Which is going to be the most effective engine conversion, as for cost, time, effect, ease, and end result?
I have a 325 so Turbo, M50 or m30 3.5?
I have a m30 here but not sure if its the way i should go?
Weighing up engine conversions
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gareth
- E30 Zone Team Member
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a M30 is probably the easiest swap and is a lot less involved electrically as any of the others. it's just like a big M20.
the issues with this swap are column clearance (though you're LHD aren't you?) and general tight fitting but it's not that bad.
also cheap and easy to fix if it goes bang
the issues with this swap are column clearance (though you're LHD aren't you?) and general tight fitting but it's not that bad.
also cheap and easy to fix if it goes bang
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dannyboy759
- E30 Zone Camper
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Fair one, for some reason i thought the M50 would be easiest, quicker ect!!
What a 3.5 M30 like in an E30 just torquey or is it actually quite quick and what compared to a 2.5 M50?
What a 3.5 M30 like in an E30 just torquey or is it actually quite quick and what compared to a 2.5 M50?
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fuzzy
- He who sleeps with "Gingers"
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didnt someone post up recently that they were quoted about £5000 for a garage to do a drive in drive out m30 conversion?gareth wrote:a M30 is probably the easiest swap and is a lot less involved electrically as any of the others. it's just like a big M20.
the issues with this swap are column clearance (though you're LHD aren't you?) and general tight fitting but it's not that bad.
also cheap and easy to fix if it goes bang
i did think it was rather expensive.
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fuzzy
- He who sleeps with "Gingers"
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how much cash have you got to spend as that will determine your options but as you already have the m30 then that would probably be the best option. does the m30 respond well to possible future turbo conversion? 
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dannyboy759
- E30 Zone Camper
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5000!!!!! I got my whole car for 200 plus the engine mounts 100, plus what ever an M3 prop is, and a few bits here and there.
But nowhere near 5000, but thats with me doing it obviously most of its labour.
But nowhere near 5000, but thats with me doing it obviously most of its labour.
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gareth
- E30 Zone Team Member
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£5k for a M30 conversion is simply stupid. the best thing about it is probably the fact it's an easy DIY swap and you don't need to be a skilled mechanic to do it. just a bit of time and money, learning as you go.
replacement engines are cheap, low compression is ideal for future FI plans.
£1k is a reasonable generous estimate for the job depending on how thorough you are (replace water pump, seals, guibo, engine mounts rubbers, hoses, clutch etc etc) and if you cut corners (small 325 exhaust for example) . all depending on if you get decent donor car and break that + selling off old bits etc.
for cost and time, it's close between a budget DIY 2.7 stroker and a 3.5 M30. the other options WILL cost more and take longer. i suppose the obvious question is... what's your budget?
replacement engines are cheap, low compression is ideal for future FI plans.
£1k is a reasonable generous estimate for the job depending on how thorough you are (replace water pump, seals, guibo, engine mounts rubbers, hoses, clutch etc etc) and if you cut corners (small 325 exhaust for example) . all depending on if you get decent donor car and break that + selling off old bits etc.
for cost and time, it's close between a budget DIY 2.7 stroker and a 3.5 M30. the other options WILL cost more and take longer. i suppose the obvious question is... what's your budget?
Sole founder of Fe2O3-12V it's a lifestyle
LSD rebuilding / modification services provided, PM for details
LSD rebuilding / modification services provided, PM for details
M52 B28. Light and reasonably quick
Andy
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fuzzy
- He who sleeps with "Gingers"
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i cant remember who posted it up but it was recently. it was someone who was selling an e30 with an alleged £13000 worth of mods and £5G was what he paid for his conversion. i did think that was a tad overpriced as my cossie conversion didnt cost much more than thatgareth wrote:£5k for a M30 conversion is simply stupid. the best thing about it is probably the fact it's an easy DIY swap and you don't need to be a skilled mechanic to do it. just a bit of time and money, learning as you go.
replacement engines are cheap, low compression is ideal for future FI plans.
£1k is a reasonable generous estimate for the job depending on how thorough you are (replace water pump, seals, guibo, engine mounts rubbers, hoses, clutch etc etc) and if you cut corners (small 325 exhaust for example) . all depending on if you get decent donor car and break that + selling off old bits etc.
for cost and time, it's close between a budget DIY 2.7 stroker and a 3.5 M30. the other options WILL cost more and take longer. i suppose the obvious question is... what's your budget?
