E30 Engine Swap, M60/M52/M50/m30? ALL & ANY HELP APPRECI

[turk]

hi guys, im in the planning stages of a engine swap for my e30. i currently have a basic 316 1.8 carb m10. i know its crap and thats why i want to change it. the casr itself is in brialliant condition, rust wise etc. and thats why i want to use it.

my queries are... which engine is the best choice? i want loads of power and a fairly simple transfer (no such thing :p). What gearbox will i need to match these engines, prop & diff?

i have found a 4.0L 1990 540 engine, but is an auto. engine is tip top condition, will a manual fit on the engine? what changes will i need to make? will ecu and wiring loom continue to work on a manual?

i also have my eye on an 535i manual... which would be a better choice. i am not a very confident mechanic but enjoy getting my hands dirty. time wise i am limited though. if anyone here has done this b4 are are willing to do it again. please let me know. im willing to pay for the work done. i also have no garage, so otherwise i will have to give it into a garage...

thanx everyone.. like i say any and alll help appreciated.......

....Turk....

[Jimbob]

Hi Turk, did you message me on ebay about an engine conversion?

[turk]

yeh thats me u reffered me... thanx alot

[bigdek]

i have done both m8

Go for the 535 as its fairly straight forward and there are now quite a few zoners with this conversion who can help.

The 540 V8 engine is much more involved and expensive.

[turk]

thanx alot m8... do u know of any mechanics down south who might be interested in doin this conversion? so far most have said they wouldnt even attempt it. so im beginning to worry... how many hours do u reckon it might take? also do u know about putting good brakes on all 4, as the back ones are drums atm... thanx

[bigdek]

If you have all the parts at hand you can do the m30 swap in a weekend .

[turk]

HEY PEEPS... i just bought an awsome 1990 535i manual...AND for 250 quid... 160000 miles but goes like shit off a shovel, on the way down from richmond to portsmouth i hit 140 with ease... cant wait to get the engine in my car! Bigdek, what parts will i need to buy, have made etc b4 i even attempt the swap? btw its has an on board computer too and id really like that in my e30... love the gadgets! ive been told that i will only need new engine mounts and a shorter prop... does anyone know where to get these? and if i will actually need anything else? thanx alot guyz

[jjthesavage]

Sorry but this yank has a stupid question; is a prop the same as a driveshaft?

[Brianmoooore]

I've notice you Yanks get a little confused! Prop(eller) shaft is the one that goes from the gearbox to the diff.
Drive shafts are the ones that go from the diff to the rear hubs.

[HairyScreech]

although do the americans not call the prop the drive shaft and the drive shafts half shafts?

[jjthesavage]

I've notice you Yanks get a little confused! Prop(eller) shaft is the one that goes from the gearbox to the diff.
Drive shafts are the ones that go from the diff to the rear hubs.

Thanks, I think I've know them as drive shaft and drive axles.

To Add:
I like the m60 swap, don't know if its true but I heard the e34 530i 5-speed trans with the m60 weighs 60Lbs (27KG I had to get out the converter for that one ) more but the block is shorter so it sets farther back than the M50/M52. The funny thing; even if its unbalanced you could weighed down the back with sand bags and an unmodified m60 e30 would still eat up a stock m50/m52 e30. There is no replacement for displacement!!! The exhaust and brakes look especially difficult in the conversion though. Good Luck!!!

[beefy]

Hi i can supply you the mounts for the m30. Give me a pm for more details cheers.

[Sawyer_E30]

Hi Gents, to give this thread a bit of a jumpstart. I will recap what I have got.

1985 1.8 M10 (carb) same as the above.

I want to put in my newly purchased M60b30 engine, and what to attach a manual gearbox. Apart from the obvious such as, pedal box, shortened drive shaft, and clutch bits, what else will I require?

Thanks

[Theo]

Custom exhaust manifolds, alot of fiddling with the brakes ditching the servo, engine mounts, lots of fiddling with the loom, a radiator, an electric fan, an exhaust system, suitable differential, upgrading the front and rear and rear suspension etc etc

I can't see the point in all that work for the sake of a B30 whihc has little to offer over the much easier m30b35 conversion. For the m60b40 - yeah, go for it, its a heroic conversion. But I could never warrant the work or expense for the b30.

[oze30]

ah, but theo.. you havent been for a spin in it yet!! Oh.. the torque figure would be done to the exhaust manifolds flowing poorly on the rear 2 cylinders!. But still goes like Sh!t off a shovel!

[Theo]

Colin, I think you've misread my post. I'm all for the b40 transplant, the sound and torque is worth it alone. But in the case of the three litre engine (which is what Sawyer has), I just can't see the point.

[oze30]

He's talking about an M60B30 5 speed box.. not engine.

[Jhonno]

no he's deffo talking bout the engine Oze

[Theo]

He's talking about an M60B30 5 speed box.. not engine.

I want to put in my newly purchased M60b30 engine, and what to attach a manual gearbox. Apart from the obvious such as, pedal box, shortened drive shaft, and clutch bits, what else will I require?

Thanks

[oze30]

He's talking about an M60B30 5 speed box.. not engine.

[Theo]

[bigdek]

He's talking about an M60B30 5 speed box.. not engine.

I want to put in my newly purchased M60b30 engine

[Sawyer_E30]

Didn't mean to cause confusion with my 1st ever post, but thats how it goes I guess.

To re-recap.

I HAVE an m60b30 engine, because I want the V8 engine!

3 litres gives me 218 horses and will make me smile even more so when compared to my current 90hp autobox m10'er. Which still makes me smile, when it kicks down.

Basically, will a 535i 5 speed box fit... or what other box do I need?

[Sawyer_E30]

Custom exhaust manifolds, alot of fiddling with the brakes ditching the servo, engine mounts, lots of fiddling with the loom, a radiator, an electric fan, an exhaust system, suitable differential, upgrading the front and rear and rear suspension etc etc

I can't see the point in all that work for the sake of a B30 whihc has little to offer over the much easier m30b35 conversion. For the m60b40 - yeah, go for it, its a heroic conversion. But I could never warrant the work or expense for the b30.

Suspension has been uprated.

Engine loom came with engine, but yes it'll take some work to intergrate it with the existing equip.

[Sawyer_E30]

Custom exhaust manifolds, alot of fiddling with the brakes ditching the servo, engine mounts, lots of fiddling with the loom, a radiator, an electric fan, an exhaust system, suitable differential, upgrading the front and rear and rear suspension etc etc

I can't see the point in all that work for the sake of a B30 whihc has little to offer over the much easier m30b35 conversion. For the m60b40 - yeah, go for it, its a heroic conversion. But I could never warrant the work or expense for the b30.

Suspension has been uprated.

Engine loom came with engine, but yes it'll take some work to intergrate it with the existing equip.

Quite sad replying to my own post, but...

Also brakes are from the 325i, I reckon they'll do.

[Theo]

Ok for plodding round on the road, wouldn't fancy it on track though!

[Sawyer_E30]

218hp is plodding? Fair enough, but still better than 90hp (when new).

I don't track race because of the dreaded 'B' word, so this will be my street car instead.

[safejimmy]

ive just bought a m52 325i engine to go in my e30. it is complete with loom, bottom arms, steering rack, disks, calipers and pads. i know you have to change the brake servo and splice together the two u.j's but if you find anything else out please let me know.

[Brianmoooore]

ive just bought a m52 325i engine to go in my e30. it is complete with loom, bottom arms, steering rack, disks, calipers and pads. i know you have to change the brake servo and splice together the two u.j's but if you find anything else out please let me know.

Read the thread! My M50 conversion uses the standard brake servo, and an off the shelf' BMW propshaft, with no splicing.
There's no one correct way to do these conversions!

[Sawyer_E30]

Another quickie; The wiring loom that also came with the engine, has two ports available for an ECU. Am I right to presume that one is for the brain, and the other is for ABS. If so, do I need the ABD connected:?:

[oze30]

I stand corrected.. I was talking about Turk's conversion.

Sawyer, The M60B30 produces roughly the same BHP as an M30 (which will be a damn sighteasier and cheaper in the long run. If you want the noise, then sell your B30 and get a B40. These can be had for decent money if you know where to look. I'm looking for a repcalement engine for mine.. either a B46 or B48 . I reckon the B30 will like the M20B20, less preformance than the bigger engine, but fuel consumption of the smaller, shite-ier engine.

Good luck with the exhaust. Bigdek.. Kudos to you!! ;)

The 2 ecu ports are engine brain and auto box.

Whats the ABD?

[Karan]

530 v8s arent that quick to be honest, i wouldnt waste my time

[agreen]

what about the m52 thats nice little lump ally block and alright power

from a e36 328 i think what are they like ?>

[Karan]

very very good.... 14sec 1/4s like ste's does

[agreen]

very very good.... 14sec 1/4s like ste's does

the m52 is that in any 328 or just the sport

whats the power 190 ish ?