330d engine into an E30?

[bazeebond]

I've been searching everywhere but I can't find anyone who has done a 330d engine into an E30.

I'm going away for 6 months serving Queen and country overseas and will come back with some cash saved up. I was in two minds about keeping my E30 since she needs some work to bring her up to standard, and she's already absorbed a few grand of my hard earned... But I decided to keep her for when I get back.

However, the problem I have is what to do with her. She has what I think is either a cracked or warped head which would need sorting. I considered rebuilding the standard engine but apparently that is pretty expensive and for no real performance gain, although it would be nice, new and standard. So then I thought about an engine rebuild with forced induction, however the £3k for a Rotrex put me off and the turbo thing would probably be just as pricey although the performance gains could be worth it although economy would suffer making her a real weekend only car.

So the ideal solution would be to shoehorn a 330d lump into her and have 200+ BHP, shed loads of torque and 45 MPG!

Now I've read a few threads from 2005 and 2006 where people have been talking about wanting to do such a conversion, but has anyone ever done it? And if so, how much would it cost? The engine alone must be a fair old whack and I'd want a good one.

What a result it would be though. You could use a car like that every day and It'd last you forever with routine maintenance.

If anyone knows of one that's been done, I'd love to find out more. It'd probably be way too expensive but you never know. Plus it would be pretty cool to do an engine conversion and actually get better economy as well as better performance.

[GrindCulture]

It probably could be done, but believe me, it will be massively expensive and hugely time consuming. Thing with modern engines is they're massively governed by electronics, so all these electronic bits and pieces will need to be converted into the E30. Hell even E46 engines don't bare thinking about, let alone an E90 one! If you want a good balance of performance and economy but still want an E30 the only real sensible way to go is M50. If this isn't good enough, you've got the wrong car

[lloydp]

To start off, I've never seen one done, though I too have seen the threads you mention. I think if you're willing to spend time figuring the electronics there's nothing stopping you--the mechanicals are no more complicated than anything else that's been done, and I have seen an S54-engined E30 out there so its not impossible.

The big question is: are you interested in the "economy" for numbers (mpg) reasons, or money reasons?
Personally, I think an M52 with LPG makes more sense, but don't let that stop you trying!

[ShakeyC]

The only feasable way of doing it is to buy a running oil burner, strip it and transplant everything over from clocks, looms, and all the electrical gubbins into the E30 next to it plus a few thousand in labour and misc parts which no doubt adds up to be false economny when you work it out in miles per pound, per year.

[bazeebond]

It's not just the economy... It's the torque I want!

The best of both worlds...

[GrindCulture]

If you want torque bung a V8 in it.

[bazeebond]

The only feasable way of doing it is to buy a running oil burner, strip it and transplant everything over from clocks, looms, and all the electrical gubbins into the E30 next to it plus a few thousand in labour and misc parts which no doubt adds up to be false economy when you work it out in miles per pound, per year.

Yeah true I guess it would just cost too much to do.

If you want torque bung a V8 in it.

Economy?

[GrindCulture]

It'll be cheaper than an N54 conversion. You'll have to drive hundred of thousands of miles a year to break even on something like that. I've suggested the best value route for power and economy, and lloyd added another idea to that. M50/M52 on LPG. But still the initial cost is going to be a hell of a lot in comparison to having a standard 325i that will still do 30mpg, and is pokey enough for most drivers.

[ShakeyC]

Chevy V8 is not expensive engine at all gives you power, torque, economny, looks and sound in one package, later add lpg if you intend on big milage. Failing that as GrindCulture say M50/52 on lpg is a good all rounded option too.

[bazeebond]

Chevy V8 is not expensive engine at all gives you power, torque, economny, looks and sound in one package

I'll have to read some back issues of PPC Magazine cause I'm sure there was some V8 info in there. Any idea what V8 you get for what kind of money? Just want to look at all the options.

[bazeebond]

Can't believe somebody hates Marmite that much by the way...

[GrindCulture]

There are 3 (that I know of) V8 E30s on the zone, one with an M60 BMW V8, Dips has a TVR/Rover V8 in one of his cars and there's a guy in New Zealand with a Lexus V8 in his E30. The more you're willing/able to do youself the less you're going to spend.

[ShakeyC]

Just had a quick google starting with a NEW Chevy 5.7 litre LS1 v8 is from around £2,000 in a crate engine

[bazeebond]

£2000 for a new engine! I thought it'd be double that. I'll have a look into it. Not sure how much a full recon on my current engine would cost in comparison to buying a new V8 lump. Too much to think about tonight!

Thanks for your help guys.

[ShakeyC]

If you not a badge snob there is more options than you can shake a stick at, put its all into prospective when you look outside the box.

[Chuntington101]

the LS1 would be a great choice! might be difficult to get a gerbox to fit. could fit the T56 but its a very big and heavy unit. not sure if there is a BMW box that would mate up. alternatively a TKO 5/600 could work....

i think a few guys in the US have done this conversion...

take a look on LS1tech.com in the conversion section. also its a great place to go for tuning information!

Chris.

[bazeebond]

Thanks mate, will have a look.

[Karan]

2jz is the way forward

[Gunni]

S50 >> 2JZ ;)

[Karan]

S50 >> 2JZ ;)

stock internals on a 2j good for up to 600bhp safely i reckon, and you can get an engine and a box for £1500

[Gunni]

true, S50 1750pounds or so with everything, problem is compression,
M50 stuff does 600hp on stock internals as well ;)

swap the pistons and rods ($2k) or so and it´s open for discussion

[GrindCulture]

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=115431