What to grab from the junkyard?

[nino]

Well Ill admit Im still in the early stages of researching the swap, but I was at the yard today and found out everything is 50% off so I want to pick up some stuff tomorrow. There are tons of e28s, e32s, some e34s, e23s, and e24s. Also Ive never attempted something like a swap so my questions will be newbish:( . I basically have a lot to choose from and want to pick and choose the ideal setup.

Engine:
From what I understand I want a m30b35 rather than the m30b34. All the m30b35s are mated to auto trannys. If i grab one of the m30b35s, what do I want with it? ECU? Do I match the ECU to the engine or tranny? Do I want a ECU from a manual car?

Is there a way to check the condition of the engine at the yard? Compression?(ive never done it myself) Should I pull the plugs and look at them? I wrote down VIN numbers today and ran carfaxes and the mileages range from 120k to 350k!

Tranny:
Do I want a 260/6 or 265. I saw at least one 265 in a e24, and a couple 260/6s in e28 535s ( I think they are 260/6 they have longitudinal fins on the bottom).

Flywheel:
Dont know here.

Radiator:
e28? other options?

Anything else I need?

Also whats the easiest way to pull an engine and tranny? Never done that. Is there a writeup? On what part of the engine do I lift from? What do I disconnect from the engine/ what stays with the shell or comes with the engine? Sorry, some suspension and pulling diffs is as complicated as Ive done so far. Also, wiring makes me dizzy.
Thanks guys. Ill learn quick.

[Lurker27]

ECU shouldn't matter, some rewiring required as per any auto to manual swap

265 is stronger, but 260/6 is a more direct drop in.

flywheel you want a e28 early 533 unit, 17 lbs.

e28 radiator.

get e34 or e32 downpipes.

[flawdaboi407]

m30b35 with harness and ecu from that car, doesnt matter if its auto or manual. g260 or g265 tranny with flywheel/clutch assembly. Could even use a m10 tranny but is not recommended.. although im using it. e28 535i radiator, e34/e32 downpipes, custom mounts, mix match drive shafts or get urs shortend.

To remove the engine/tranny disconnect everything thats keeping it from coming out!!! Pull the engine and tranny together its easier. Try to keep the harness attached that way you can label it when you do remove it.

[yert315]

Engine:
From what I understand I want a m30b35 rather than the m30b34. All the m30b35s are mated to auto trannys. If i grab one of the m30b35s, what do I want with it? ECU? Do I match the ECU to the engine or tranny? Do I want a ECU from a manual car?

An m30b35 is ideal, however a b34 will work just as well. If you go with the later option, some modifications will need to be done to make it work (i.e. crank wheel, 1.3 motronic conversion, etc).

Is there a way to check the condition of the engine at the yard? Compression?(ive never done it myself) Should I pull the plugs and look at them? I wrote down VIN numbers today and ran carfaxes and the mileages range from 120k to 350k!

Pop the valve cover off and make sure nothing looks too bad in there - no gunk, broken rockers, all that good stuff. Pull the oil dipstick to see if there i any milky oil residue. I assume the yard drains all fluids so only residue will be present. A whitish hue to the oil screams head gasket blown. Pull the plugs and check for oil, which is a sign for worn piston rings.

Tranny:
Do I want a 260/6 or 265. I saw at least one 265 in a e24, and a couple 260/6s in e28 535s ( I think they are 260/6 they have longitudinal fins on the bottom).

Either will work. I am using a 260/6 with funkmasta's mounts, rear e30 drive shaft and front e28 shaft. A buddy of min is using the same setup, but with the g265.

Flywheel:
Dont know here.

any flywheel from an m30 powered car will work. The ideal setup is the one stated above.

Radiator:
e28? other options?

e28 will give the best clearance from the engine. And it is made to cool that engine, so why not?

Anything else I need?

Also whats the easiest way to pull an engine and tranny? Never done that. Is there a writeup? On what part of the engine do I lift from? What do I disconnect from the engine/ what stays with the shell or comes with the engine? Sorry, some suspension and pulling diffs is as complicated as Ive done so far. Also, wiring makes me dizzy.
Thanks guys. Ill learn quick.

Easiest to get an engine out, in my opinion, is by dropping it out the bottom. Remove the subframe bolts and anything else attaching it to the frame - you'll see when you get under there. If you get a b35, take the wiring harness from it as long as it's not already cut. Just remove all wiring connecting it to the chassis harness. Remove the a/c and clutch lines. Remove coolant hoses (keep them for use with your swap).

Get the b34 headers and down pipes. They have a slightly smaller diameter, but are much easier to build a turbo adapter from, if you choose to go that route. If you don't go turbo, I would still opt for the b34 headers. If you get them from an e24, the downpipes reduce into a single 2 1/4 collector which is perfect for fabbing a single pipe exhaust straight back. They have a slightly less inner diameter, but will be easier to install.

Hope that helps!

[Jean]

B35 engine (if the car is automatic check that you don't get an EML throttle body, it was used in the e32 and maybe e34 cars for traction control). Get it with the manifold/tb/AFM/ignition coil everything. If you pull it from a e32/e34 it will have the right oilpan. get the exhaust manifolds too. 179 ecu, and manual harness if you find it. some people use e30 harness, but the e32/e34 harness looks cleaner imho.

EML tb


manual 260/6 5speed (should have fins on the bottom of the case)


e28 radiator as mentioned.

early 325 driveshaft with big guibo to match the output shaft of the m30 g260.

[chadthestampede]

manual 260/6 5speed (should have fins on the bottom of the case)

If you see a waffle on the bottom it's a 260/5, if you see a churro it's a 260/6!

They told me that on mye28 and I'll probably never forget it.

[De //m3]

You can't use a 528 radiator, so NOT just an E28 radiator, but a non-528 Radiator.

The 528 had the small six and the radiator is not the same.

[learningcurve86]

i think they have everything covered so i'll just add this little bit: m30b35: amazingly fun. not scarry fast, but so fun. (i just did my swap a few weeks ago and its a whole different car).

have fun!!