Rebulding an m30 for a transplant.

Discuss general engine, turbo and supercharger conversions in this section

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
yamoda
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Enfield

Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:33 pm

Yes another 335 in the pipeline!
I will be rebuilding the m30 before it goes in and was wondering if anyone could help with a few tips to get some extra horses. I can cope with the assembly but any help with porting heads, camshaft recommendations etc would be more than welcome!
DRIFTBOY
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3131
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Kent

Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:14 pm

Schrick camshafts are always highly recommended for BMW engines, best to use new valve springs, rockers and rocker shafts with a new camshaft too. Make sure valves are ground in well and seal against the valve seats.
Good idea, especially if you get the head ported, to have the ports in the inlet and exhaust manifolds matched to the head too.
A little skim of the head wouldn't hurt, even just to make sure it is flat, the standard compression ratio is 9:1 so unless you plan turbo or supercharging it it's a little low.
Also the usual free flow exhaust and air intake must help a little too.
Tubular exhaust manifold, if you can get one to fit past the steering coupling, and are a bit pricey!
Chips are available for the M30 ecu as well.
User avatar
rob750
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 43
Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:00 pm

Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:44 pm

If you were considering a turbo would the compression ratio be ok ?
DRIFTBOY
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3131
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Kent

Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:50 pm

Toby Unna is your man for that one! Find his thread - it's fascinating!
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=21753
Seems it's ok for low to moderate boost but I can't give you exact figures. I suppose it would depend on the efficiency of the exhaust and more so the intercooler, to an extent. Water injection might help a little bit too!

Out of my price range at the mo all that. :(
Last edited by DRIFTBOY on Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
yamoda
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Enfield

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:19 pm

Many thanks. TBH, I had the idea of a turbo in the back of my mind.
The plan is to rebuild the engine now, stick it in and drive the thing for a few months (Its going to be my "getting to work and back" car) until it starts to feel slow :) And then stick a turbo on it.
Would this affect the choice of camshaft and would the stock pistons be up to the job?
DRIFTBOY
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3131
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Kent

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:26 pm

Again, Toby used standard pistons so should be ok, but I wouldn't go silly with boost!

And yeah, turbos and very wild camshafts can be a bit of a pain, so I have read many times.
I went for a Schrick 284 with the same idea as you, possible forced induction later on.
Post Reply