3.5 conversion question

[Driftben]

Hi all
i have been offered a 3.5 with no ancillaries or gearbox. i was wondering what would be needed for doing a swap from a 2.0? what gearboxes would be best for it?

thanks
Ben

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

There's a 5 page thread in this 'Engine Swaps' forum all about the swap. Cannot remember the title exactly, but it was replied to recently and definately has M30 (the BMW code for the 3.5) in the title.

I'd start there.

I have a 335i conversion myself, from the little experience I've had so far (not MOT'd yet), I'd say definately go for it. Gut feel is that the without ancilliaries and gearbox, you may be looking at a lot of searching and delays in the conversion. May well be better to buy a complete car as a donor.

Martin.

[Driftben]

ah i see well i have emailed the bloke and he has all the stuff to complete the engine. so that helps alot.
he also has a manual box too.
what sort of price should i offer him for the whole lot?
is the M30 box ok to fit into the E30?

thanks
Ben

[Rav335uk]

M30 box will fit straight in, all you have to swap is the m20 box mounting bracket,easy, and also change your selector rod for a 325 one to get the g/lever in the correct position inside the car.
I did most of mine myself, so any other question you have i should have the answers.
You can also use the m20 wiring loom with some mods.
HTH

[Driftben]

ah lovely stuff, great info.
well ill be starting the conversion once i pick the M30 up. wouldnt mind to replace bearings ect while its out? what do you think?
also i am supercharging it too so i would mine renewing some things

thanks
ben

[Rav335uk]

Good one on the forced induction, as i was going down that route too, but maybe in the summer.

[fowler]

i would personally put in a M50 b25 better engine and weighs alot less than A M30 engine

[Driftben]

i would personally put in a M50 b25 better engine and weighs alot less than A M30 engine

I see where your coming from on that one. I'm going to sit the engine as far back as I can and look for weight saving options. But as they say no replacement for displacment.

Thanks
Ben

[zaust]

There is acctually more room on mine to work on the motor and round the gear box with the m30 than with the m20..

[Theo]

i would personally put in a M50 b25 better engine and weighs alot less than A M30 engine

Have you actually weighed them? All the figures i've seen state very similar weights for the two engines.

The great advantage of the M50 is fuel consumptions, which should be better. But a big six powered E30 is so much more fun to drive.

[zaust]

i would personally put in a M50 b25 better engine and weighs alot less than A M30 engine

Have you actually weighed them? All the figures i've seen state very similar weights for the two engines.

The great advantage of the M50 is fuel consumptions, which should be better. But a big six powered E30 is so much more fun to drive.

Agreed.. Why swap a 2.5 for a 2.5.

[Rav335uk]

Agreed.. Why swap a 2.5 for a 2.5.

Here Here

[Ziggy]

Because they're a more powerful, more economical engine. Not directly comparable to an m30 swap though IMO - your choice would depend on what you wanted from the car.

[Driftben]

well i want the engine looking kind of the same apart from a shinny supercharger hanging off it somewhere. plus cant beat the sound of a straight six. not really too bothered on the eco sides of it as its not a daily driver. plus green peace can kiss my ring.

iv managed to get the whole engine plus box for £700 which i didnt think was too bad.

[Ziggy]

iv managed to get the whole engine plus box for £700 which i didnt think was too bad.

That's waaay expensive.

[Driftben]

really? pants, what sort of price should i be looking for?

[Ziggy]

£200ish, more like... An example'd be ebay item number: 320322611051 (didn't sell previously @ £150 start / £225 BIN)

You'll be able to pick up a whole car for sub £500, easily.

[Driftben]

hmmm sounds good
well i have found a engine for £250 and a gearbox for £145
what do you think of them prices?
might pop on to the wanted forum.

[Ziggy]

Again, that ebay advertiser would take £200 for the both, but £400 is obviously better than £700!

[Theo]

Sounds reasonable, make sure you get the loom, ecu, starter, alternator, PAS pump, exhaust manifolds and downpipes with the engine.

[Driftben]

thing is im down in kent and thats a long way from me, plus iv only got a astra van lol. dont mind traveling but not too far.
why is everyone so far from the south

[turkey]

just buy a donar is by fay the best way, you should be able to able a rough manual for aroun £300-400 just make sure the engines good!

OR

Pick up my M30 out the garage for free and spend the £400 fixing it up was a strong engine till the rocker arm snapped, all compression was spot on for each cylinder!

[Driftben]

well Free is a word which doesn't come round often
iv just PMed you but whats missing from the engine? ill be striping it down anyway so replacing the rocker arm wouldnt be too much of a problem.
ill be taking my M20 out sunday so ill have time to clean the bay up and alter the loom before the M30 goes in.

oh i love projects

[turkey]

theres no loom, starter or gearbox... It would make a good project, was thinking about playing with it and a turbo but just havent got the time and need the space,

If you do have it i want to see pictures of the build though!

[Driftben]

Well I will be doing all the fabrication myself so I'll put pictures up of each stage. Whats the chances of get it in the back of my astra van?

Cheers
Ben

[ImysE30]

There is a manual box for the M30 on ebay at the moment

[turkey]

just pm'ed you back, as for the astra van it will fit in there no worries... as for using the engine crane to lift it in the back may be a bit tricky as there quite low roofs on them iirc!?!

[Driftben]

well as far as im aware i have found a gearbox from a lad on here which he is sending for £65 delivered which i thought was reasonable.
as for putting the engine in the van, im sure if we take a long enough run up it would go in

looks like the transplant will be going along shortly.

[turkey]

lol i'm sure it will if you want it, shame about the missing parts for it.

Do love driving my M30, such a laugh... but you'll hate it when your working on it and things arn't going as they should...

[Driftben]

well parts wont be too much of a problem as i have abit of time to scout about looking and collecting.

when i pop up to see you ill have to cast a eye over your conversion you get abit of a idea.
already started disconnecting and unbolting the M20 today. just have to finish unbolting the drive shaft and abit more of the loom and its ready to come out.
iv put a skyline engine into a 200sx before so im preparing myself for bleeding knuckles and bruises.

[turkey]

lol, if you done a conversion before then this shouldn't be to bad for you, the hardest part is getting it into place, then the rest isn't too bad tbh. Feel free to look over mine, just don't knock my exhaust its just temporary!

[Driftben]

haha well as long as its not held together with the famous duck tape then thats fine for me.
ill be passing by essex on the way back from Milton kynes not this sat but next sat (the 20th i think) would it possible if i could pop by to cast a eye and pick the lump up then?

thanks
Ben

[beefy]

Ben if your needing some mounts i can supply them pm me for more info if required

[Driftben]

Ah yes I was going to contact you for that. I have read the write up that was on them and it looks like I'll be getting yours instead of making my own. I think it will be after the new year I'll be wanting that. Get christmas out the way and all.

[turkey]

So that's the 20th, that should be fine but won't be home till about 4-5 is that ok?

I'm using the mounts of beefy and can recommend them, very well made and do the job fine!