Hi all. Over the next year or so I'm looking to get a cheap e30. Like 318 or 320 or something that looks just like a normal e30.
Then I'm wanting to shove a v8 in it. I know this has been done before but what v8 fits in best and the main question where do I get one? Brand new!.
I was looking at the corvettes engines ls1, ls2 and have found a source where I can get them brand new but wasn't sure if there's a engine that will fit easier or is cheaper or ant other places where I can get one.
The Chev engine is a nice one to use. There are a couple of such swaps going on in Australia at the moment. Another possibility is the V8 out of a a Toyota: the 1UZFE 4.0 litre quad cam. They're quite nice. Again, a couple of such swaps are being done here.
Sample:
But when you say "new", do you mean "fresh built" or "brand new"?
brand new as in a no millage engine straight from facotry. Not one thats been made just for me but still a brand new engine. Yeah i knwo itll be ££££ but where do i get one?
I was meaning easy as in not have to do as much work to get it to fit as you may have to do more with some engines?
Can buy brnd new LS1/2's from the states. About 4-5k iirc then you'll need a tremec/TKO T56 to suit. Then management, another 1k. But would make a superb car
First of all, when you're starting such a swap you definitely need to start with 325i / 318iS / 320iS / M3. NOT with 316. The reason being that the uprated suspension-brakes are the absolutely minimum for such a swap, though it won't hurt you if you get them upgraded at the same time. The more powerfull basis-models have also extra options as standard..
And what comes to engines, well.. american v8's are cheap and small, but old technology. Japanese and European engines are far more advanced, but cost quite a much more. For example BMW E39 M5 engine with all the bits and bolts & transmission is something like 20 000€ from dealer..
E30 Cabrio M-Tech, powered by V8
E34 M5 3.8 x 2
Alpina D10 Touring #33/93
For if I was to pick up a 740i for cheap like you sayed above I can take the v8 engine from there along with everything else that is needed. Should the v8 from a 740i fit straight into a 3 series or is there always going to be work to get the engine to slot in if I'm wanting a v8.
Thepie wrote:Should the v8 from a 740i fit straight into a 3 series or is there always going to be work to get the engine to slot in if I'm wanting a v8.
You will be looking at hours and hours and hours of cutting, machining, bashing, swearing, grazing knuckles, wiring, blood sweat and tears before you get it done.
This is NOT just a 'i could do it in a weekend' job!!!
MarkT wrote:Can buy brnd new LS1/2's from the states. About 4-5k iirc then you'll need a tremec/TKO T56 to suit. Then management, another 1k. But would make a superb car
there's some specialists in the UK that will import and sell you packages including all you need go get it work. I was looking for the Sportster but very quickly got to over 6k
listen im from the U.S. dont be fooled into thinkin cuz its new its going to last I know first hand even when certified techs put those things in the cars there ment for they still fail if your lucky your going to get 80 thousand miles out of the thing and thats if your lucky! stick with the germans its not cheep but thats because its worth buying!
I have been looking at an LS1 project for a while - ever since Wayne's orange M3 turned up in PPC! Now I'm finally cracking on with it.
Research suggests a used engine and box can be picked up from a US breaker, including shipping and taxes etc for around £4-£5k. Corvette is no good as it uses a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, for best value you need an engine and T56 manual 6-speed out of a Camaro or a Pontiac GTO. If you're VERY VERY lucky, you might get one out of a Monaro here. Good engines, can't beat them for BHP/Kg, being all aluminium (stock LS1 makes 350bhp and I believe weighs less than an M20). And very tuneable.
Engine and box will slot straight into an E30 with no cutting and shutting - some folk have had to use a lump hammer on the transmission tunnel to get the T56 in but some havn't - just custom engine and 'box mounts are required. As usual, the brake servo is the big issue - there are numerous ways around this, will figure that out when I get to it.
Prop shaft will have to be modified and there's no way the stock rear diff and mounting will take the torque. I was going to go Z3M rear end with the meatier diff and perhaps a custom diff mount. But the Z3 3.15 diff and the T56 ratios will give you astronomical gearing so you may need an ATB/LSD ordered with a ratio to suit.
Go for it! It would be good to not be the only one here having a go - but it is NOT going to be cheap.
Motorhole wrote:Prop shaft will have to be modified and there's no way the stock rear diff and mounting will take the torque. I was going to go Z3M rear end with the meatier diff and perhaps a custom diff mount. But the Z3 3.15 diff and the T56 ratios will give you astronomical gearing so you may need an ATB/LSD ordered with a ratio to suit.
Z3M has the same typ188 diff as e30... it's newer so there comes the durability, not of being bigger / stronger in any other way..
E30 Cabrio M-Tech, powered by V8
E34 M5 3.8 x 2
Alpina D10 Touring #33/93
That's handy to know...so the internals are no different from any other E30 large case diff, save for the different sized (is it crown wheel?) for the ratio?
Motorhole wrote:That's handy to know...so the internals are no different from any other E30 large case diff, save for the different sized (is it crown wheel?) for the ratio?
Yes they're all same. Small differences might exist but basically all typ188 differential internals are the same. Of course the casings differ depending on model.
Same typ 188's have been used for long long time. For example i have brand new typ188 LSD from E28 with Z3M back cover in my E30..
E30 Cabrio M-Tech, powered by V8
E34 M5 3.8 x 2
Alpina D10 Touring #33/93
Seems rather lamentable. Is that down to poor build quality or shoddy materials?
