M30 2.8 ENGINE FOR E30

[TW166Y]

can anyone tell me if these drop straight into a e30 or not? what sort of problems would i have getting it in etc... thats if it goes in, thanks

[jamesroools]

i think you need to get custom made engine mounts, and an exhaust, not 100% sure, but someone will be along to tell you

[TW166Y]

thanks buddy, ive just seen a cheap one today down the scrappy thats all and wondered if it was worth buying or not!! thanks for your help buddy

[jamesroools]

if you was really thinking about going the m30 route, might be better to put the 3.5 in rather than the 2.8

[TW166Y]

deffo mate, i couldnt agree more !!!

[Simon13]

the 2.8 is a rare lump and considered the sweetest of the M30's. they also came in 3.2

[TW166Y]

do you think it could possibly be worth getting then simon because ive seen the engine with ecu for Ԛ£80 the only problem is that there is no gear box, would it be hard getting hold of one do you think?

[Toby_Unna]

not worth it, better to build yourself a 2.7 m20

the 2.8 m30 is only 184bhp. fair bit heavier than an m20, a lot of work/parts to put it in and get it driving perfectly. older LEjetronic management than 535i/325i. and finding a manual box will be hard.

it's supposed to be sweeter than the 3.5 but the 3.5 is very good, and much much punchier.

if you nip over to leicester and have a go in my 335 i'll convince you 3.5 is a better bet!

[TW166Y]

toby mate, i have a bog standard 325i sport only with induction kit on it and lets face it, that aint gonna do much, however it just feels flat as hell, im stick my foot down and it seems to take an age to get up there, any clues as to whats wrong with it? is like im in a 320, it just aint got the kick of a 325, and b4 you ask yeh it is a 325 ive had it checked

[AndyTouring]

Throw away the induction kit for a start. They're the biggest waste of money going. Getting more air into the engine will only give more power if you get more fuel in as well & if the engine actually needs it ie bigger valves, sharper camshaft etc.

All you're doing is making more noise & ingesting warm (less dense) air which means flat spots & less power.

[TW166Y]

what would you advise then chip and cam?

[AndyTouring]

A cam will give more power but it will be further up the rev range & the 325 is already fairly peaky.

A capacity increase to 2.7 using the 525e or 324/524 diesel crank would give you more oomph low down which is where you're finding it lacking.

There's no substitue for capacity (a turbo or supercharger increase the effective capacity too) so get a bigger engine. Bigger the engine = more torque = more bhp (torque x revs).

Utimately, if your car isn't fast enough, change it for one that is eg E36 328 or M3. At the end of the day it will be easier, faster, more reliable, easier to ensure, nicer to drive & easier to sell. Probably cheaper too!

[TW166Y]

i mean its ok saying get another car etc... the one i have i just fine, ive owned 3 325i's and this one i have at the moment is about the slowest i ever had, im really dissapointed in the pick up and top end of the engine, it really does go like a 320 and i was wondering if anyone knew what was wrong??

[AndyTouring]

The fact that you know it's down on power compared to other 325's means somethings wrong rather than you just want more power.

You don't say what the mileage is but I'd get a compression test done to ascertain the basic health of the engine & look for air leaks on the induction side. Check the throttle opens fully - that certainly wouldn't help things.

You need the engine to be fit & healthy before you can consider any tuning.

Perhaps I'm being silly but you're sure it is a 325 & not a 320?

[TW166Y]

yeh buddy deffo a 325i ive had it checked i thought that myself too, i think a compression test and throttle opening test is a good idea to start off with, i really does lack power at the bottom end, i means shes an old girl and thats probably what the matter is, ill get onto that side of things b4 i chip and tune etc... thanks mate