My track project car is progressing well and should be ready to go to it's new home in Germany at Easter. Thats the theory anyway.
The guy who is building the car for me has just obtained for nothing a rear end damaged E36 325i. This would have the 24V engine producing 192bhp yes?
He leads me to believe that this would be quite an easy conversion for him.
What would your comments be? What characteristics would this engine give over the current E30 325 lump?
Would you want it done?
Cheers
Gary
E30 325i to E36 325i
Moderator: martauto
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oakey
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"eko" on this site has a 24v 2.5 conversion so im sure hell be able to help you out. youll probly get better mpg, and it will obviously be a faster car. possibly smoother power delivery.i personally went for the 2.7 conversion on mine which gives slightly more hp and a bundle load more torque. but cost more money.
i dont know of any reasons why you wouldnt want it done to be honest
i dont know of any reasons why you wouldnt want it done to be honest
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northloop
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Thanks for the comment, I have sent him a pm regarding it.
Anyone else done it, or have any comments?
Is the lump heavier or lighter than the old one?
Anyone else done it, or have any comments?
Is the lump heavier or lighter than the old one?
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jmc330i
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Ive driven one 24v E30 and yes, I would go for it. Smoother than the M20 and definitely quicker than my 325i.
IIRC the E36 325i actually has worse fuel consumption than the E30 325i, but the E30 should be lighter - if its a track car, MPG shouldnt be too much of an issue though.
The E36 does have the 192bhp 24v M50 lump, so thats good. But, you will need the sump and oil pick up from the E34 5 series M50 engine to fit it to the E30.
Some wiring at the big round plug up by the fusebox, a smaller brake servo and a modded exhaust manifold will get the engine in and running. Keep the E36 gearbox and you will need a diff change because of the ratio of the E36 box - you need around 3.25:1. You can keep the E30 gearbox, but the box is rotated which means gear linkage problems and a custom gearbox mount.
IIRC the E36 325i actually has worse fuel consumption than the E30 325i, but the E30 should be lighter - if its a track car, MPG shouldnt be too much of an issue though.
The E36 does have the 192bhp 24v M50 lump, so thats good. But, you will need the sump and oil pick up from the E34 5 series M50 engine to fit it to the E30.
Some wiring at the big round plug up by the fusebox, a smaller brake servo and a modded exhaust manifold will get the engine in and running. Keep the E36 gearbox and you will need a diff change because of the ratio of the E36 box - you need around 3.25:1. You can keep the E30 gearbox, but the box is rotated which means gear linkage problems and a custom gearbox mount.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
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snoops
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definitly go for it mate the m50 has 24v and the m20 has 12v,even the the m20 is a great engine i know which one id have
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eko
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If using the E36 engine you will need the sump from an E34 as said above!
Definately reccommend this conversion.
Fuel economy on mine is actually pretty good(if driven carefully)but can be a bit thirsty when giving it some stick.
Never done a proper MPG test but on average i get between 50-65 miles out of a £tenner petrol which i can live with!
Lot smoother and quieter than M20 2.5 too but still makes a great noise when revved.
Yuoll need the brake servo from a MK2 Golf to enable the inlet to clear,other options are available but plenty of Golfs in the scrappies so easily available!
E36 M50 engine mounting arms are needed,i used E28 engine mount rubbers but these are not essential.
If using the M50 gearbox you will have to play about with propshafts,i used E36 328i prop with an modified E30 centre bearing.
Diff ratio will be way out if you use that gearbox so a new diff will have to be sourced.Ive used a 3.46 open diff which seems to do the job well although the ideal diff would be an E30 M3 LSD with a 3.25 ratio!
Exhaust manifolds from an S50 will be needed.These have to be modified slightly to clear the steering coupling but is easy enought to do.
Wiring to the C101 plug will need doing but is easy enought,this differs from early and later models of E30 but both involve the same amount of work.
If your using the E36 engine loom then the ECU can stay in the original space under the dash,but if you use the E34 loom(as ive done) then the wires to the ECU will need extending or just relocate the ECU to the battery tray as ive done!
Thats all i can think of right now but if i can be any more help just ask
BrianMoore has also done this conversion too so he maybe able to offer more advice/tips!
Definately reccommend this conversion.
Fuel economy on mine is actually pretty good(if driven carefully)but can be a bit thirsty when giving it some stick.
Never done a proper MPG test but on average i get between 50-65 miles out of a £tenner petrol which i can live with!
Lot smoother and quieter than M20 2.5 too but still makes a great noise when revved.
Yuoll need the brake servo from a MK2 Golf to enable the inlet to clear,other options are available but plenty of Golfs in the scrappies so easily available!
E36 M50 engine mounting arms are needed,i used E28 engine mount rubbers but these are not essential.
If using the M50 gearbox you will have to play about with propshafts,i used E36 328i prop with an modified E30 centre bearing.
Diff ratio will be way out if you use that gearbox so a new diff will have to be sourced.Ive used a 3.46 open diff which seems to do the job well although the ideal diff would be an E30 M3 LSD with a 3.25 ratio!
Exhaust manifolds from an S50 will be needed.These have to be modified slightly to clear the steering coupling but is easy enought to do.
Wiring to the C101 plug will need doing but is easy enought,this differs from early and later models of E30 but both involve the same amount of work.
If your using the E36 engine loom then the ECU can stay in the original space under the dash,but if you use the E34 loom(as ive done) then the wires to the ECU will need extending or just relocate the ECU to the battery tray as ive done!
Thats all i can think of right now but if i can be any more help just ask
BrianMoore has also done this conversion too so he maybe able to offer more advice/tips!
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DanThe
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Whats your location mate? Maybe there is a Zoner with an M50'd E30 near enough for you to have a closer look 
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northloop
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Andover in Hampshire but the guy who is building the car for me is Billinghurst in West Sussex.
Thanks for the reply eko I will pass the info on.
Gary
Thanks for the reply eko I will pass the info on.
Gary
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eko
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Thats ok mate!northloop wrote:Andover in Hampshire but the guy who is building the car for me is Billinghurst in West Sussex.
Thanks for the reply eko I will pass the info on.
Gary
Forgot to say that Dan(Danthe) has also done this conversion and he offered me loads of good advice and tips when i was doing mine so if you ask me anything that i cant answer then there are plenty others that im sure will help.