335i - now driving well!

[Theo]

Having finally bought a clean e30 to use as a donor shell a couple of weeks ago, I got the ball rolling with the m30 swap today. I removed the engine/box/prop and have a couple of days ahead where I can do some of the fiddly bits, hopefully.



Just wondered if anyone else has put an m30 in a 318is? Are there any electrical joys I should be expecting?

Car needs to be trackworthy by May, as it's going to the 'Ring on the 19th!

[Jon_Bmw]

I spy a rear cage

[Theo]

Yeah, it's going to be a track car - that's the rear part of a 6 point SD cage. Got loads of morsels to put on it - so sods law dictates that I will probably bin it fairly swifly!

[DRIFTBOY]

Glad to see it coming together at last Theo!

Keep us updated with pics pleeease!

Good luck dude!

[glenn]

another project started.
well done theo.
keep us updated with plenty of pics

[Theo]

Thanks guys, first time i've done an engine swap, so it should be interesting (a bodge)

[Andy335Touring]

another project started.
well done theo.
keep us updated with plenty of pics

Ditto and good luck

[DRIFTBOY]

Thanks guys, first time i've done an engine swap, so it should be interesting (a bodge)

No reason it should be a bodge!

As far as engine conversions go it's not very complicated.

If you need an extra pair of hands at any time (it is a heavy engine - I struggled on a steep driveway on my own!) let me know and I'll come over if I can. I assume you're car is in Kent ?

Martin.

[Theo]

That's really kind of you mate, expect a phone call in the not too distant future! The car is in Kent by the way.

Once the i've finalised the rad placement and fan wiring then it will be ready for the engine. I was thinking of dropping engine and box in from above, but read a couple of threads suggesting to do it from underneath. What method did you use?

[bigdek]

easy from above. engine and box in one go

[DRIFTBOY]

No probs!

I dropped the engine in without the gearbox, clutch and flywheel.
My next door neighbour has an engine hoist which I borrowed.
I think this must be the easiest way to do it on your own as the gearbox isn't that heavy to fit.

Some people do it with the box on (as above) but I did it without the box partly so I knew how the job of taking the gearbox off in the future would be. And it looked like a bit of a handful by myself.

I've heard of people (I think Gareth is one) who put in engine and box from below without major drama.

As I've only done it one way I can't comment on other methods but I'm sure they are just as good.

I suppose it comes down to what tools you have available / extra pairs of hands.

Martin.

[Theo]

Ok, I'd prefer to do it as one from above, so will give that way a try I think. Hopefully will have it in the next weekend or two..or three....

[Milko]

Leave box on, but remove gear linkage/stick etc as it gets in the way....

Goes in fairly easy TBH I didnt even have mine jacked up...

Good luck with it.

[gareth]

i did indeed fit mine from below, as did toby.

if you need a hand with anything, let me know and i'll see if i can help. between 3 of us, it should be a doddle!

it's a shame that the M30 exhaust isn't as nice as the 318is one

[Theo]

Cheers Gareth, having never fitted an engine from below I'm leaning towards the 'as one, from above' approach. The only things I need to get before fitting are the engine mount rubbers and throttle cable. But before doing that I want to trial fit the rad and have the fan brackets sorted out.

When are you up for a session on it then?

[gareth]

i'm busy this weekend (preparing the corrado for sale!!!!!) but maybe the weekend after? depends on how the mot on my new beast of a rover 414 scoolrunwagon goes!

[Theo]

The weekend after would be great, should hopefully have the fan and rad sorted by then.

Couple of q's to anyone reading this...

- Can the 318is engine rubbers be uses? they are very similar to the m20 ones by the looks of it..
- Would it be best to fit engine/box, then prop and finally diff, or have the diff in place and negotiate the prop in once the engne/box and diff are all in place?

BTW - Rover 414 - that's so, so wrong!

[DRIFTBOY]

I might be able to keep at least one day weekend after next free, we could have an E30 335i building party!

[Theo]

Sounds good to me! I will provide some munch and beverages as these are vital when tinkering with old turds.

I'm there all weekend so whenever is best for you guys suits me fine.

[DRIFTBOY]

Sundays are best for me, but I could do a saturday.

Do you want me to pick you up a black sun-strip before then Theo ?

Martin.

[Theo]

Ohhh, yeah, that would be good if you could - had forgotten about that!

Sunday is good for me, I will haul the car out of the muddy patch I have to work on, out onto the tarmac drive. Still outdoors though im afraid.

[DRIFTBOY]

Ohhh, yeah, that would be good if you could - had forgotten about that!

Sunday is good for me, I will haul the car out of the muddy patch I have to work on, out onto the tarmac drive. Still outdoors though im afraid.

No probs. And no probs!

Just to clarify - sunday 18th we're gonna convert to big six correctness! ?

Theo - could you pm me with your postcode and gaff number so I can Routefinder it ? Thanks.

Martin.

[Theo]

Martin, I've pm'd you.

Do you rekon I should have the correct diff in place already, or easier to fit the diff once the box is inplace and the prop is attached to the box and centre mount?

[DRIFTBOY]

Pm recieved, thanks!

Diff is just as easy to sort out later, I'd get the engine and gearbox in first. There should be time in one day to get both done anyway!

Martin.

[Theo]

I was thinking the same, getting the prop in with the box and diff in place would probably be more fiddly.

Looking forward to getting the engine in!

[DRIFTBOY]

getting the prop in with the box and diff in place would probably be more fiddly.

Looking forward to getting the engine in!

That still isn't a problem, if you've got a prop the correct length.?
Are you using an E30 M3 prop ?

Oh, and from a few posts back, throttle cable can be fitted after the engine is in so that's not an issue either.

Yeah, getting the engine in is one of the most satisfying parts of the job!

I chose to put mine in without the gearbox and fit that afterwards (it's not a big or heavy gearbox) but I've read of many people fitting with box on so it can't be a bad way I presume.

Which engine position / mounting brackets are you using?


Martin.

[Theo]

Right spec list time!

Custom mounts, p3 i think, with the engine shifted over a tad to the n/s
Mk 1 golf gti servo (already on)
M3 propshaft
E24 rad with e34 top hose & e28 bottom hose
Electric fan from E32 with aircon - takes 11 amps!
M20 exhaust system with molested downpipes (temporary, currently sorting out the m3 system)
3.64 lsd
H&R springs and hopefully the roll bars as well (need to give Sal a shout)
Bilstien shocks
Safety devices 6 point roll cage
M3 rear calipers with Z1 280mm discs
Wilwood or WMS front 4 pots (still need to buy, still no sure which to go for!)

Should keep us busy!

[DRIFTBOY]

Sounds good Theo!

A days work I reckon!
I suppose, like me, you don't have air tools ?

Maybe two days!

With position 3 you might need to get rid of the soundproofing on the engine side of the bulkhead to ever get the gearbox off if need be.

Although if this is a track car, it should already be landfill!

Martin.

[Theo]

Soundproofing? Removed all that crap today, had the heatgun out for hours doing the interior! Stuff on the engine side of the bulkhead is also long gone!

I dont have air tools.... but I have borrowed a brutal mains buzz gun from ant today, he might lend it out again if I ask very very nicely!

Just thinking about it...to save time I could fit the diff, prop and rear suspension before hand, and then connect the prop to the box as its being lowered in?

[DRIFTBOY]

Diff and suspension is good, but personally I'd leave the prop until last, it will be easier as they adjust for length.

Martin.

[Theo]

Thought I would put a few pics up of the car in it's current state....
Need to get a few things before building up the rear end again - stainless brake hoses and the H&R roll bars - probably going to need new subframe bushes as well as I need to drop the rear beam to do the two tricky brake hoses.

[oguz327]

That shell looks wicked Theo and the engine bay looks mint.

Good work on removing the soundproofing, did you weight it all in the end?
Just that bit in the rear quarter now

[Ant]

I have borrowed a brutal mains buzz gun

Muhhaahhahahaha , that is a weapon Theo, put up many many steel framed buildings with that puppy, as I said though, it will snap M16 bolts with ease given enough Ampage

[Theo]

It's a nice bit of kit, was using it a bit this afternoon, I need to get me some impact sockets though, and another set of spring compressors, my Draper ones are complete toilet - the thread fouls on the cup on the strut and makes it impossible to rebuild the front suspension legs. Great.

[dips346]

looking good mate
now hurry up with it