3.5 into e30

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:23 am

a friend of mine has a 325i. what is exactly involved in fitting an e28 3.5 lump into it. looms, ecus, mounts, gearbox bellhousing etc

thanks people

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 8:56 am

do a search mate theres absolutely stacks of info from many zoners who have done this and documented it here.

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:58 pm

buster wrote:do a search mate theres absolutely stacks of info from many zoners who have done this and documented it here.

I knew that would be the first post. Eitehr the search isn't working properly or these definitive "how to" threads don't actually exist. I've never been able to find them and it's put my M30 project back a good montho or so as a result.

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:09 pm

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:15 pm

I've read every word of each of those threads already. Like i said there's no difinitive "this is what you do with these parts in this order" thread. There's stacks of info on little bits and pieces but it's a bastard job to collate it all together. I put my project back a month because i Sorned the car and started it having read all the "go for it, it's really simple" threads, then i scratched a bit deeper and found that it's not. It'll happen, just not in 2006.

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:38 pm

some times you've just got to get stuck in im affraid

Same when i did my s50 conversion,most of it you figure out for yourself.Theres also a lot of info on the e30.de site on the m30 swap.

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:42 pm

Only found the E30.de site last week!!

I'd love to just start and see what happens, but i can't do it myself (no space, plus cost of tools would be too great). So the more uncertainties, the more it'll cost me to have it done.

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:47 pm

sorry chaps im sort of half way through coursework and not concentrating, just wanted a sort of diffinitive guide for a friend. will give a better look when its all done.

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:53 pm

I did my s50 conversion outside on the drive,no garage.I think toby did his m30 conversion outside too !!

Get cracking with the nacking !!

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:05 pm

I did my M30 conversion outside on the driveway too.

I personally don't think there can be a 'definitive guide' as it does depend on the age, spec and model of E30 you use and the age, spec and model of donor car. Parts vary slightly.
Which engine position you use also affects a few things.
It seems that no two conversions come out exactly the same.

How easy the job is depends on your experience, the tools you have (as mentioned) and your ability.
I certainly struggled with some parts of the job but I'm happy to have learned from doing it.

There should be enough info on here to give anyone at least a good start.

The best thing to do is to start a new topic when you start the project so people can follow the conversion and help out, give ideas and answer questions along the way.

I'm always glad to advise where I can and I'm on the zone virtually every day, as are many others here, but we can only help if we know that someone needs help!

My advice - start a topic and keep it updated. With pics too!

And good luck!

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:08 pm

I can't do it on the drive either as it's on a steep slope.
I've got pretty much all the info i need now so will be getting underway in January probably, depends when i find a suitable 535 now.

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:14 pm

agent006 wrote:I can't do it on the drive either as it's on a steep slope.

So is mine!

Luckily it is wide enough to get a car on across it, still a bit of a pain though. Put the axle stands on one side a notch higher than the other side to level it out!

Shouldn't be too much trouble to find a cheap, manual 535i. Usually a few on Ebay!

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 8:30 pm

DRIFTBOY wrote: Shouldn't be too much trouble to find a cheap, manual 535i.

Finding one without starship mileage and a trousered engine is a bit harder though. Missed an 80k miler a few weeks back as i couldn't get down there to see it before the ebay item finished. Got saved search emails coming every day, so can't be long now.

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 8:42 pm

agent006 wrote:
DRIFTBOY wrote: Shouldn't be too much trouble to find a cheap, manual 535i.
Finding one without starship mileage and a trousered engine is a bit harder though.

True.
It's usually just the top end that gets a bit rattly, it seems the bottom ends go on almost for ever!

It is worth putting a new water pump on the engine before fitting it though, appears to be a slightly weak point and they aren't expensive - Ã‚£30 - Ã‚£40.

Post Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:32 pm

to be honest, most M30 engined bw's have been most of the way to the moon and back but generally are very strong still. if it's less than 150k, you can't go far wrong. history of oil and coolant changes are arguably more important than milage. a replacement lump will only ever cost Ã‚£100 - 200 if it does all go wrong....

the single most important thignto find for a donor (financially) is a manual box. my 98k fsh donor 735i cost me Ã‚£100 but the manual box and flywheel cost twice that! i want for the auto donor as i knew the engine was sweeeeeet and an old mans auto 735i will never get thrashed as hard as say a 535i sport manual.

regarding the best way to do the conversion, getting a donor lined up and getting stuck in is the best way!

it is never ever going to all make sense til you have the parts in front of you and can see for yourself.

rushing things is not ever the best way and will cost more. if your E30 is your only car, buy a total turd to get around (mine was a Ã‚£50 astra diesel van!!!) and the pressure will be off, this will also make selling spares (to recoup costs) and collecting parts a lot easier.

Post Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:08 am

agent006 wrote: these definitive "how to" threads don't actually exist. I've never been able to find them and it's put my M30 project back a good montho or so as a result.

I for one have become tired of endlessly typing out exactly how i did my conversion, it gets asked probably once every week or two...

The information isn't in a definitive guide because there is no definate way of doing it. it depends how much you want to do yourself, how much you want to spend, which version of the engine, which e30 it's going in...

if you try to research a more in depth conversion, such as the V12 Glenn did, you'll soon realise just how much good info on the 3.5 swap there is here.

Post Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:32 am

gareth wrote:if your E30 is your only car, buy a total turd to get around (mine was a Ã‚£50 astra diesel van!!!)

That should provide the required motivation to get on and finish it!

Post Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:55 pm

damn right!

it'll also feel even quicker when done if you're used to a slow turd rather than say a 325i

Post Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:26 am

agent006 wrote: these definitive "how to" threads don't actually exist. I've never been able to find them and it's put my M30 project back a good montho or so as a result.

There is plenty of information on here to do the conversion... But you have to bring a little to the table... The e30.de site gives you a foundation and then the zone fills in all the gaps. If you get stuck at one point there are more than enough people on here who can help you out of any jam.

If you want to do something different that doesn't come standard then it's always going to be more complicated, cost more, take longer, require more planning, knowledge, money and motivation!

It comes with the territory....