Need advice e30 m5x swap

[tacollama13]

if you're gonna stick to an auto the swap is not worth the cost. it will actually cost more than a regular swap. you'll have zero choice but to swap in a matching trans, and then a possible custom driveshaft etc. there really is nothing for info on an engine swap retaining an auto trans that i've seen. you can search the forum, but i don't recall anyone bothering.

rebuilding the original or swapping in a known good m20 are your very best options for the current driving goals you have for the car.

I appreciate the info, in the case that I could find a donor auto 328i with both engine and trans, would you know how difficult the rest would be in regards to the rest of the drivetrain? As much as I want to try to do everything myself I'm not against sending something out for machining or getting something custom fabricated if need be.

[82eye]

a quick look found this : https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...rmation-thread

he doesn't seem all that active here but you may be able to reach out and find more from him. he's very occasionally on bfc some time as well.

[moatilliatta]

TACO Served SPICY.

Keep digging to where you want to be and you'll get there.

[82eye]

lol just noticed the op is already having issues with the one source i found for the info he wants

[Panici]

Well sorry to disappoint but I am serious, I'm not planning on doing this swap for at least 10 months and I'm trying to learn as much as I can

Glad to hear it.

I think the point we're all trying to make is that an engine swap is a HARD job for a home / hobbyist mechanic.
If you're going into this without prior wrenching experience it'll be very easy to get in over your head.

Everyone starts somewhere, and if you're not planning on starting the swap for a while, this is a good time to refresh the other mechanical systems of the car.
This will gain you valuable experience with tools and mechanical systems, and needs to be done anyways on an old car, to have a reliable ownership experience.

[tacollama13]

Glad to hear it.

I think the point we're all trying to make is that an engine swap is a HARD job for a home / hobbyist mechanic.
If you're going into this without prior wrenching experience it'll be very easy to get in over your head.

Everyone starts somewhere, and if you're not planning on starting the swap for a while, this is a good time to refresh the other mechanical systems of the car.
This will gain you valuable experience with tools and mechanical systems, and needs to be done anyways on an old car, to have a reliable ownership experience.

Thanks, I think ill try working on that this winter once I have access to my car. Thankfully I have a few buddies who work at shops who have offered to lend me assistance but none of them have any experience on BMWs let alone e30s so I'm trying to fill that gap with knowledge i can research and get by working hands on with the car.

In my situation with my engine, would you recommend rebuilding or swapping in a new m20? I want to learn as much as I can but if one involves much less cost for the same learning I'll take it.

[Panici]

In my situation with my engine, would you recommend rebuilding or swapping in a new m20? I want to learn as much as I can but if one involves much less cost for the same learning I'll take it.

Swapping in a good used M20 will be the easier option.
Try to get one with proof of compression numbers so you're not in the same boat again.

Then you can put your old engine on a stand, and pull it apart (and possibly rebuild) as a further learning experience.

[hasa]

Swapping in a good used M20 will be the easier option.
Try to get one with proof of compression numbers so you're not in the same boat again.

Then you can put your old engine on a stand, and pull it apart (and possibly rebuild) as a further learning experience.

Follow this.

[tacollama13]

Swapping in a good used M20 will be the easier option.
Try to get one with proof of compression numbers so you're not in the same boat again.

Then you can put your old engine on a stand, and pull it apart (and possibly rebuild) as a further learning experience.

this sounds like a great idea, thanks!

[moatilliatta]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpecE30/permalink/3889261307974874/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

[TobyB]

Also I don't need people telling me im f#$%ed or should just do something completely different, if you're not gonna at least attempt to give me some info or help then just dont reply lmao

oh, honey, you're on R3v, not facefook...

your best bet, if you want to learn, is to start by finding a used M20, and just doing a 1:1 engine change.
If that seems fun and easy (after it's done, of course) THEN maybe start looking for an M54B30.

and to read what people post...


t

[tacollama13]

oh, honey, you're on R3v, not facefook...



and to read what people post...


t

nice man thanks for the input