E30 Zone

Hello all,

I am new to this forum, but hope to contribute with what I learn from my experience along the way.

I've been doing a lot of research into this swap, and recently have committed to it.

I'll be using an m52b28 engine from and e38 728i as I understand the sump, dipstick and pickup don't need to be modified, and it will just drop straight into the e30.

Now, in the interest of time I'd like to use the existing M40 / getrag 220 with the engine. I've read that the bellhousing will mount up to the m52. Is anyone able to doubley confirm this for me?

I understand that the existing clutch and flywheel setup will not work with the m52 but can find no information on what clutch and flywheel setup you would have to use to marry the m52 with a getrag 220

Also, I'm getting mixed information as to weather the existing prop would work or if I'd have to use a 320i prop.


Any and all help is appreciated as I'm now at the stage where I need to start getting these bits together.
Thanks guys,

John.

Right, having done some research it would seem I can use a M20 flywheel to marry up my 316 box with the m52 but the back of the flywheel must be skimmed to clear the m52 sump.. I wasn't sure if this would still be the case being that I'm using an engine from an e38 with different sump shape? Is anyone able to confirm?

Yep, it'll still be the case

The machining is to clear the bolts on the crank seal from memory.

You can grind down the sump so it clears the m20 flywheel.

But I would personally machine the flywheel. Good chance to lighten to 6kg as well.

Excellent, thanks for the advice guys.

Is anyone able to advise how much has to be taken off?

Trial fit the flywheel with some thin washers between the crankshaft flange and the flywheel. Adjust the number/thickness of washers the washers until you have clearance that you are happy with, remove flywheel, and measure thickness of washers.

Okay progress report:

Engine out of the 728i now, with the auto gearbox and auto gearbox rubbish off it. I have sourced an M20 clutch, flywheel and starter, and am in the process of getting the flywheel skimmed.

Then next task will be getting the m40 out of the e30 and splitting the gearbox from the engine, and marrying it up to its new engine.

I'm probably going to go with the m50 inlet to squeeze a bit more power from her, so I'll be swapping that over whilst doing the water pump and cleaning up the block a bit before dropping it in.

Reference the brake servo: I've heard bad things about the Clio servo (spongy pedal) and that the e32 booster is another option, has anybody had any experience with this?

I've also heard that the m52 will make the gearbox sit differently and require modification to the gearbox mount, anyone able to advise if this is correct?

Thanks guys, I'll post some pics as we get more involved!

In the middle of this myself, and as well as taking the prop from the 320i you also need to take the shifter linkage and it should sit at the correct angle when matched up to the 220/240. Are you going to use your e38 loom or ditch it for an e36 item?

Clio servo in mine with no problems.

I have the M50 inlet in as well. You do notice a drop in low down torque. It's a bit less lively pulling out of junctions.

But it's just made 217bhp on the dyno so it's a toss up.

If engine's from an auto and you're fitting a manual gearbox, a crank spigot bearing will be required too.

markmadman2 wrote:In the middle of this myself, and as well as taking the prop from the 320i you also need to take the shifter linkage and it should sit at the correct angle when matched up to the 220/240. Are you going to use your e38 loom or ditch it for an e36 item?

I've got a e36 loom that I'm planning to get modified by danthe.

I may just get the gearbox mount modified to accomidate, really didn't want to have to mess about with the prop

Motorhole wrote:If engine's from an auto and you're fitting a manual gearbox, a crank spigot bearing will be required too.

Thanks for the advice, do you know which one to use and how/ where to install it?

Are there any guides anywhere?

Thanks for your help guys.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=11_6010

Part 5 on there Should press by hand into the gearbox end of the crankshaft. Allows the spigot on the gearbox input shaft to mate snugly with the crank and stop it from rattling around.

Motorhole wrote:http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=11_6010

Part 5 on there Should press by hand into the gearbox end of the crankshaft. Allows the spigot on the gearbox input shaft to mate snugly with the crank and stop it from rattling around.

Thanks, just ordered one from BMW

Jmc wrote:

Motorhole wrote:http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=11_6010

Part 5 on there Should press by hand into the gearbox end of the crankshaft. Allows the spigot on the gearbox input shaft to mate snugly with the crank and stop it from rattling around.

Thanks, just ordered one from BMW

There are 2 sizes of spigot bearing (12mm and 15mm iirc). You need to get the size that matches the input shaft of the gearbox.

markmadman2 wrote:In the middle of this myself, and as well as taking the prop from the 320i you also need to take the shifter linkage and it should sit at the correct angle when matched up to the 220/240. Are you going to use your e38 loom or ditch it for an e36 item?

Hi mark,

Can you just clarify for me what I need to get the m40 gearbox on the m52 sitting at the correct angle?

Many thanks,

John.

The M40/M42 gearbox will be at the correct angle. It's the M20 gearbox that rotates slightly.

jmc330i wrote:The M40/M42 gearbox will be at the correct angle. It's the M20 gearbox that rotates slightly.

Brilliant, thanks jmc!

So does the M40 gearbox with M40 prop work without any modification? Or do you need to a prop from a 320i?

Rinx wrote:So does the M40 gearbox with M40 prop work without any modification? Or do you need to a prop from a 320i?

jmc330i wrote:

Are you able to advise?

I've got two M52 E30s at the moment, one with an M42 gearbox and 325i prop and one with an M40 gearbox, but I'm not sure what prop has been used. I would think it's a 320i prop as I'm guessing a 318i prop would be too long.

doing the same at the moment 728 into 320 e30
was planing on using getrag 240 from the 320 propshaft, box, flywheel and shifter
but read that the getrags are not that strong
with a m50 manifold and a remap i thought it wasn,t worth the risk so was looking for a zf box from 328 or
even better a 6 speed m3 box from e36 fits stright on with miminal mods
but i found a e46 320d zf 5 speed with low miles for 20 quid so i,m going to try to fit that a see if it works
the box is longer though i don,t think my 320 prop will work and a lot heaver should be strong enough though
i,m also using the 728 calipers as there huge and are quite light for the size
there,s adaptors on flea bay at the moment for 60 quid plus postage
i, did a quick measure on the brake boster and its very close in size to the 320 one and given how some people just move the original one over half an inch to clear m50/52 manifold i,ll try that
be doing that this weekend and fitting a z4 rack (don,t forget the stering needs to be made smaller)
z4 rack or e46 purple tag are the way to go using danthe stering spline to save vauliable space to clear
the exhaust manifolds
i,ll report back sunday i,ll know more buy then
who knows i may even have the engine in and running buy then more than likey i,ll be foul mood come sunday evening

dan

The 240 box is used for both the M40 engine and the 2 litre M20 engine, but with different bell housing configurations. (Cast in one piece, so you can't change them).
The M50/52 engine is the same length as the M20, and fits in the same position, so the M40 box (right bell housing angle) with M20B20 ancillaries is likely to fit, AFAIK.
I've only ever done this conversion with the gearbox that came with the M50/52, so the above is theoretical, not practical experience.

Brianmoooore wrote: The M50/52 engine is the same length as the M20, and fits in the same position, so the M40 box (right bell housing angle) with M20B20 ancillaries is likely to fit, AFAIK.

That's how I understand it, but I couldn't confirm unless I take one of mine apart to check prop length.

Thanks for the input guys. Look forward to hearing how you get on this weekend Dan.