E30 Zone

My friend is about to undertake this conversion, i know its possible but how hard is it going to be?

Cheers

Brakes are the biggest hassle along with the exhaust manifolds. The engine and box can be dropped in in 1 hit. Best to remove the steering coupling though.

Brakes wise, i ditched the whole servo assist setup and went with 2 m/c. You could mount the servo off the pedal ontop of the battery tray, but this was just easier. The shift linkage needs to be shortened and this can be a ball ache. Prop, many choices, e30 M3, or anything with a length of 1450mm or there abouts.

Exhaust- custom as it comes off the N/S manifold and comes round the box. It will join up just after the gearbox. BUT ditch the cats (I havent yet, but will soon enough)

Extend your fuel lines and if you don't want to use spacers between the subframe and steering joint, then you'll have tp ditch the triangle header tank and extend the hoses to the front where the 325 header tank fits on the wing.

Airbox/filter can be a bit of fun to work out. I'm still looking for a filter with a neck of approx 90mm.

Cooling, I've got an e28 m535 rad with the A/C condensor and elec fan keeping things cool.

Fuel wise, It's not that bad (M60B40) Last full tank did 215m till the light came on, and that was giving it death quite a few times at Aces and on the way down. I ws getting worse economy from my M30B35!

gearing, I'm using a 3.15 LSD, but pending how many motorway miles you do, a 2.93 could be better or anything lower still.

Performance, unofficial OBC time with a gentle-ish start gave me a 6.1sec 0-60mph

Weight wise.. It's pretty much balanced contrary to popular belief, in a touring that is. I moved the battery to the rear and its quite neutral.

Hope this helps!

oze30, I was just reading your interesting post here.. Im really interested in doing an E30 V8 sometime, using a BMW lump of course.
The search function here doesnt appear to return much on "V8" so I was wondering if you might be able to direct me to a few resources/posts that document the conversion? I've had a good rummage through the forums here the past couple of days and not found so much regarding the V8 BMW lumps. In fact I think I found more info on shoehorning in the V12! Im really not interested in the V12 however though.. But very keen on the V8.

No real issues with doing this on RHD cars I presume?

Thanks in advance for help and info

Mines RHD, but the only thing is, the manifolds are a pain. I managed to get my V8 already in an e30 and just transplanted the lot. Had to change a few things as they didn't work.

Brakes can be made to work, but it all depends on how you want to route/work them. They actually drop in easier than an M30 Not many people have done the M60/M62. Look up bigdek (author) in the engine swaps.

Else, just ask!

E30.de has some good info, you just need to translate it into english though!

Oz...Is yours a black tourer ?

oze30 wrote:Brakes can be made to work

Well that's good news then!

Luap wrote: The search function here doesnt appear to return much on "V8" so I was wondering if you might be able to direct me to a few resources/posts that document the conversion? I've had a good rummage through the forums here the past couple of days and not found so much regarding the V8 BMW lumps

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... pic&t=2882

glenn wrote:

Luap wrote: The search function here doesnt appear to return much on "V8" so I was wondering if you might be able to direct me to a few resources/posts that document the conversion? I've had a good rummage through the forums here the past couple of days and not found so much regarding the V8 BMW lumps

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... pic&t=2882

Thanks glenn.. By the time you posted that link, I had actually already just finished reading the entire thread! oze30 tipped me off on what to search for, so then i found lots of info including your amazing thread. Very impressed I am too

A question or 2 if I may though.. Is it just 6 speed manual boxes that are a sod to source for a conversion like this? Are 5 speeds more readily available? Im not really fussed about cog count you see.

Another gearbox question.. If a 4.0 V8 is used, then im sure its enough oomph for an E30, even if the auto box was retained from the donor. If thats possible(?), then I would think the E30 project car should be an auto too? Or does that not matter?

Just putting a mental shopping list together you see ;) Having said that, as much as i'd like to do this, I don't think its something I could do myself. Unlike an M30/50 swap which I think I could tackle. But at present, im set on a V8.

Thanks again in advance for words of wisdom folks

You should be able to find a 5 speed from a M60B30 easily enough.

5 speed are easily (read more common) than the 6 speed. Last 6 speed I was watching in german ebay went for close to 1000 GPB. Auto box could be made to work. I don't see why not. I was thinking of trying to mate a steptronic auto and have the almost best of both worlds.
As far as pedal boxes go, It's not that difficult to swap out. I think it's 7 13mm bolts and 2 13mm nuts plus the clutch M/C and brake linkage.

I started as a 2.5, thought about a 2,7 (which is still sat in my old garage) then a 3.5 and now a 4.0 V8. I should have gone the big jump to start, but they were hard to find.

Kam, yeah.. black touring.Going to take some better pics of it after a wash!

oze30 wrote: As far as pedal boxes go, It's not that difficult to swap out. I think it's 7 13mm bolts and 2 13mm nuts plus the clutch M/C and brake linkage.

the pedal boxes are the same for auto and manual.

on the manual, the clutch pedal sits on the outside of the pedal box and uses a longer bolt that holds/hinges the brake pedal.

on auto's the brake pedal foot area is larger, so you can either cut it down to fit the rubber off a manual, or, fit a manual brake pedal.

Hey glenn!

This is what it looks like once in.

excellent colin.
good idea with the brakes.

go alright?

yeah. Need to lose the cats and sort out my LPG wiring Brakes need setting up properly, rear locks slightly under VERY hard braking, but acceptable and not bad doing it by Mk1 eyeball!!

I've got a Green Cotton filter on it, Bit better than the stock airbox- which won't fit!

Glenn,

Do you know the pipe size of the exhaust you used? Could I use an E36 M3 pipework/rearbox?

oze30 wrote:Glenn,

Do you know the pipe size of the exhaust you used? Could I use an E36 M3 pipework/rearbox?

iirc i used two 70mm pipes, but the engine was 5 litres.
i would have guessed e36 m3 pipework would be fine

Cool. Im trying to get a decent exhaust up and runing as the cats are WAAAY too low. Do you know off by hand if the e36 routing will fit under an e30? It looks pretty similar.???

Them cats are huge aint they an weigh a fair bit as well . Glad to see its mobile m8

I got a e46 M3 centre section forsale. The cats on the e46 M3's are at the front so can easily be missed out.

I'd love to see someone do the M62 conversion. My GF's car has the 6 speed/4.4l in an E39 shell and its a beast even with 1600kg to lug around. In an E30 it would be a total monster. If we write it off, I'll be straight on here to get it reshelled into an E30

Let your GF do some reversing

im lost here.... are u using brakes from 540 or 740?

maxel wrote:im lost here.... are u using brakes from 540 or 740?

Neither. I'm running twin tilton M/C with no servo assist and e30 M3 brakes all round