e36 328 into e30???

[E30WES]

Any thoughts on the above? Opportunity has arisen to get my hands on the above motor, but unsure as to whether this is a worthwhile engine swap? Anyone done this before that can give me a few pointers - it would be going into my 91 mtech.

Regards

[dazleeds]

deffo good swap
youll need an m50 325 inlet manifold tho as the 328 is strangled by its own manifold
release some extra ponies

have a look thru the engine swaps forum theres plent of info on e36 engine swaps

think you may need a different sump also but youll find the info in engine swaps

[E30WES]

Thanks chap.

[Barnz]

stick a turbo on it while you're there..... lots of extra ponies! There are some mental conversions that you can see on Youtube.
Good luck and look forward to hearing your progress.

[ric325i]

good engine

i beat a e36 328i a few times in my 325i mostly straight line stuff but still.

his e36 was actually nice ( hard to say about the e36 ) but with that engine in the e30 it should be great fun.

not massive power but great.

does anyone known the factory power figures for the e36 328i?

[doughboy]

193bhp iirc.

mate had a standard 50k one put 203 down on bexley's rollers.

[jmc330i]

Its the torque difference that makes the 328i move compared to a 325i (E36), but fit the 325i inlet etc as Daz said and the 328i engine will be much improved - fitted to an E30 and it will be massively improved

I wont write all the details out as its been covered so many times, but you will need an E34 5 series M50 sump and oil pick up to physically fit the engine into an E30. Have a search through this section for all the info you need

[DanThe]

Most important thing is that you buy a good engine, there are so many shagged out 2.8's lying about on garage floors, I personally wouldnt buy one to use in my car unless I could hear it running before handing over the cash. To risky, disintegrated nikasil, pulled head bolt threads, popped head gaskets, wandering dry liners, to name a few!

Ive seen and stripped that many f*cked M52's I just wouldnt use one anyway!

[doughboy]

wasn't nikasil a major recall??

[DanThe]

No

[Jhonno]

some were done tho

[AndyTouring]

wasn't nikasil a major recall??

Yes it was, but on the quiet. Many were changed until the reason was discovered. Sleeved blocks were then used until they changed to alusil coatings.

Main thing about the M52 was the torque - 206 @3500 iirc.

Finding a shagged M52 is quite rare now or so I'm told. If it is shagged, nick the crankshaft as it will fitt the M20 with a few mods to the crank nose.

[mattG]

I think 2.8's can make 260bhp with inlet & cam work but that Nikasil problem seems to scare a lot of people.
I would go for the M50 2.5 @ 150 quid a lump with plenty about & go FI to gain lots of power.

[DanThe]

some were done tho

A lot had warranty replacement blocks which had steel liners, but they were never recalled afaik

Its not rare to find a shagged M52, I have had 5 in the last 12 months!

Its probably harder to find a car with a shagged engine, but buying one of the floor is a risky business.

[AndyTouring]

Its not rare to find a shagged M52, I have had 5 in the last 12 months!

I hope you're saving those cranks!