Help please - need advice re engine swaps

[SPADGE]

Hi all
I was about to embark on an M30 conversion into one of my tourings but before i start would like your input please.
I already have a 535 E34 with a lovely engine and manual box as a donor but is that the best option as regards power/torque gains balanced with price and ease of the conversion itself over an above a 325 engine?
Secondly i have 2 tourings one of which i would like to use. One is a 325 SE Auto which i would convert to manual at the same time and the other is a very late L plate manual 318i which has a slightly better body than the 325. My dilema is basicly which one would be the easiest/cheapest to do as i am not sure which parts of the 2 cars mentioned above are shared?
Any input appreciated fella's
Cheers Spadge...

[ed325i]

I would convert the 325 auto to a manual and put the m30 in the 318. like you say do a search for info on the conversion.

[SPADGE]

I would convert the 325 auto to a manual and put the m30 in the 318.

Forgot to mention i also have another touring which is a 325 manual
Colour is another issue which isn't helping as the 318 is silver and the 325 is some sort of dark blue metalic and looks lovely

[ed325i]

You only have 3 use the best one for the m30 doesnt matter if its a 325 or 318

[SPADGE]

You only have 3 use the best one for the m30 doesnt matter if its a 325 or 318

Cheers thats was my feeling to use the best body/overall car for the conversion which is without doubt the L plater!
Does a 318 use pretty much the same running gear as the 325 ie Prop etc...and i don't suppose the 318 manual box will fit the 325 by any chance??
Cheers Spadge...

[Gunni]

depends on what gearbox but you might be able to usa a auto shaft with your m30 trans,
I used a 320i prop with a m10 trans ;)

[fuzzy]

it would be best using the 325 as that would have the 51mm struts,rear disc brakes and most likely an lsd already fitted

[SPADGE]

it would be best using the 325 as that would have the 51mm struts,rear disc brakes and most likely an lsd already fitted

Hi mate
The 318 also has rear disc brakes as it is a Lux or because its a late one i don't know lol
Know a lot more about whats under your bonnet than this beemer stuff

[ed325i]

rear disc brakes

A 318 touring will have rear discs ?

You can use a e30 m3 prop for the m30 conversion.

Do a search on here and have a look on www.e30.de

[ed325i]

The 318 also has rear disc brakes as it is a Lux or because its a late one i don't know lol

You beat me to it

[fuzzy]

i didnt know 318's came with rear discs,i thought it was just 320 and 325 tourers.are you more a cossie man then?

[SPADGE]

i didnt know 318's came with rear discs,i thought it was just 320 and 325 tourers.are you more a cossie man then?

Lol i'm surprised you havn't heard my name in the cossie world mate as i was doing them for years. Been there and done it with the Cosworths though so decided to have a play with an E30 or two Problem is its a bit like learning another language and its weird being a rookie when i have over 15k posts on Passionford lol!

[jmc330i]

i didnt know 318's came with rear discs,i thought it was just 320 and 325 tourers.

All tourings have rear discs. The difference between the 4pot and 6pot touring suspension is the front springs, the struts are the same.

[Andy335Touring]

i didnt know 318's came with rear discs,i thought it was just 320 and 325 tourers.

All tourings have rear discs. The difference between the 4pot and 6pot touring suspension is the front springs, the struts are the same.

Only the 325 Touring came with M-tech suspension so the front struts are the bigger diameter ones(51mm ??).

Not sure about the ARB's though ?

Not that it matters because you will probobly want to change it for some after market sporty stuff any way for a 335.

I ran my 335 to start off with on the M-tech suspension, it wasn't bad but i wanted some thing stiffer with less roll.

[gareth]

what are you running now andy?

[Andy335Touring]

what are you running now andy?

Spax adjustable dampers and springs, i ordered Spax M3 springs because i thought they would be stiffer but the rear was to low so i used Spax saloon/Touring rear springs with the front Spax M3 springs.

It's a tad(1/2 inch) to low at the front but it rides well and looks good.

[SPADGE]

Cheers for the replies fella's!
I will indeed be buying aftermarket suspension and so the size of what is on there now is of no real consequence.
Can somebody give me a number for the place that sells the engine brackets for mounting the m30 into an e30 and give me an idea as to what they cost?
Cheers Spadge....

[ed325i]

Go to www.300mm.de and go to the engine mount section.

[SPADGE]

Go to www.300mm.de and go to the engine mount section.

How its in German

[Jhonno]

all tourings came with m-tech sus and all round discs

[ed325i]

Go to www.300mm.de and go to the engine mount section.

How its in German

E Mail Tino his e mail is 300mm@gmx.de he speaks english he will sort you out.

[Andy335Touring]

all tourings came with m-tech sus

Only the 2.5, ask Argos

[Jhonno]

Brianmoore reckons all im sure of it..

[ivqii]

Our resident engine swop expert stevetigger will answer all your q's - even the ones you havnt asked yet - when he starts posting again

[gareth]

the M-tech stuff is imho too soft for real performance and this is aggrevated by any heavier engines fitted. though in my case i started with a heavy tourer then dropped in the M30 so it's a worst-case jobbie