M60 4 litre conversion questions

Sat Oct 02, 2010 5:09 pm

Hi, im new to the forum, and looking to buy an e30 and drop a 4 litre in..

But 1st i got a few questions,

1. Is there a parts list on the forum.

2. Does it make any difference wat e30 i get? As in engine size.

3. Im hoping to use a tourer. Is there any differrnce than a coupe, as in fitment and so on.

4. How much welding is involved? As i have never welded.

5. Should i look out for a full 540i or 740i car for a donor? Or just buy engine box ecu loom and ews module?

Thats all for now. I think

Sat Oct 02, 2010 5:13 pm

What sort of work have you done before? this is a BIG job and needs a little more than welding.

Sat Oct 02, 2010 6:20 pm

staley_turbo wrote:What sort of work have you done before? this is a BIG job and needs a little more than welding.

I have done a few engine conversions, built a mini clubman with a metro turbo engine when i was 16, converted a 1.1 pug 106 to 1.6 gti..

As for bmws go, i currently drive a bmw 325 e36, which had a blown engine when i got it. Which i have replaced with another 2.5 lump. Also done an auto to manual conversion on my mates e36 320.

I no an e30 to m60 is a huge difference but i got plenty of time and im not in a rush

Thanks for quick reply mate

Regards Gary

Sat Oct 02, 2010 6:28 pm

you'll be fine gary....and welcome to the e30zone

you probably wont need to do any welding on the car, but you'll need to have some welding done....mainly exhaust manifolds and engine mounts.

there's enough info on this site to guide you through the conversion.

good luck

Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:05 pm

glenn wrote:you'll be fine gary....and welcome to the e30zone

you probably wont need to do any welding on the car, but you'll need to have some welding done....mainly exhaust manifolds and engine mounts.

there's enough info on this site to guide you through the conversion.

good luck

Thanks mate, aslong as i can take bits to be welded i got a guy local can do it.

I see ur only in blackwood mate, im in merthyr so not far from u

Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:16 pm

pop down anytime

Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:19 pm

glenn wrote:pop down anytime

I take it thats ur car in the pic, looks mint. Ill come c it some time

Sat Oct 02, 2010 8:02 pm

I have done a few engine conversions, built a mini clubman with a metro turbo engine when i was 16, converted a 1.1 pug 106 to 1.6 gti..

As for bmws go, i currently drive a bmw 325 e36, which had a blown engine when i got it. Which i have replaced with another 2.5 lump. Also done an auto to manual conversion on my mates e36 320.

I no an e30 to m60 is a huge difference but i got plenty of time and im not in a rush

Thanks for quick reply mate

Regards Gary

There's a start, better than most people

The m60 is a good engine and nice and cheap for what you get, but be sure to buy a good one. They had big problems with bores due to fuel octane levels.
I would look for a full, running car as your going to need the matching ecu and key etc.. Id use the 325 box with adaptor plate as manual v8 boxes are rare and expensive. Just a few ideas for you?

Sat Oct 02, 2010 8:41 pm

and if u need some engine mounts pm me

Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:29 pm

staley_turbo wrote:
I have done a few engine conversions, built a mini clubman with a metro turbo engine when i was 16, converted a 1.1 pug 106 to 1.6 gti..

As for bmws go, i currently drive a bmw 325 e36, which had a blown engine when i got it. Which i have replaced with another 2.5 lump. Also done an auto to manual conversion on my mates e36 320.

I no an e30 to m60 is a huge difference but i got plenty of time and im not in a rush

Thanks for quick reply mate

Regards Gary
There's a start, better than most people
The m60 is a good engine and nice and cheap for what you get, but be sure to buy a good one. They had big problems with bores due to fuel octane levels.
I would look for a full, running car as your going to need the matching ecu and key etc.. Id use the 325 box with adaptor plate as manual v8 boxes are rare and expensive. Just a few ideas for you?

Does a getrag box from an e36 work? Is it best to look for a 325 e30 or any will do? I no of a very cheap 318 tourer, will that be a good starting point?

Yea i thought it might be best to get full donor car so i can use ecu and also wont have any ews probelms.

Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:31 pm

vokietis wrote:and if u need some engine mounts pm me

U got a price, but am goin to find my 540 donor 1st before buying mounts and so on.

Sat Oct 02, 2010 11:23 pm

Does a getrag box from an e36 work? Is it best to look for a 325 e30 or any will do? I no of a very cheap 318 tourer, will that be a good starting point?

Yea i thought it might be best to get full donor car so i can use ecu and also wont have any ews probelms.

A lot of gearboxes will work with the right adaptor plate, my friend used the standard e30 325 box on his v12 as manual boxes for them are mega dosh! A 318 wouldn't be my cup of tea but any e30 is a starting point. Have you looked at moving the brake servo to the front or removing it? i do have a guide somewhere on the whole conversion.

Sat Oct 02, 2010 11:27 pm

There is more than everything you need here.

http://e30v8.plainsimple.dk/

Sun Oct 03, 2010 10:23 am

staley_turbo wrote:There is more than everything you need here.

http://e30v8.plainsimple.dk/

Thanks mate, that will help me a great deal. Goin have read through that today, got 2 cars to view later a 318 tourer and a 320 coupe, hopefully one of them will have a decent rust free body.

You said most gearboxs work with a matching plate ? Where can i get one when i need it?

Sun Oct 03, 2010 10:42 am

You said most gearboxs work with a matching plate ? Where can i get one when i need it?

Make this yourself or have it made. Not sure if theres anyone making these.

Sun Oct 03, 2010 3:49 pm

staley_turbo wrote:
You said most gearboxs work with a matching plate ? Where can i get one when i need it?
Make this yourself or have it made. Not sure if theres anyone making these.

Ok thanks mate, i take it the easy option is to find a manual m60 box.

Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:00 pm

go for it and good luck!! I have been doing the conversion my self and with a great lot of help from the guys here on the zone its going well so far.... (I may change this quote when I get to the electrics )

Tue Oct 05, 2010 1:18 pm

littlechef wrote:go for it and good luck!! I have been doing the conversion my self and with a great lot of help from the guys here on the zone its going well so far.... (I may change this quote when I get to the electrics )

Yea iv read ur thread front to bck over the last couple of days, also done alot of reading about it on other forums and its got me thinking if i should go down the v8 route or an m50 turbo, im waying up my options at the moment as in cost an work involved.

The m50 turbo seems to be an easyier option for me i think. I have been to look at a couple of e30's over the weekend but both pretty rusty, i at least want a decent shell to start with.

I would love the v8 e30 but after the reading i have done it seems alot of work maybe more than im capable to handle.

Fitting an m50 with a turbo doesnt seem to be out of my capability.

Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:14 pm

There are a few e30s about with small block chevy lumps in. There a very small size engine and look quite easy to fit. I think a turbo conversion will cost you more. Its up to you - there are so many engines you could put in!

Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:53 pm

staley_turbo wrote:There are a few e30s about with small block chevy lumps in. There a very small size engine and look quite easy to fit. I think a turbo conversion will cost you more. Its up to you - there are so many engines you could put in!

From wat i have read, it looks like i can do a turbo conversion for less than 2 grand and get maybe 300 to 350 hp.. and wat i have read i could get that on stock internals.

As for a small block chevy engine i wouldnt no where to start.