An M30 swap/general playing with E30 scrap thread

[E30Gheko]

I got a 318 shell which is my new project car. Engine is out, car is totally stripped to repair all the rusty bits(done).

Been trying to decide which engine to fit. It was a toss up between M50, M52 & M30.

After reading various threads/books/websites and looking into the costs involved, I have decided that my car needs a 3.5 M30 lump.

I will be sourcing a complete car, either 5 or 7 series with a manual gearbox. That way I get to see/hear the engine running which would give me far greater piece of mind.

So there's the plan. I'm still reading up on this conversion and have discovered the www.e30.de site which looks at first glance to be an invaluable source of info.

Timescale is around 12-18 months to complete with the main restricitng factors being cash and spare time.

So, to all you out there who have done this conversion, here is your opportunity to give me your best advice, tips and ideas on budget to get the job done. I would like to bring it in around £1500 - £2000. Is this realistic?

Thanks in advance!

[Ziggy]

Should be fine with that budget.

All my tips are in the sticky at the top of the section!

[ImysE30]

First thing is that you will need uprated suspension, 51mm struts and discs all round

E32 7 series manual's are rare as, E34 are easier to come by but not many manuals.

You will need custom engine mounts (beefy on here for around £100) and a custom prop (unless you decided to use a M10 box/prop)

I would say, if you are doing the swap yourself, can be done easily within 1k

[leeparkes]

I wouldnt take much notice of the info on e30.de,some stuff is usefull but some is a bit vague.

I take it you have read through the sticky at the top of the page,its got everything in there you need to know and its a very simple swap,virtually plug and play.

Here's my build thread with plenty info and pictures

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... hlight=m30

I still havent worked out how much my swap has cost me yet but i know im in pocket by about £600,my donor car was a £200 insurance write off 535i sport with plenty goodies like leather,lsd etc and it broke well,still have loads of stuff to sell too

Get some 51mm struts and 6 pot springs up front coz these fookers are heavy!

Good luck!

[E30Gheko]

Cheers guys. Imy if I can get it done sub 1k then that's even better!

I have read the sticky but I'm going to print it off and study it religiously over the next few weeks!

plug and play sounds just the ticket!

Never done anything like this before so u can expect lots of questions whilst it's going on!

[ImysE30]

I've not done it myself, i've read sooo much information on it though

E34 manual donor can be had for £300-£400, £100 for the mounts and probably the same amount for a custom prop. You'll need a better exhaust system too and a electric fan coversion

[E30Gheko]

Right, fully digested the sticky thread now. Couple of questions,

1) Rad - I bought this one recently by mistake, but as it's a virtually new facelift 325i rad should I hold on to it for now? As I understand it, this is one possible rad to use on the conversion.


2) What additional parts am I going to require to uprate the suspension/brakes etc on my 318i shell? Do I need to change the back axel?

[Rav335uk]

Rad will be ok, Lee's using the same, but i've got the e34 rad in mine, goes in with minimun effort.
Back set up should be discs mate, allround tbh.
Rear diff will be up to you.
Town driving 3.64 or 3.73(Rare) or cruising, like me, 3.46.
Prop as imy said is £80-£100, i used the front end of the e34 and rear e30, but lee swapped the flange on the gearbox for a 2.5 item.
3 wires in order to get the thing started, for windows, blower and eco guage.
Ecu will sit opp way round as the e34 loom to ecu is just that bit short.
Need any help let me know as I did most of mine myself, and i'm a D.I.Y mechanic.

Good luck.
You'll never regret it.

[Ziggy]

3.73's pretty much pointless - 3.64 is plenty.

That rad'll get you up and running - you can always upgrade later.

[Rav335uk]

3.73's pretty much pointless

I thought it would be ok, or is first gear useless

[Ziggy]

It's not far off useless with a 3.64 - really can't see any point going further than that! You could use it, but I certainly wouldn't recommend buying one.

[Rav335uk]

Ghecko, scrap the 3.73 mate, not a good idea.

[winx]

a 3.25 is great for cruising, motorway work etc but is a pain when you want the grunt there for roundabouts etc

Try and get a well looked after engine with as quiet a top end as possible. Most people say they go on for ever but I have had 2 rocker arms snap and the bottom end let go after ovrfuelling (washed the bores and caused huge wear).
Otherwise they are great, and sound lurvely!

[Jhonno]

My advice is drop an M52 in..

[ImysE30]

More money though isn't it?

Unless you know someone who does it for £1500-2k all in?

[Jhonno]

DIY it's not far off M30 costs with a much better/more modern engine at the end of it

[ImysE30]

DIY will always be cheaper but not everyone can do it DIY

[E30Gheko]

I thought about M52, but I think it would be a more expensive and perhaps a bit trickier for a novice like me.

M30 looks affordable and do-able with minimal assistance.

I agree though M52 would be very nice.

[Jhonno]

m52 is a piece of piss though

[e30_singh]

First thing is that you will need uprated suspension, 51mm struts and discs all round

I have a set of a 325i if you need it. PM me for details and pics

[oakey]

DIY it's not far off M30 costs with a much better/more modern engine at the end of it

A valid point-I'm sure any extra costs in fitting the m52 will be compensated by the saving on fuel in a few months

[leeparkes]

E30Gheko,can you weld?

[E30Gheko]

E30Gheko,can you weld?

Not in the slightest but I have a very good man nearby who is a damn good welder, and very reasonably priced.

[Rav335uk]

E30Gheko,can you weld?

Why???

What needs welding for an M30 conversion??

[E30Gheko]

DIY it's not far off M30 costs with a much better/more modern engine at the end of it

A valid point-I'm sure any extra costs in fitting the m52 will be compensated by the saving on fuel in a few months

My car gets used very little at the moment. Fuel costs are not an issue as my house is next door to my business!

By the way, I'd like to fit the m30 but I know these are pretty hard to come by (with the manual box anyway). I've just registered with copart for a cheap donor car as the Chester branch is just round the corner, so it may be a case of leaving my options open and just see what comes up for sale!

[E30Gheko]

E30Gheko,can you weld?

Why???

What needs welding for an M30 conversion??

- Exactly! One reason I wanted to go for it, to stay away from the manifold mares!

[Rav335uk]

So now you're 50-50

[leeparkes]

E30Gheko,can you weld?

Why???

What needs welding for an M30 conversion??

If he decided to go for an M52 swap (manifolds)

But he sounds set on doing an M30 so i shall say no more

[Jhonno]

DIY it's not far off M30 costs with a much better/more modern engine at the end of it

A valid point-I'm sure any extra costs in fitting the m52 will be compensated by the saving on fuel in a few months

Not just that, but the extra speed will be nice also

[E30Gheko]

Well, not really Rav. M30 is still my preferred choice. I didn't want to start a 'which engine choice is better' type thread because it's been hard enough to make my mind up already!

[Rav335uk]

What extra speed??

[E30Gheko]

Here we go....

[Rav335uk]

It's only a question

[Jhonno]

What extra speed??

Lighter weight, larger power band, with the 2.5 inlet manifold (who wouldn't fit one whilst it's apart!) more power than most M30's are still putting out, probably the same with the 2.8 one

[Rav335uk]

MMMMMMMMMMMMM