bought a 2 door 320i today, pick it up tomorrow. so the project begins this week. first i have to remove the engine, box and some suspension from the escort that i had already converted to rear wheel drive. then i can get rid of the escort out of the garage, so i can get the e30 in. i will put up pics as i go on with the project.
Last edited by glenn on Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.
i bought the whole running gear off an e39 m5 from fab's. engine gearbox(6 speed),prop, exausts, radiator, clocks, complete loom, brain etc and then i bought a complete rear axle off an e36 m3 evo and the front legs off an e36 m3.so now it's just a matter of getting them on to an e30!!
dont ask about the cost, it's frightning , nearly into five figues
i dont think mine will see much daylight this side of the summer and that's just the mechanicals. i've still got to remove the engine, box and the rest of the running gear of the escort yet! this weather is'nt helping my enthusiasm
There are a couple of E39 M5 powered e30's knocking about in europe at the moment, i'll try and find some links for you.
BTW, how are you gonna get the engine to sit low enough to close the bonnet? I looked at putting this engine into an E36 touring last year but couldn't find a satisfactory way of dropping the engine low enough to clear the underside of the bonnet.
The regular 4.0 & 4.4 V8s fit the E30 & E36 but the M5 is about 1.5-2" taller due to the plenum chamber.
Jon i am also gonna face the bonnet issue with my engine.... i reckon i will just add a powerbulge, however, it is possible to do as hartge did with the h36 and make up a spacer to go between the front subframe and the chassis so essentially lowering the engine by the desired amount.
having researched the spacer in the subframe idea i have realised that it may cause bumpsteer as the steering arm and control arm will not be parallel to the road....
got the engine and box out of the 320 today.
gave the engine bay a powerwash just to clean it up a bit.
if anyone wants the engine,box or rad, give us a shout,
you can have it for nothing, just take it away.
yer attitudes appreciated dude but...bollocx... don't be a Rodney... Rodney... I mean what a waste of time. Just go and buy a foookin' M5 and save yerself a heeeeep of effort. M5s a great car... Anyway finks... the M5 engines can be a bit fragile... Besides try s**gin' in the back of an M5. Tons more rooooom than a 3 series. Oooooh happy memories...
big engine in little car equals BIG fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!
plus i like myself i suspect for glenn most of the fun is in the project itself and doing it ureself instead of having a car that someone else has.... this will be unique and is the only one i know of in the UK.
Doing a conversion is great especially for someone like me who is a first timer and can learn so much from others' experiences and apply them and learn so much about cars.. plus imagine the look on an e46 m3 drivers face when u paste em silly with a 318i badge on the bootlid.. its the best feeling there is!!!!
I agree with Dave, Mr Pacer isnt openly offensive even if he does like a good laugh.
Perhaps one of the mods could look into it, theyve traced ppls accounts before?