M3 conversion - Shall I?

[M5pilot]

Ever since buying this lovely 320i I have been toying with the idea of doing an engine conversion.........E36 M3 lump.

Whats also got me going is all this talk of BHP and the fact that an M20 takes serious money to get to around 250bhp.

For a much lesser cost I can buy the whole running gear of an EVO and I will be doing the fitting myself.

However, as always there is compromises to be made. I would essentially have to sell my M5. i couldnt see the point of having it anymore and would rather replace it with something thats a big practical family car which consumes less money.

The 320i have gets comments from everyone I meet, has zero rust and would be the perfect car for such a conversion.

Shall I?

[Zayyan]

It's a difficult one.

I'd have to say no though, as you say it's mint, so keep it original

[Gwynleym10]

Go on!

There are other 320i's that are in good condition, being driven aroud by old timers.....

After seeing Karan's 'is/m5 i also only see point in converting a "mint car"

Would make an awsome sleeper, I assume you would keep the body work the same?

As for the M5 would you buy something else? cheaper/for everyday use?

[glenn]

i would, i just can't help myself

[M5pilot]

I defintsley agree, its only worth doing to a mint car. Why on earth would you do it to a rusty shitter!?

At the end of the day a MINT late E30 shell in a rare colour (lazer blue) with a good clean conversion will be worth quite a bit of money. Infact, probably more than the total cost of the project and the car!

I could keep the M5, but it needs a bit of bodywork and it will always be a bit on the rough side if I dont do it properly. I could keep it I suppose!

How much are M3 3.2 Evo lumps with full runing gear going for these days?

[Gwynleym10]

So you have an m5 that has a bit of body work problems and a mint bodied e30............ I think you know what i'm going to suggest....

[glenn]

you allready have M power for a conversion!!!

[Gwynleym10]

and you can always put the m20 engine in the 5 series.....

What are you waiting for! you can start this weekend!

[glenn]

So you have an m5 that has a bit of body work problems and a mint bodied e30............ I think you know what i'm going to suggest....

great minds think alike

[Adammcf]

Do it!

[M3Compact]

How much are M3 3.2 Evo lumps with full runing gear going for these days?

I spent nearly a year finding a proper one.

I bought one and viewed loads of heaps of 5hit before going to FAB and buying a 37K mile full kit. (Just under Ԛ£4K)

They usually twist the crank if they spin a big end shell, a new crank is Ԛ£1K, also Vanos issues to consider.

I refused to buy one off the floor, I was offered a few complete "Good un mate, honest", at prices from Ԛ£2K.

[Gwynleym10]

great minds think alike
LOL LOL

Exactly!

[Chaos]

Sal id go for a 3.0 one.
cheaper to buy, more reliable, easy to tune to 300bhp (which is all an evo will actually make)

[M5pilot]

My M5 just needs a small amount of bodywork! Its not some heap of sh*t that requires breaking. Its a fantastic car and it would be an utter crime to take it apart.
All it needs is the drivers door repairing and freshening up of the front leather seats.

No way.......I'm niot even going to sell it!

I would probably go for what chaos is saying on the 3.0 engine as its more reliable and lakes same sort of power as an Evo engine but without the problems. Its finding one thats the problem!

[nav786]

i would say do it. and the 3.0 engine ofcourse. i would keep the body as it is as you say its a minter so why ruin it.

[E30BeemerLad]

Sal

no more excuses - probably not too far from you either...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WDVW

we can talk about the finders fee later

[Karan]

Do it..... it would be rude not to..... its not like the 320 is a rare car like a sport or an iS or an m3.......

do the 3.0l and ull be laughing like a kid in a sweet shop......and im doing the s38 so u better not copy me LOL

[M3Imy]

Do it Sal. You have a mint shell so its ideal. And I agree with the others. Use the 3.0 engine. I had my coupe rolling roaded and it was pushing out 279bhp IIRC which I have found out is normal for the "321bhp" engine to push out. Plus no vanos issues. Oh and i want to go for a spin once its done

[M5pilot]

Karan,

its not about the fact that its a 320i. The point is the shell is fantastic.

Imy,

I think its got to be done, will be a proper sleeper aswell.

Its very normal for the 3.2's to push out 280bhp. BMW's figures are way way out for this engine.

Ive had a play in my heavy m5 with Evo's and there's been nothing in it - simply because the m5 engine realy pushes out over 300 bhp and the evo doesnt- That 20-30 hp difference makes up for the extra weight the M5 carries.

[Andy335Touring]

If you do it Sal you have got to keep the 320 badge

[M5pilot]

I bought my car debaged

No plans of sticking on any badges though.

[E30BeemerLad]

that M3 motor went for Ԛ£510 on fleabay pretty reasonable price IMO

[Chaos]

that M3 motor went for Ԛ£510 on fleabay pretty reasonable price IMO

assuming its a goodun then thats a damn good price

[M3Compact]

that M3 motor went for Ԛ£510 on fleabay pretty reasonable price IMO

I bought an M3 engine off fleabay that wasn't worth Ԛ£5.10.

Exaggeration maybe, the throttle bodies and ecu were ok.

[mrLEE30]

I am thinking about putting an 850mini engine in my 325sport, now that would be fun!!! what do ya reckon, good and light, economical four speed so less gear changing, its a great idea!

mrlee

[E30BeemerLad]

I am thinking about putting an 850mini engine in my 325sport, now that would be fun!!! what do ya reckon, good and light, economical four speed so less gear changing, its a great idea!

mrlee

why on earth would you want to put a 30-40hp engine into your beemer? or are you thinking of fitting it as an on-board generator and doing away with the alternator?

[Sjoerd320i]

yep just do it mate

[M5pilot]

Decision made - I'm going to do it.

My house move should happen within the next 2 months and then I will have the double garage.

The aim will be to keep the car as it is right now, nice straight clean car which has a really nice smooth ride but with really good power. Looks are going to remain as they are aswell.

Thanks to everyone for helping me make my mind up!

[Karan]

Decision made - I'm going to do it.

My house move should happen within the next 2 months and then I will have the double garage.

The aim will be to keep the car as it is right now, nice straight clean car which has a really nice smooth ride but with really good power. Looks are going to remain as they are aswell.

Thanks to everyone for helping me make my mind up!

good dont be changing ure mind now!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gwynleym10]

The aim will be to keep the car as it is right now, nice straight clean car which has a really nice smooth ride but with really good power. Looks are going to remain as they are aswell.

That is going to be my kinda car! Good stuff!
Have you thought about air/con, would make it very "sellable" and be nice for you obviously.

[M5pilot]

Funny you say that, I was just thinking about that.

I would love to fit AC aswell.

Been thinking about diff ratios and I would go for something quite long like 3.25.....well I'd have to if I was fitting a 5 speed box which has 1:1 ratio in 5th.

Wouldnt mind a 6 speed box but ive not heard good things about them.

But what I really want is to build an E30 M3 with 3.2 turbo engine + all the mod cons. It would be red with 18" BBS split rims.........its nice to dream!

[Gwynleym10]

isn't ian trying(or has) to make some kinda e30/36 hybrid air con for his?

[M5pilot]

I think he's done it.

[ian332isport]

I think he's done it.

Well nearly anyway

It's all in apart from the compressor and a few hoses under the bonnet.

Everything under the dash is finished, and the electrics are integrated with the E36 ECU which was fun

I'm going to crack on and finish the install very soon though. It was delayed somewhat while the body was being tidied up.

Cheers,

Ian.