E30 Zone

ok, so spent the night searching, and reading though posts here and on e3024v.com and goggling things, and hopefully now have a complete list on what is needed for a smooth m50 swap

can some one correct me were im wrong or add,



e36 325 engine , ecu ending 413? and loom
e30 centre bearing from a facelift model
e36 325 gearbox rubbers
e36 alloy engine mount arms
e28 m5 engine mounts
plastic winged clio servo, T reg 99/2000 on wards
e34 sump, oil pick up and dipstick assy

m50 G/B option
m50 gearbox with 95/99 e36 328i drive shaft
using a bent e36 rod selector
e36 gear linkage with z3 lever

m20 G/B option
m20 fly wheel shaved down at the back (read the sump could be altered as a alternative? true?)
m20 clutch assy
m20 starter
clutch fork with 4mm spacers
m20 g/b and prop
(any thing else for this option?)

e36 325 rad, ac or non ac?
e30 325 exhaust
vented front disc, (unknown model to source from, possibly calliper and carrier also?)
6cyl coding plug
now for diffs, read use a e36 325 diff and swap insides to the e30 diff, unless using m20 g/b prop setup then go for a 3.25 diff


then was going to go with the use of a electric fan with a thermostatic switch
and possibly go with a ready brought wiring harness adaptor
unless i can use the back half of the e30 loom and engine side of the e36 and cross over with a wiring diagramme /list i found

then moving on to the gearbox mount, found one with some guy called doug making real nice ones, although looks like he has stopped.
so im not a very good welder and couldn't trust my own welds so is there options/company's out there making these


have i missed any thing or got anything wrong


many thanks for reading and your help in advance

looks like you have it pretty well nailed.

but is this going in the 318? if so, you want some 51mm struts and a rear disc axel...best doing this conversion from an is/325/touring/cab as they have that lot as standard, and saves the hassle.

in terms of wiring, its easy enough to do it yourself. in the end i resorted to getting one off DanThe because mine was hacked up beyond use.

DanThe does both engine looms and electric fan looms which offer a plug & play solution for wiring spackers like me. This will allow you to use an electric fan with thermo switch.

I'd use a 318is gearbox with E30 325 flywheel, clutch & starter motor, 325 propshaft and suitable E30 diff like 3.64 or 3.73. No need for any modifications to gearbox mounts or gear shifters etc. With this set up you need to use a 320 gear selector rod and the cradle/brace that the gearstick sits in.

thanks, yer going in to a 318, thing is its a very mint shell and tbh log book will still show 318,

will the 318i box handle 200bhp?

ok ill look up danthe any rough idea on prices

the loom is £80.

but declare the engine swap, or you might aswell burn the money you spend on insurance.

all the mods are declared on my sport (including m50) and the list is massive. im only 18 so I pay through the nose, but at least i am insured in the event of an accident.

yes, a 318 box wil take the power

red318i wrote:thanks, yer going in to a 318, thing is its a very mint shell and tbh log book will still show 318,

will the 318i box handle 200bhp?

ok ill look up danthe any rough idea on prices

Put a load of info up on e3024v for you too bud. Im using an m40 gearbox at the moment and it handles the power fine. The fact that mine is leaking oil means that its starting to get a tad stiff now.

yer i got your info, really helpfull, ok least i know that a m40 box is the way forward.