E30 Zone

Has anyone done an e36 with a 3.5 m30?

Just throwing around a few ideas - is it possible - is it much the same as an e30 swap?

Anythings possible

Why? is the question!

Simon13 wrote:Why? is the question!

Thats the only question that can be asked

Why would you want to do that conversion???

Rav335uk wrote:Why would you want to do that conversion???

Not wrong there rav, their crap engines aren't they! Needs more valves tbh!

Cook318IS wrote:

Rav335uk wrote:Why would you want to do that conversion???

Not wrong there rav, their crap engines aren't they! Needs more valves tbh!

Cook318IS wrote:

Rav335uk wrote:Why would you want to do that conversion???

Not wrong there rav, their crap engines aren't they! Needs more valves tbh!

Cheeky fecker.
I was going along the lines as Leave the M30 to us M20 boys and go with a M5* shitter

Or on the other hand, maybe he's seen sense in putting a "Proper" engine in.

Rav335uk wrote:

Cook318IS wrote:

Rav335uk wrote:Why would you want to do that conversion???

Not wrong there rav, their crap engines aren't they! Needs more valves tbh!

Cheeky fecker.
I was going along the lines as Leave the M30 to us M20 boys and go with a M5* shitter

You're quote looks at home in my signature Put an m50/2 engine in there, one of us could still use it as a donor car

I was just toying with the idea of using a cheap touring (been offered one)but using the torque and low end grunt of the spare m30 setup I have in my shed

Cook318IS wrote:

Rav335uk wrote:

Cook318IS wrote: Not wrong there rav, their crap engines aren't they! Needs more valves tbh!

Cheeky fecker.
I was going along the lines as Leave the M30 to us M20 boys and go with a M5* shitter

You're quote looks at home in my signature Put an m50/2 engine in there, one of us could still use it as a donor car

Brilliant!!!!

Mr B, go on and do it, it's a good engine and box, it's outlasted all these plastic dolled up M5*'s up to now.

Baurluvva wrote:I was just toying with the idea of using a cheap touring (been offered one)but using the torque and low end grunt of the spare m30 setup I have in my shed

just buy a 328i touring, cheap and a better car in everyway to an M30 abortion would be

I can see the attraction, but only because I too have an E36 touring and a spare M30! But really, it's a daft idea.

A custom sump & oil pick up would be needed for starters, that'll blow a big hole in the budget !

tomson wrote:A custom sump & oil pick up would be needed for starters, that'll blow a big hole in the budget !

Or maybe the e28 sump would work (or modded to work)

Might have trouble shutting the bonnet too

Not a bad idea for the fun factor but personally i wouldn't

Ive seen build threads of m60's going in an e36 though, one was a compact

leeparkes wrote:

tomson wrote:A custom sump & oil pick up would be needed for starters, that'll blow a big hole in the budget !

Or maybe the e28 sump would work (or modded to work)

In an E36 the sump bulge is at the back of the engine, I cant think of an M30 engined BMW that is designed this way. They are all like E30's with the bulge at the front akaik...

as much as i do like the M30, the work involved is more than a little pointless when the M52B28 would drop in, or easier buy a 328i with the engine in already.

in fact, scratch that and just buy a E36 M3

gareth wrote:in fact, scratch that and just buy a E36 M3

I'll second that they are a fantastic car in every way except miles per gallon!

sump issues make it a no go! it was just a thought...

tomson wrote:

leeparkes wrote:

tomson wrote:A custom sump & oil pick up would be needed for starters, that'll blow a big hole in the budget !

Or maybe the e28 sump would work (or modded to work)

In an E36 the sump bulge is at the back of the engine, I cant think of an M30 engined BMW that is designed this way. They are all like E30's with the bulge at the front akaik...

iirc E28 M30 sump is at the back


If your now selling the M30 i know someone who may be interested.

It's a bit of a pointless conversion, TBH...

A M30b35 makes around 218bhp, but is a heavy old lump...
The M52b28 makes 192bhp stock, but a M50 manifold and remap gives 220bhp ish...for a lot less hassle and cost...It also weighs a fair bit less than the M30

If you want more power, then US M3 cams or aftermarket ones can give 250bhp from a stock bottom end M52...

If you want more power, buy an E36 M3...cheap as chips at the moment.

leeparkes wrote:
If your now selling the M30 i know someone who may be interested.

I was just toying with the idea......

I have the M30 engine, manual box etc as a spare for my baur....... but might be convinced to part with it - if the price was right!!

it would make sense if you were going to stick a blower on it though....

I'm liking the S50 e36 touring idea, not heard of many being done

Simon13 wrote:I'm liking the S50 e36 touring idea, not heard of many being done

Agreed, there was one on ebay recently, I think it went for about 2.5k - a good price I thought...

leeparkes wrote:iirc E28 M30 sump is at the back

well I have no experiance with M30'd E28's tbh but I've had a few M20'd E28's and its at the front, engine is the same as an E30...