M30 conversion guide - WIP; input required!

[Theo]

316 = M10
316i = M40

[zaust]

Anyone know if I can use the a/c switch on the thremos houseing to operate the elec fan ??

[Rav335uk]

Don't know, i used an M20 one on the thermos housing.
Not sure if the A/C one will work.

[scottidog]

Got an ace donor car but its an auto. Anyone used an auto box? Any pics, info?

Scottidog

[ImysE30]

MJX**** has a M30 auto in his E30 (from a E32). It's a white cab.

Thought about looking for a manual box? You could use the M10 box and prop that Kedge has for sale as well

[scottidog]

yeah i considered an m10 box, i like the way the auto drives though. Think would be really cool in a tourer.

[ImysE30]

This is his thread, he bought it fitted with the M30:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

[Kedge]

Can anyone tell me which M10 gearboxes fit as no one had told me not all M10 gearboxes fit, just want to mkae sure mine is ok.

Cheers

[scottidog]

does anyone have any info or pics of how they have arranged their wiring/ecu's ect? would be keen to see how everyone else has done their as i have a few methods in mind.

[leeparkes]

does anyone have any info or pics of how they have arranged their wiring/ecu's ect? would be keen to see how everyone else has done their as i have a few methods in mind.

Pictures that might help you are in here (pages 5 & 7)

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... &start=100

[scottidog]

ok so got everything i need from the e32. Can anyone tell me which parts of the m20 engine mounts i need? Do i need to legs that actually bolt to the block of just the rubber mounting bits?

Scottidog

[Ziggy]

Just the rubber mounts - you need to replace the metal bits with some from e30.de or an equivalent.

[scottidog]

anyone got any of these mounts? how much ya want for them?

[leeparkes]

P.M. Beefy on here

£100 +post

[scottidog]

Cheers guys.

[scottidog]

Hi guys, would you be able to let me know which radiators work please, a list would be nice so i can go to bone yard and look whats available, Cheers, Scott.

[Rav335uk]

Your M20 rad will do the job, Lee has still got his origional one in there, or an e34 rad, or if your in the mood for emptying your pockets, an E28 M535i rad.

[scottidog]

removed an m40 engine so will have to find a rad and i guess brackets as well.

[Rav335uk]

Yes mate, but not sure if you might be able to use that????

[scottidog]

the m40 rad has the expansion bottle built on the side of the rad so dont think so???

[Ziggy]

Pretty much any radiator will 'work' - but an m40 one will be woefully undersized. Some people run 325i rads with no reported problems, but for peace of mind a new m535i rad is a good use of money IMO. Better clearance than with an E34 rad, but still massive

[Rav335uk]

My E34 rad has about 2mm clearnce from the dizzy cap, whereas the E28 rad gives you about 5-8mm clearance iirc

[leeparkes]

Heres my clearance with the M20 rad,





And a pic of E30 M20 rad and an E34 535i non air con rad,






E34 aircon rads will not fit as they are too wide to fit between the chassis rails








My M20 rad is holding out fine with no issues and temp gauge doesnt go over half way,even in heavy traffic on a hot day!

[Rav335uk]

My fan is fooked, need another one as it keeps blowing my fuses

[scottidog]

cheers guys there some good info there, think im gunna go for an m20 rad! im sure i will be posting agan here soon with my next question

[zaust]

Invest in a e28 535 rad mate. It's the best option out of all of them.

[barker246]

Thanks for the informative thread everyone.

I currently have a 1987 316 carb. I'm starting an M30 conversion once I get the bits together. My only concern is will I have any problems converting a carb'd car to run the fuel injection system etc for the M30 motor for example the fuel tank/lines, wiring loom?

I'm realising now after reading the thread that I maybe should have started with an M20 engined E30.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[scottidog]

maybe i am missing something here so please correct me, my e32 non aircon rad with gearbox oil cooler fits perfectly between the chassis rails......



this would be perfect for me! i am using a 3.0l engine and auto box as this is what the donor car is! Is this rad smaller than the 3.5? is it going to be too thick....... or is it that im just too thick to understand what u guys are putting to me? IMO the e32 rad looks considerably smaller than the e34 rad...... especialy now i have seen those helpful pics from leeparks



Answers would be much appreciated. Scottidog.

[scottidog]

If someone could measure their rad and tell me the thickness of it iwould be very happy, this rad isnt no thicker than the m40 rad i removed.

[Rav335uk]

By the looks of, it might be a thick as the e34 rad i'm running, only issue you'll have is that it'll touch the dissy cap.

[scottidog]

i may slide it down and have a go when the engine is in place.

[leeparkes]

Ive always wondered if you can get the engine back a bit further,ie say position 3.5 (about 10-15mm back)

There would be enough room against the baulkhead, i can get my fingers between the head and baulkhead on mine no problem (it is bashed a bit though) the prop would adjust back easily 15mm and so would the gearlinkage,the gearstick would probably line up in the centre too as mine seems a little forward in the hole,the rear downpipe might dig into the the firewall but again knock back a touch.
The only problem i can see is the sump,but havent really checked (anyone know?)
and thats it.

Advantages.

The engine will be pushed back further still to help the nose heavy wrongness you get with the m30.

But the main thing is you would also have more choice with the type of rad used for the m30 conversion,ie using an e34 rad without the worry of the dizzy cap smashing itself against it,or thicker type of rads from big capacity bmw's
or with an e28 rad you'd probably even get a viscous in there!

The easiest way i think it could be done is with offset engine mounts (but which ones???) 50mm thick with offset studs

If anyone can think of any other reason this wouldnt work please post up.


















Or is it a stupid idea?

[Rav335uk]

I think it should be possible, it was done by Hartge on their Big six engines, so are you going to be the first?

[scottidog]

Ok defo need mounts now im stuck, where can i get them???? I have mailed beefy but no reply.

[leeparkes]

If someone could measure their rad and tell me the thickness of it iwould be very happy, this rad isnt no thicker than the m40 rad i removed.

E30 M20/b25 = 37mm
E34 M30/b35 = 43mm
E28 M30/b35 = 34mm

Measured from the centre of the rad,end caps might make a difference on all of them.

As for the mounts beefy had a bit of a problem with a sale vvv

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=142188

Try e30.de http://www.e30.de/335i/00.htm