let him look on e30.de!

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:23 pm

mr Godfather - two people of the forum have done the conversion as a DIY prospect without spending a fortune - myself and Andy335touring. click on search, there have been a lot of topics on this posted before and i've written it out too many times!

i am however more than happy to help with specific questions!! it's just that this must have been asked ten or fifteen times already!

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:24 pm

Yeah cheers, just found the writeup in english... much easier to understand than the german version!!!

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:25 pm

shit - wrong way round!!!

i am a dumbass sometimes

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:56 pm

So what works best? I am thinking engine position 2, because of the fact there is little modification to do, and also i can use the radiator from an e32..?

What are you running Toby?

Just how straightforward is this to do? I am not a mechanic, I don't have many tools, or even a workshop... My plan is to get someone else to do the work, I just need to be able to convince them its not going to be a complete PITA...

Post Fri Oct 28, 2005 7:48 pm

I'm using the E30.de mounts in P3 which i have found out is very close to the postion Alpina used on there B6(M30 powered E30).

I'm not sure how easy the E32 rad is to mount but the E28 535 is very easy.

Theres a few pictures of the swap on here

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.law47/33 ... uring.html

Post Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:41 pm

Does anyone know if you can use a E30 M3 prop shaft when using position 3 ?

ED

Post Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:20 pm

think its only good for position 1

Post Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:30 pm

I don't know for sure about the M3 prop and the e30.de mounts on P3 but Toby has an m3 prop on his, his position is some where between 2 and 3 on home made mounts.

I've got the e30.de mounts on P3 but the prop was done by Reco-prop, rear half is E30 front half is E34 M30.