E30 Zone

Hey guys

So.. ive been pondering on an engine conversion.
Vehicle is an e46 330ci Auto, Convertible.
I have done a bit of research over the subject. Possible conversions include M60B44 and Ls1 V8 motors.
Im interested to know if anyone has done a conversion, gone through the subframe and electronic nightmares and has info to share.
Also, if any ideas over better donor engines v8 or v10, please share.

An m54 swap would make a good conversion. A few folks on some of the yankee e30 forums have done them. I'm not sure how well it would fit, engine mounts, steering pipes, prop length issues ect.

I would deem a v8 or v10 swap as expensive and pointless, sure they make lots of power but the e30 chassis won't put any of it down onto the road, just light tyres up. The cars they come from use stability control systems to monitor and deliver the power, which your conversion won't.

Plus the m60 is 40kg heavier than the m54, it will throw off the cars chassis balance, it will not handle well. Heavy front end and light back end, not good.

M60 210kg

M54 170kg

The v10 engines weigh around 245kg.!

Hi mate, thanks for the feedback.
I notice, you are looking at it from the perspective of an e30 chasis. (is that a typo?)
The engine will be going onto an e46 chasis.
It seems that the m60 and ls1 v8's have been successfully done (by the yanks).

What are your thoughts?

Don't waste your time and money . Sell your E46 and buy an E46 M3 or buy a car with a V8 . Monaros are available for less money than the conversion will cost if done PROPERLY and they come with a LS engine as standard and as a result are very tuneable.

Almost every forum that discusses such conversions seems to have the same thought.
Pacer, i understand that youre giving sensible advice. But, there is a number of these conversions out there. Would be interested to know what the actual end cost of these successful conversion was.

Right now, we going on theory that the price will be through the roof.

Ls1 engine and gearbox with a guarantee =£4000+
Manifold and exhaust to suit =£1500+
Labour to fit =£7000+

Why bother.

jonb wrote:Ls1 engine and gearbox with a guarantee =£4000+
Manifold and exhaust to suit =£1500+
Labour to fit =£7000+

Why bother.

If thats the cost, then thats the end of this dream!

Job jobbed and some money left over for petrol



http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 06/2006591

Fair play you can get a traditional v8 for 8k, but its not a BMW.
Im not really keen on those.

SStuart wrote:Fair play you can get a traditional v8 for 8k, but its not a BMW.
Im not really keen on those.

Most Monaro owners wouldn't stoop to a 330 cab

pacerpete wrote:

SStuart wrote:Fair play you can get a traditional v8 for 8k, but its not a BMW.
Im not really keen on those.

Most Monaro owners wouldn't stoop to a 330 cab

Haha true!
Wasnt trying to say ive got a better cab, or be snobish.
Just a matter of opionion i suppose.



Thats what im talking about!!

Ah you want to put a V8 in an E46? Sorry I assumed it was for e30.!

I wouldn't bother with the hassle of fitting a V8 to an e46, the gains aren't worth the money.

I have a 330Ci Sport, if I wanted more power I wouldn't bother with the hassle of swapping to a BMW V8 engine as the 4.4 m60 only puts out 286bhp.

A few thousand pounds for 55bhp upgrade? Nah, I'd just go out and buy an e46 M3 and be done with it. You can pick one up for around 5k these days.

The Monaro is much better then a wobbley e46 cab.

you thought of a supercharger kit for the 330?

I think id rather buy the whole Monaro, it might be a vaux turd but they sound fo oking epic!!!

Its would be cooler badged a Holden.

Ive looked at supercharging the 330. The cost v gain doesnt make sense.
Ive always preferred the facelift e46 2006. So if i go for an m3, it would have to be E9X?
Did more searching last night, it seems that a few people in europe have done successful transplants.

Another example:


Sure, the m60 may be 286bhp, but the torque is much more than the 330. Go on to turbo or supercharge it, and you have an animal on your hands.

I guess at the end of the day, all the indications are that the cost and hassle do not match the gains.

Side thought:
Anyone seen the Hartge H50 3 series v8. They did it! but it costs over 100k.

Ls engine is good idea,here is one of e46 with LS engine from latvia,this is old car,now they build some much better,more info www.hgkracing.com