Is 1.8 Carbed M10 Engine Worth Anything?

Post Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:00 pm

I'll soon be starting my engine conversion. 1987 D reg 316 chromie 2 door. The 1.8 carbed M10 engine has only done 68k miles, and runs really well considering it has sat for 2 years in a garage (deceased estate), but the intention was always to replace with a M52B28 engine.

The question is, is the engine worth selling? If so, worth selling as a whole, or broken for parts? I really don't want an engine sat on the drive for too long.

Thanks

Post Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:04 pm

It would have been to me a couple weeks back

Theres definately people still looking for them, not everyone can afford to do a swap, my m10 blew up and as much as i wanted to m20 it i couldnt fford to so another m10 was the only option. It might be worth putting up on the E21 forum as those lads still appreciate the mighty 1.8 ha. Best of luck

Post Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:25 pm

Some M10 engines are desirable. Unfortunately the carbed ones in E30's are not. Poor head flow and piston design means most people avoid them.

Gearboxes can be used for people doing M30 conversions though.

Post Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:51 pm

Fuuny you say that.
Over on the E21 forum, The E30 M10 is the better flowing engine.

Post Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:08 pm

The injection ones are one of the best flowing, but the carbed one has quite small ports.

Post Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm

If its a manual I will buy the gearbox off you, let me know please.

Post Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:44 am

Is the carb a Weber or Pierburg?

Post Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:23 am

Ask me, I can't change the engine, as its against the laws here

Anyway, I like to keep the cars stock. The only changes I'm willing to do is:

- Change steel wheels to alloys if I ever find them here,
- Putting in a Weber carb as soon as my workshop guy stops ignoring it and starts the work
- K&N Bolt-on filter kit if the local K&N dealer sources it.

Post Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:53 am

Thanks for all replies. Looks like it will be worth selling. It won't be for a month or 2, but I'll post all parts on the for sale section when removed. I have another gearbox and engine already, so both should be available.

Cheers

Post Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:56 am

Automaton wrote:Ask me, I can't change the engine, as its against the laws here
Anyway, I like to keep the cars stock. The only changes I'm willing to do is:

- Change steel wheels to alloys if I ever find them here,
- Putting in a Weber carb as soon as my workshop guy stops ignoring it and starts the work
- K&N Bolt-on filter kit if the local K&N dealer sources it.

Its illegal to change the engine? IS this enforced? Forgive my hideous ignorance but I thought motoring laws in India were almost non existant

Post Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:14 am

You have to justify to the RTO, the regional transport officer in your city, why it has to be changed, and only with the same brand and size. Can't put in a 2.5 lump because you feel like.

This was enforced many years back when some countries dumped old diesels here by the container, and the locals lapped them up, converting petrol to smoky old diesels. Daihatsu, Toyota and Isuzu engines if I can remember.

Oh we have all the laws in place, just very few followers

The scene in Thailand is quite the opposite. Almost all the E30 owners that I have interacted with have dumped the BMW engines for Nissan force induction rockets, and some radical styling and tuning.