V8 swap that doesn`t need relocating brake booster?
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- Rob_farmer
- E30 Zone Newbie

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- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Latvia
Guys,
Is there such engine to swap in, but brake booster must stay where it is? If that changes anything - its left hand drive, non UK car.
Why? Because our law prohibits brake booster relocation.
Is there such engine to swap in, but brake booster must stay where it is? If that changes anything - its left hand drive, non UK car.
Why? Because our law prohibits brake booster relocation.
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
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leeparkes
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You probably could if you located the engine further forward but then it would upset the balance of the car.
Then the rad would be an issue.
Then the rad would be an issue.
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place..
- Rob_farmer
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Shame. Thanks guys.
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
Are you able to go for a setup that doesn't use a booster?
or does the law state that you have to have one fitted?
or does the law state that you have to have one fitted?

6pot wilwoods front
4pot Porsche rear
89 E30 stripped running a 6speed V8
Twin Turbo M60 in progress
- Rob_farmer
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Law says - you are not allowed to modify or remove factory fitted brake system components - no relocating/swapping boosters, no changing of brake calipers(big brake kits) etc.
How it works in our country - if you do any engine swaps, you have to go for inspection and get certified with DVLA kind of agency. Inspectors are pretty smart there and they will see booster is gone won`t give approval. Of course I can go "well it never had traditional booster bla bla bla", but they will then dig up papers. Also, sooo many of the E30`s are swapped and inspectors know them inside out by now. If you don`t get approval, you can`t pass MOT and then you can`t insure your car.
How it works in our country - if you do any engine swaps, you have to go for inspection and get certified with DVLA kind of agency. Inspectors are pretty smart there and they will see booster is gone won`t give approval. Of course I can go "well it never had traditional booster bla bla bla", but they will then dig up papers. Also, sooo many of the E30`s are swapped and inspectors know them inside out by now. If you don`t get approval, you can`t pass MOT and then you can`t insure your car.
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
So you can fit a bigger engine to make the car faster, but must leave the brakes standard?Rob_farmer wrote:no changing of brake calipers(big brake kits) etc.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
agh i see, sounds quite strict on that sort of thing. Hopefully this hole of a country doesn't take the same route.
would you be able to just shift it over slightly so it looks like its still there but not used as such
would you be able to just shift it over slightly so it looks like its still there but not used as such

6pot wilwoods front
4pot Porsche rear
89 E30 stripped running a 6speed V8
Twin Turbo M60 in progress
Still wouldn't give much room for a V8??Driftben wrote: would you be able to just shift it over slightly so it looks like its still there but not used as such
If the servo must remain standard and in standard location, that would make even an M50/52 swap difficult.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
- Rob_farmer
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James, well spotted! You are dead right. We can fit ANY engine, as long as brake booster stays intact. Also you are not allowed to mod/cut into firewall, cut/weld wishbone or any other structural components of the car. If you swap engine/suspension parts, you MUST use only BMW factory made components - for example engine mounts, they can come off E36 or E32 etc, they must have BMW logo or BMW parts number on them. They won`t sign off custom made engine mounts. But some inspectors are BMW fans and will close their eyes on good quality, well made brackets.
Last edited by Rob_farmer on Thu Jan 02, 2014 5:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
- Rob_farmer
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 204
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Latvia
How much we talking about?Driftben wrote:would you be able to just shift it over slightly so it looks like its still there but not used as such
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
well looking at mine even though iv moved it back to the max, i recon you could fit a MK1 golf booster in there maybe with some shoe horning?
doesn't seem right on the ok for the engine conversions but not upgrading the brakes though?
doesn't seem right on the ok for the engine conversions but not upgrading the brakes though?

6pot wilwoods front
4pot Porsche rear
89 E30 stripped running a 6speed V8
Twin Turbo M60 in progress
- Rob_farmer
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- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:00 pm
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Any mods can be done and signed off, but only for track cars. They have special track car V5. You are allowed on public roads, but driving is allowed to/from track/garage. Being cought daily driving with such V5 will results in very serious trouble.
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
- Rob_farmer
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 204
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Latvia
Shifting booster just a bit or/and fitting a little bit different size one, might do the trick with "right" inspectorDriftben wrote:well looking at mine even though iv moved it back to the max, i recon you could fit a MK1 golf booster in there maybe with some shoe horning?
doesn't seem right on the ok for the engine conversions but not upgrading the brakes though?
Tell me about it - there is no logic at all.
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
- Rob_farmer
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 204
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:00 pm
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Hmm, I can`t see brake servo on your photos?
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
I'm pretty sure you need custom mounts for a V8, so that would also be another hurdle if you must use factory parts... can't be many M30 conversions over there either.
Sounds like a bit of ball ache
Sounds like a bit of ball ache
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
- Rob_farmer
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I keep trying to find a single road legal signed off V8 in our country, zero so far. But I still hope, there must be a solution. Maybe with some help of right inspector.jmc330i wrote:I'm pretty sure you need custom mounts for a V8, so that would also be another hurdle if you must use factory parts... can't be many M30 conversions over there either.
Sounds like a bit of ball ache
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
- Rob_farmer
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 204
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Latvia
Damn, there is no space for servoDriftben wrote:because i don't have one me lad, iv gone for the mans setup![]()
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
- Rob_farmer
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 204
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Latvia
Firewall/bulkhead, tranny tunnel can`t be cut or modified.broadie wrote:Can you rework the bulkhead?
Or lower the motor and fit a dry sump.
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
- Rob_farmer
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 204
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Latvia
I`m not son of oligarch
I`m driving E30, 1989, 325i, 4 door. Restoring 1990, 4 door.
I am doing a M70 swap,,
the M70 is 60° so the angle is more narrow vs M/S6x that is no problem using the hydro ((E32 V12 system))
the M70 is 60° so the angle is more narrow vs M/S6x that is no problem using the hydro ((E32 V12 system))
Sveinbjörn Hrafnsson
E30 CABRIO M70B50 V12 5lug
ALPINA B10 BITURBO 346@507
550 V12 JML Motorsport
http://alpina.123.is/pictures/
E30 CABRIO M70B50 V12 5lug
ALPINA B10 BITURBO 346@507
550 V12 JML Motorsport
http://alpina.123.is/pictures/
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leeparkes
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 9538
- Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:00 pm
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Ive sent quite a few sets of M30 mounts over there.jmc330i wrote:I'm pretty sure you need custom mounts for a V8, so that would also be another hurdle if you must use factory parts... can't be many M30 conversions over there either.
What madness though! you can drastically up the power but has to be on standard brakes.
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place..
You can insure a V8 powered e30 I think my quote was £230 fully comp.
you can also MOT it and I'm sure all you have to do is update the V5 (if you want to) by ringing the dreaded DVLA cock jockeys and asking them to update the licence. Then they will probably up your road tax because they can!
Might be wrong but that's how I portrayed it
you can also MOT it and I'm sure all you have to do is update the V5 (if you want to) by ringing the dreaded DVLA cock jockeys and asking them to update the licence. Then they will probably up your road tax because they can!
Might be wrong but that's how I portrayed it

6pot wilwoods front
4pot Porsche rear
89 E30 stripped running a 6speed V8
Twin Turbo M60 in progress
I know people who have told the dvla about the change of cc, but realistically nobody bothers as it can cause more headache than its worth. The dvla will only be bothered if the tax class changes, which won't be a problem for an E30.
You don't need to update the V5 for MOT purposes. All that matters is that your insurance knows.
You don't need to update the V5 for MOT purposes. All that matters is that your insurance knows.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v




