e30 diesel conversion

[mk1nurburg]

hiya guys. i used to be a member on the forum a little while back when i owned a 320i touring but after its sale i missed the car too much so didnt taunt myself by returning to the forum too much. ive now got myself another touring but i had to keep the running of it cheap so picked up a 316i. i however have plans in a year to dump a 3ltr diesel out of a newer model into it for some dirty torquey power with some form of economy lol.

1. any hints tips??
2. do the shells between 4 and 6 cylinder engined cars differ??? bigger transmission tunnels etc??
3. does anyone know what gearboxes interchange? what fits e30's? any suggestions on upgrade parts??
4. am i better starting with a 6cyl shell/ running gear/ suspension to start with????

cheers in advance.
pauly

[Andyboy]

Forget it, it will cost thousands. Making the E39/E46 DDE management work, fabricating a front bulge sump and oil pick up (they are all rear bulge) plus the sheer cost of a known good engine in the first place.

If you must do this, use an E34 525tds engine and chip it to 170 bhp.

[johnny_boymk1]

diesel = wrong, good luck tho pal

[mk1nurburg]

ok guys, thanks for your info. it is indeed something i would like to do but obviously i will have to look into it alot further before attempting anything. does anyone know about the shell differences??

thanks for your info andyboy!!!

cheers.
pauly

[Grrrmachine]

I thought the TDS engine (aka M51) also had problems in the E30 because of the location of the turbo. The 324TD only kicked out 115bhp (M21) but the later model with intercooler was around 140bhp - same block but different plumbing from what I've read so far.

Either way, it's not going to be easy. I think someone once mentioned an Isuzu diesel and a getrag gearbox from a manta, but I can't be arsed to search for the thread just yet.

[stonesie]

I think the shells are all the same regarding the transmision tunnel shape and size, from 316 to M3.

With the sump issues, wont a M50/E34 sump fit the M51 like it will the M52?

[Jon_Bmw]

Lpg?

[BigBavarian]

Shells are all the same basic design with only minor differences for battery in boot models, non sunroof etc all stated on a chassis type plate behind the dash soundproofing. From memory i think there are 8 different post facelift shell designs covering sun roof or not, air con or not, battery in boot or not, touring with air con or without.
There are also the M3 variants along the same lines.
Your 316 will be the same floor pan as any other 3 series the differences are minor and relate to holes being there or not!
Suspension is a different matter, junk the lot and start again!
I started looking into dieseling my touring with E36 2.5 diesel bits but stopped at turbo and steering column issues though since learned that turbo manifold can apparently beturned up the other way thus relieving most clearance issues. Another engine destined for it now and diesel is too expensive!

[Brianmoooore]

I've been reading the S54 into an E30 thread on the E46Fanatics forum, and see that it's not that difficult at all to get all the weird and wonderful integrated electronic systems in the original E46 to work in an E30, once someone has done the pioneering work.
I imagine fitting a modern diesel would throw up similar problems, with similar solutions - solutions that aren't difficult once the relevant system is understood.
Plenty of Cat B cars around to provide the engines and other parts, for reasonable prices, and an adaptor plate would be one way of sorting the sump.
Someone's got to be the first. Go for it!

All touring shells are the same, apart from some minor bracketry, and all use the same suspension/brakes, etc., except for different front springs between four and six pots, because of the different engine weights.

[cassa-d]

do what gareth has done to he's touring and put the 735i engine in and run it on gas..

he's has loads of torque and really economical

[mk1nurburg]

cool, thank you so much for your replies and info guys!!!!

couple of different things to think about now!! lpg hadnt crossed my mind to tell the truth... i dont know how lol!

i wont be doing it for a year or so and whatever i do i will be upgrading all suspension and braking components first!!

thanks again.
pauly