Swap M20 for an M30?

[Paynts]

My brother has an M30 engine from a M535i, is it worth swapping my M20 engine out of my 325 i track day car
my M20 currently has throttle bodies and a 6 branch and gives 169hp at the wheels
is the M30 much heavier? and will it be an easy swap
my only reason for thinking of it, is that the M30 already has 210 hp and loads more torque whereas to get 210 plus and good torque from my m20 is going to require a ETA engine block I think
Any ideas?

[FormerMember]

I wouldn't swap it to a track day car, M30 is ~50kg heavier than M20 and that's a lot in a track car...

Swap itself is easy, you just need E34 oilpan and oilpump, motor mounts (for example from www.300mm.de) and E28 535 radiator. And depending on gearbox you need driveshaft to be shortened.

You can find lots of info on www.e30.de / "335"

[ed325i]

the M30 already has 210 hp

Yes when it was new, most will need a re build.

[beefy]

if you have an engine from a 5 series it will go straight in no need for the oil pan change. In position 3 the 5 series rad will fit.

And yeah shortened prop will be needed.

I can supply the mounts for £100

[Paynts]

Well after some enthusiastic driving at bedford with the oil light coming on and off round the bends something let go in the bottom of the engine!!!! So I think it might be the 2.7 rebuild if I can find one!!

[charlE30]

if you have an engine from a 5 series it will go straight in no need for the oil pan change. In position 3 the 5 series rad will fit.

And yeah shortened prop will be needed.

I can supply the mounts for £100

The earlier engines (E28) do require the E34 sump and oil pump to clear the front subframe/steering rack or it'll sit to high.