Hope you guys can help!

[Gravy]

Hi guys,

Haven't posted in a while, but to cut a long story short it looks like my current project may have to come to halt.

As you may or may not be aware, I wanted to do an M60 conversion.
As it stands, the engine still isn't in the car yet due to one thing and another.
One major factor that has affected that though, has been a serious lack of time.

Anyway, I may be in situation where I have to start using the toruing as an everyday car in the next 2-3 months.
I love it and I don't want to get rid of it but I despise it's puny M40.

My question is, as asked many a time and usually opens a huge debate, is what would you reccomend I do with regard to a swap.

I don't want to buy a car that has already been done, my shell is in really good nick and i "know" the car.
It needs to be relatively straight forward from a time point of view, i am reasonably handy with the spanners!
Budget is the next most important factor (maybe £1500 +/- a bit!)

I'm looking for a good balance between performance, drivability and economy.

My thoughts are:

M42, something cool about an M42 touring, easy swap, probably enough pace for now and economical.

M50/M52, it seems these is simple enough until you tackle the exhuast manifold which may lead to great expense.

M30, I love this motor, and bought the touring in the first place with this engine in mind, but the economy sounds painful.

or

Continue with the M60, write off the next 6 weekends at least and really attack the M60 installation, but I reckon it would cost a lot as I haven't yet sourced a g/box, and the exhaust is probably a frightening wallet propostion unless I bodge something together. It is a reasonably economical for such a torquey motor though.

This is doing my nut in because I want to do something, and do it soon otherwise my time will run out and I'll have to sell and get a shopping car, or make do with the M40 (nooooooooooooooooooooooo!)

Informed responses welcome, please!

All the best, rob

[e30_Turbo]

Stick with it, dreams don't often come true, I should know having waited 14 months now to have a my project back on the road. Blood, sweat and tears, many tears, many burns too but overall the car I dreamed of, a fecking fast e30

I've never swapped a different engine into another car so I'm no help there but you could always go turbo? ( Sorry I can't help myself anymore, I'm addicted )

Good luck whichever way you go, just keep your e30

HTH, Mark.

[Gravy]

Cheers mate, nice words

[Yaninnya]

+1
I think that you shoud collect all parts slowly and with all parts -just do it. When you will be well prepared it can be done quite fast and without problems. The key is really good preparation before.
Jan

[drifty325i]

Go the v8 mate you wont regret it at all! and you will regret not doing it if you opt for one of the other conversions you mentioned. They just dont have the power of the v8, or the sound!!!

[Gravy]

Bug**r! I thought you may all say continue the V8 route!!

[march109]

I vote for finish V8 you won't regret it, but if for whatever reason you can't the M42 swap would give you plenty of drivability and take up less of your time, but its no V8!