325tds engine into e30

Post Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:10 pm

i want an e30 desperately but i need a diesel as i do a lot of miles so i was wondering if a e36 tds engine can fit in easy enough.

Post Thu Aug 27, 2009 12:56 am

i'm sure there's an e30 with a 2.4 diesel, i think an e36 tds would fit in as easy as an m50 swap would be, would you be doing the work yourself or paying a garage?

Post Thu Aug 27, 2009 1:11 am

Reflex wrote:i'm sure there's an e30 with a 2.4 diesel

There is, a 324d. But I dont think we got them in the UK.

i think an e36 tds would fit in as easy as an m50 swap would be

Id go for an E34 525tds, sump etc will be in the right place. Fitting the engine might be as easy as an M50, but exhaust manifold, turbo placement, plumbing the intercooler etc would more than likely be a headache.

That said, Id be more than interested in hearing more. I now the later 3.0ltr diesels would be much more lively, but 2.5tds engined cars can be picked up quite cheap now.

Post Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:50 am

Aren't the fuel pumps a weak link on the M51 engine?

Be a bugger to make the conversion only to be saddled with a £1k bill for a new pump!

Post Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:14 am

How about L.P.G? Lots of experts on the Zone

Post Thu Aug 27, 2009 6:54 pm

Turbo-Brown wrote:Aren't the fuel pumps a weak link on the M51 engine?

Be a bugger to make the conversion only to be saddled with a £1k bill for a new pump!

Its the injection pump thats supposed to be the weak link.

Althought i have one with 225,000 miles on it !!!!

Post Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:57 pm

This has been discussed before. The pump is a weak spot since our super intelligent government removed the lubricating sulphur from diesel. You'd have to drive to the moon to recoup the costs/time spent DIY.

LPG is the way forward, my E30 325i on lpg does 45mpg equivalent thrashing it everywhere. Will take just over 10,000 miles to pay back the investment of lpg and the car never came off the road for more than half a day! My E36 325tds touring does 39mpg driven reasonably sensibly!!!

Post Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:19 pm

e301988325i wrote:This has been discussed before. The pump is a weak spot since our super intelligent government removed the lubricating sulphur from diesel. You'd have to drive to the moon to recoup the costs/time spent DIY.

LPG is the way forward, my E30 325i on lpg does 45mpg equivalent thrashing it everywhere. Will take just over 10,000 miles to pay back the investment of lpg and the car never came off the road for more than half a day! My E36 325tds touring does 39mpg driven reasonably sensibly!!!

+1

I would rather LPG it than diesel.
BTW there was a 325 TD in Germany as well in an E30. But bet you won't find a usable one with reasonable mileage.