M30 swap

[CorvallisBMW]

My understanding is that you only have to remove a small square section right behind the head for clearance. The rest you can all leave in place.

edit: good call on making the manifold support fit. I just left it out, but not I'm thinking maybe I should slot it and out it in.

[1987E30project]

Pulled the engine out

Progress has been slow because I'm moving to another house.

I got the engine out even though I made some rookie mistakes. I got the engine hoist to its maximum lift but the engine wouldn't clear the front of the car. Until I remembered to lower the car from the jackstands. :roll:

[1987E30project]

Disaster

I was about to bolt the transmission to the engine when I noticed some tranny fluid in the bellhousing. Unbolted the input flange and there is a crack
There is a little round washer that sits in a recess but it moved when bolting the flange to the tranny housing. This is going to cost a few hundred bills and a week at least.

[weaksauce]

looks like it's been patched before.

edit, nevermind, just noticed you pulled it before.

[1987E30project]

June 3rd 2010

It has been awhile since my last post but you will see why.

Last update had me discovering a leak in the transmission and it turned out to be the tranny input shaft cover. I ordered a replacement from Blunt but the part had to come all the way from the motherland because BMW did not have any in the states. So as carefully as possible I installed it. In goes the tranny, it gets bolted to the engine. :)
Engine looks good, tranny looks good.


But wait...What is this??:crazy: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!


In the meantime the company I worked for decided to shut down the plant. So I decided to go back to Cali. My whole family lives there. My E30 is always ready for a road trip no matter how.


Finally in Cali I have time to rent a tranny jack, pull the tranny, install the TB and clutch arm. The worst part was getting the subframe to align so the bolts would go in. I hope the worst is over and there will be more frequent updates showing progress.

[CorvallisBMW]

Good to hear! do work!

[castros]

Nice swap man, put a miller MAF kit man worth every penny. If you want more info hit me up.

[1987E30project]

Nice swap man, put a miller MAF kit man worth every penny. If you want more info hit me up.

I will be doing that but first I want to get it running perfectly.

[castros]

nice plan, good luck.

[bataangpinoy]

updates?

[1987E30project]

June 11th update

Swap is moving forward. Installed a new clutch slave cylinder.


And a short shifter with all new bushings. It feels really nice. Not notchy at all.


I'm also finishing the lines to the steering rack and reservoir. I was able to get a 95 M3 rack so there is going to be some modifications to be made to the lines.

[JoeMadoo]

Very clean, i like it

[dnova89]

Aw man, should've got the z3 rack! Oh well, I was fooled into thinking the '95 m3 was the best option too and it's currently installed on my car haha.

Anyway good work keep it up!

[LowR3V'in]

Will that mount give you enough room for the downpipe?
Looks really close in that picture.

[1987E30project]

Will that mount give you enough room for the downpipe?
Looks really close in that picture.

The front down pipe has enough space but the one in the rear is very close to the firewall. Worse case I will have to use the BFH and create some space.