S14 E30 M3 engine in to E36.

[M3Compact]

Anybody heard of this being done before, or know anyone who's done it? (Apart from Nigel Moseley)

Advice required.

TIA.

[johnono]

time for a roastin

if poss, keep it e30 mate, ill be worth more in a few years

[M3Compact]

if poss, keep it e30 mate, ill be worth more in a few years

Too late.

[johnono]

o well

[M3Compact]

I have the E36 Compact, which has been built with the intention of using E36 M3 Evo engine.

Driving an E30 M3, a 4 cylinder E36 and an extended spell in an Evo, has convinced me to use an S14 drivetrain from an E30 M3.

One or two drivetrains from dead M3s lined up, questions I need answers to.

Alternatively, has anyone here converted an E30 M3 to RHD? (May help with exhaust queries)

[Andy325i]

I have the E36 Compact, which has been built with the intention of using E36 M3 Evo engine.

Driving an E30 M3, a 4 cylinder E36 and an extended spell in an Evo, has convinced me to use an S14 drivetrain from an E30 M3.

One or two drivetrains from dead M3s lined up, questions I need answers to.

Alternatively, has anyone here converted an E30 M3 to RHD? (May help with exhaust queries)

The people to talk to about right hand drive conversions are Birds. They converted 25-30 E30 M3's from brand new, using 325i racks. This is reported to reduce the responsiveness. Aparrently they threw away the M3 racks. Shame.

As to putting the S14 in the E36 why would you want to? Check out the M52B28 Engine for figures, it gives about the same power and apparently easier to drive as the performance is not all at the top of the rev range (only what I've heard).

[M3Compact]

As to putting the S14 in the E36 why would you want to? Check out the M52B28 Engine for figures, it gives about the same power and apparently easier to drive as the performance is not all at the top of the rev range

The M52 is a 6 cylinder tho', if we were to use a 6 pot, the S50 Evo engine would be the obvious choice.

The whole point of the S14, is 4 cylinder power. (Possibly even only 2.0L, to avoid competing in the same class as everything else over 2.0L)

E36 4 pots, have all the engine weight behind the strut tops, which makes them very nimble. the 6 pots 'handle well' but in a different way to our requirements. (closed roads/lanes/forest tracks etc)

M42s are difficult to get the power out of, so an S14 seems the way to go, we're open to better suggestions if anyone knows something about M42s, that we haven't been told.

[Jhonno]

what do you need to know bout M52 lumps?

They dont weigh much due to the alloy block

[M3Compact]

what do you need to know bout M52 lumps?

They dont weigh much due to the alloy block

Sorry Johnno, it's M42s we're up for suggestions about. (Typo as M52 corrected)

M42 would be easy, S14 gives the power easily.

With S14/E36, Nigel Moseley (Moselsy Motorsport) tells me that the steering coupling needs modifying, I can't see why if a custom exhaust manifold is being used, unless he is correct about the steering rack requiring relocation.

I can't see why the steering rack needs relocatoing, if a custom sump or dry sump is used.

Hence, questions.

I'd like to find someone else who's done this before.

[Andy325i]

sorry missed your point about it being for rallying, why use a compact shell? anyone know what each weighs?

[M3Compact]

sorry missed your point about it being for rallying, why use a compact shell? anyone know what each weighs?

It's not just the overall weight, it's the fact that the 4 pots have all their weight behind the strut tops with an E36.

E30 strut tops are further back.

With no weight hanging over the front of the wheels, the car is more nimble, I've done loads of testing and it's a big about turn for us to ditch the S50 plan.

We're nearly ready for the engine/box and the S14 seems to ba a lot easier to get some power from. (The car has an M42 as standard and some M42 power would be really easy to install, but difficult to obtain. )

[billgatese30]

sorry missed your point about it being for rallying, why use a compact shell? anyone know what each weighs?

i think the compact had a shorter wheelbase, adding to the nibleness around the stages, plus if he is using the original sus then it had the same rear end stuff as a late e30 making it very livley which is a bonus for rallying

[M3Compact]

i think the compact had a shorter wheelbase, adding to the nibleness around the stages,

Only very slighter shorter wheelbase, much less rear overhang tho' and the rear weight balances further forwards than with the E36 Coupe.

plus if he is using the original sus then it had the same rear end stuff as a late e30 making it very livley which is a bonus for rallying

E30 rear end is better than E36 in every regard imo.

Also, a hatchback is more suitable for rallying generally.

Know anyone with an S14 in an E36? Or a 220+ BHP M42?

[billgatese30]

sorry mate, don't know of anyone with a s14 compact. forgot about the 50/50 wieght balence in the compact but that is a very good point.
sorry i can't help but good luck with it, let me know if your doing any rallies int he north east of england and i might pop along

[ian332isport]

I can't see why the steering rack needs relocatoing, if a custom sump or dry sump is used.

Simon,

I can't see any reason why the steering rack would need to be moved.

Although not an M3, the regular E30 will take an E36 rack without any great problems. The rack is the same physical size, and the mounting points are the same. You need to mess around with the coupling, but this is more to do with the different spline length than anything else.

If you can fit an E36 rack and engine in an E30, the S14 should equally fit in the E36.

Ian.

[M3Compact]

If you can fit an E36 rack and engine in an E30, the S14 should equally fit in the E36.

My feelings too Ian.

I don't like to question what I've been told, Moseley's have been very, very helpful in a lot of ways.

They have run an S14 Compact circuit racer, currently an M42 Compact due to regs and BMW not producing an S14 E36 road car.

The exhaust manifold and sump can be sorted easily, the rack relocation can't, as I want a car that is easy to swap spare components on to mid-event if required.

Nobody else done this conversion?

[Demlotcrew]

But the s14 sump is in the way, thats why they would need to touch up the rack.

There is a S42 look for it on the web some info about it, but not much. It was used over the S14 when BMW was touring the E36.


http://www.kempower.be/racedif/raceengines.htm


Andrew

[M3Compact]

But the s14 sump is in the way, thats why they would need to touch up the rack.

This is what I'm questioning, can relocating the rack be avoided by (preferably) using a custom sump pan, or if needs be, by dry sumping?

Thanks for the S42 link, I've never heard of one before, but I suspect that it may exceed our budget, by Ԛ£loads.