What route to choose?..

[1st Attempt]

Hey guys, I'd like to say its nice to now be part of the r3vlimited community! I'm a former Benz owner (still a great fan), but I've always loved BMW's also (especially e30's)

So.. I had a '03 C240 that I sold for $6,000 (wanted to get rid of it, rebuilt title :/ ) I then purchased a truck which I have in the shop at the moment and will want to sell it. The truck's retail is about 20k KBB, but average private party is about $17,700. For the time being, i'm kinda planning what route to go on once I sell my truck and get an E30.

I'm trying to stay under a $5-6k budget with my E30.. So, here is what I've found out so far:

1. I found a guy in Dallas that does swaps for E30s. He said he knows where to get a complete S52/ZF for $3000. Fair price? He said his labor will be about $2,500 to do the swap. He also said maybe have some extra money for goodies, such as a clutch, etc..

It all sounds so tempting, but it's going to make me put a bit of money into the E30 (let's say I find a nice shell or something for $500-$1000)


2. I just found out my uncle has a e36 rolled over in the backyard with a M52 in it. He said $500 and it's yours. Thing is.. its automatic and I would really rather have manual, causing me to have to also swap the trans + get a flywheel/fork/pressure plate and other things that are needed :/ I figured this was a good idea because the engine was just $500, but in the end, it might not even be worth it to swap it..? I'm not exactly sure, but i'm really curious of what you guys think.

3. Just buy a 325i E30 with the M20 and just turbocharge that. I asked the guy from Dallas and he said "been there done that" and kinda said it wouldnt really be worth it and then sorta tried to convince me that the S52 was a lot better.

4. Or just buy a e30 already swapped or turbo'd! But they tend to be expensive.. and I don't want hidden problems either or something like that

What do you guys think? What's the best bang for the buck? What's best in the long run? What's your advice?

[bmwcalvin]

Truthfully the cheapest and least time consuming route would be to buy a swapped E30. In the end you have no idea what exactly they have done and how many miles are on the swap. Good like finding one for 5-6k, good swaps tend to be around 7-9k since the cars have a lot more work done than just the motor. If you don't want to do the work yourself this would be the best way to go.

What I would do if I was in your position is find a good roller shell for less than $1000, buy the rolled e36 from your uncle and rebuild the motor. Strip the e36 down and sell everything you can out of it, including the automatic transmission. You could actually make money in the end if you have a bunch of parts left on that car. Then use the money from that to buy your transmission and swap parts. While the M52 is sitting around you could prep it for a turbo. If you are able to do most of the work yourself it would be the best idea. You could end up with a sweet e30 turbo M52 for probably less than $5k...

As far as paying that guy to do a swap, it sounds like he might nickel and dime you and once you're in to it you could end up being way over budget. Just a thought I have no idea who the guy is. If he's trustworthy then it might not be a bad idea...

Just my thoughts, good luck with everything!

[The Humjet]

A turbo m20 IMO would probably be the best bang for buck as your getting a much more fun car in the end with probably the same cost or less as paying that guy to swap the s52 for you. But if you want to do that then be prepared to go through a long project full of headaches and problems.
A more simpler route is go with what bmwcalvin wrote and buy the rolled e36 with the m50 and then buy a 318i or 318is (something with an m42) with a manual transmission and use the tailshaft from the e36 with the g240 that's comes with your e30. Then you can keep the radiator from your e30 and then just shift the brake booster across. And basically you'll the easy part of the project done.
And if you want to get some money back then you can sell the rest of the parts from the e36 just keep the tailshaft and the engine from it

[1st Attempt]

I really wish I could do the swap myself, but I don't exactly have the experience for points where a mount doesn't fit and has to be modified in a way, or hooking up a standalone. You know? I still need to do more research..

The swap guy said he's done many s52 swaps and specializes in most of these e30 swaps (including engine,trannys, turbo kits)

I've always liked the M20/M52 swap/turbo idea. I mean, N/A power would be cool, but I kinda like turbos ;)


And yeah, that was what I was thinking, buying a roller. How much would a rebuild cost for the M52? Could an amateur like me do it?

I think I'll be able to just swap the engines with my uncle, but I don't know about the electrical part.. Maybe we could even follow a DIY for the tranny swap..? :D












So, you guys say:
-Buy the rolled E36
-Sell the auto tranny
-Buy a 318i (Sedan preferably, but is there a major difference besides motors than the 325i?)
-Use the manual transmission(g240) from that 318i and use the tailshaft from the e36


What about brake boosters, what are they and I heard I get them from like a e34 or e28 or something?

Thanks for the input guys!

[The Humjet]

In the past people used to run e21 or porsche 944 turbo boosters with shaft modifications because they were smaller allowing the intake manifold to fit. These days people drill a couple holes in the firewall and slot the stock booster across enough to fit the motor very easy.
As for electrics take out the harness with the engine all together. DON'T cut any wires or hoses you'll need them. So when you drop the engine in all you have to do is plug it up and you'll be good to go. No standalones or tuning is needed if your keeping engine stock. The only cutting and splicing you'll need to do is match up the two body plugs from the e30 c101 to the e36 x20. It's usually a diy thing where you can find all the info on the m50 conversion writeups here or e30tech if your still worried about doing yourself you can get an auto electrician to do it for you or buy an expensive adapter from akg.
There is alot too this you have to read the writeups they're really helpfull I've only covered the basic bits. You'll still need to get an e34 m50 sump and oil pump pickup.
Get your friends to help you it can be a good experience for you guys. And leave the rebuild to a professional with your skills I'd just refresh the motor with new gaskets, belts, chain tensioners, water pump, HD clutch etc.
Also try and go for a 318is because the come with the larger 51mm strut housings.
Good Luck and keep researching :)

[1st Attempt]

In the past people used to run e21 or porsche 944 turbo boosters with shaft modifications because they were smaller allowing the intake manifold to fit. These days people drill a couple holes in the firewall and slot the stock booster across enough to fit the motor very easy.
As for electrics take out the harness with the engine all together. DON'T cut any wires or hoses you'll need them. So when you drop the engine in all you have to do is plug it up and you'll be good to go. No standalones or tuning is needed if your keeping engine stock. The only cutting and splicing you'll need to do is match up the two body plugs from the e30 c101 to the e36 x20. It's usually a diy thing where you can find all the info on the m50 conversion writeups here or e30tech if your still worried about doing yourself you can get an auto electrician to do it for you or buy an expensive adapter from akg.
There is alot too this you have to read the writeups they're really helpfull I've only covered the basic bits. You'll still need to get an e34 m50 sump and oil pump pickup.
Get your friends to help you it can be a good experience for you guys. And leave the rebuild to a professional with your skills I'd just refresh the motor with new gaskets, belts, chain tensioners, water pump, HD clutch etc.
Also try and go for a 318is because the come with the larger 51mm strut housings.
Good Luck and keep researching :)

I just found out the engine has only 70k miles :D I don't think it'll need a rebuild.. right?

I just found out my uncle has an E30 in his backyard, so i'm going to see in a bit what he has.

Won't I need a standalone for the engine still because it's going to be a auto to manual swap..?


Humjet and bmwcalvin, you have no idea how big of help you've so far ;) I really appreciate it:up:

[1st Attempt]

Humjet, doesn't that mean that i'll have to find a '89 or newer 318i for the M42 to be in it?

[bmwcalvin]

While you have the motor out you might as well do some basic stuff to it, water pump, timing belt, tb tensioner gaskets, clutch etc. This will save you from having to do it later and it's a lot easier with the motor out of the car! That's awesome that he already has an e30 as well! Maybe your uncle can help you do the swap?? You could take this time to build the motor if you wanted to turbo it. Just search turbo builds on here and e30tech.com also if you find a machine shop that deals with bmws a lot they can point you in the right direction... As far as the transmission goes it would have to be out of a e30 that has the M42 in it. Not sure if you are that lucky.. Let's see what your uncle has..

[1st Attempt]

While you have the motor out you might as well do some basic stuff to it, water pump, timing belt, tb tensioner gaskets, clutch etc. This will save you from having to do it later and it's a lot easier with the motor out of the car! That's awesome that he already has an e30 as well! Maybe your uncle can help you do the swap?? You could take this time to build the motor if you wanted to turbo it. Just search turbo builds on here and e30tech.com also if you find a machine shop that deals with bmws a lot they can point you in the right direction... As far as the transmission goes it would have to be out of a e30 that has the M42 in it. Not sure if you are that lucky.. Let's see what your uncle has..

Don't I just do the gaskets and I'm set for a turbo? since it has only 70k miles? Same with the basic stuff, would they all need to be done around this mileage?

I got 2 separate uncles in this thread lol
1 with the E30
1 with the E36

The one with the E36 is helping me do the swap and everything else (pull motor out, research, etc..)

I highly doubt it'll be a 318i with the M42 unless.. like you said, I get really lucky

But is it 1989+ 318i's with the M42?

[devon.818]

wow you need to research so much more. you are jumping the gun man, and when you do that, mistakes get made, like you buy something you dont want and realize it later.
you can run standalone if you want, or you can run the e36 computer. wiring adapter adapts e36 engine harness to e30 body harness. and it depends for the turbo, gaskets not enough. BETTER HG, Head bolts, few other things depending on what boost you want to run. but for that just turbo the m20. m20 STOCK will do 10psi.

but real talk man, it sounds like you are reading tid bits here and there and stressing out, then thinking you have it all figured out, then stress again when you learn something new. SLOW THE FUCK DOWN SONNY!

if i were you, i'd buy a clean e30 with suspension mods and good happy horse shit done. pay no more than 2500. turbo the m20. the e30 is light-ish. doesnt take a lot of power to have fun.

if you want a fast car, buy a fast car, not a e30. period. if you want a fun car that will make you smile, then make your e30 have 250whp. you will feel like THE MAN.


hope i helped.

p.s, ride in a car with a motor swap, then a turbo, then a s5x.

[1st Attempt]

wow you need to research so much more. you are jumping the gun man, and when you do that, mistakes get made, like you buy something you dont want and realize it later.
you can run standalone if you want, or you can run the e36 computer. wiring adapter adapts e36 engine harness to e30 body harness. and it depends for the turbo, gaskets not enough. BETTER HG, Head bolts, few other things depending on what boost you want to run. but for that just turbo the m20. m20 STOCK will do 10psi.

but real talk man, it sounds like you are reading tid bits here and there and stressing out, then thinking you have it all figured out, then stress again when you learn something new. SLOW THE FUCK DOWN SONNY!

if i were you, i'd buy a clean e30 with suspension mods and good happy horse shit done. pay no more than 2500. turbo the m20. the e30 is light-ish. doesnt take a lot of power to have fun.

if you want a fast car, buy a fast car, not a e30. period. if you want a fun car that will make you smile, then make your e30 have 250whp. you will feel like THE MAN.


hope i helped.

p.s, ride in a car with a motor swap, then a turbo, then a s5x.

I want a fun car that makes me smile, lmao

So you say to just turbo the M20?


And I know I'm behind research.. I just started, but I gotta start somewhere. right?

[The Humjet]

What sort of condition is the e30 from your uncle like?
Turbo m20's are awsome I want to turbo mine infact. If the car is an m42 manual then I'd consider buying it off your uncle and do the m50 swap. If it is an m20 manual then don't bother with the swap and just turbo it.
If its an auto then screw it and look somewhere else. You already have a project on your hands you don't want to do an auto > manual swap aswell.

But is it 1989+ 318i's with the M42?

Sorry I keep thinking m42 and m40 (motor was never released in US) came out the same time 88+ they weren't your right m42 was released 89+

[1st Attempt]

So...

Find a M20, rebuild, and turbo?

or

Find a M42, swap, and maybe turbo?


I'm trying to narrow to the best option at this point, to kinda have a plan of what i'm going to do and buy.

[Mercury[BKM]]

at 16 i was happy just to have my stock plymouth Laser RS (newish back then)

If you need a rust free roller e30 in Texas that is as mint as youre going to find, I know a guy who has one for 1,000 cash money. Build your own car above buying someone elses swap.. atleast you know whats in it, where the shortcuts are and everything.

then get a mark II jetta TDi to daily drive while you work on the BMW and use it to learn what you're doing on.

[pandaboo911]

3k for an s52/ZF is pricey, unless it's low miles like 40-60k.

I got my s52 with 109k already obd1 swapped by a shop, and tranny for 2300. It even had obd1 ecu and harness.

I would recommend that you do the swap yourself and spend the 2500 on suspension instead. Google 24v DOHC swap wiki, and read all the 24v threads on e30tech and r3v. There's really no fabrication involved, you don't need standalone ignition or injection either. All you need are some proper tools and some soldering skills for the harness.

You even have access to an e36 parts car, that saves you boat loads. You can make profit off the swap if you buy an e30 with a proper m20.