M30B32 Swap

[jonmon6691]

So I may be able to get a M30b32 out of an 83 533i for very cheap. I've done a little searching and I know that it has a few more issues with engine management and stuff like that than the b35 but is it worth it? Are b35's hard to come by/ expensive?

Also, I cant seem to find any information on the 533/b32 like specific stats or when it went away from the better cam and lighter flywheel.

[Zacm829]

How cheap? It may not be worth it considering wiring and management. I scored my B34 with tranny and accessories for $600. B35s can be had for cheap as well.

[Japandrew73]

If you DO end up getting it, the wiring is actually quite simple despite what some say. I made this chart to decipher for you. (This is assuming you have an 84 318i and those odds are slim, but it gives you somewhat of an idea).
You'd cut off the C101 from the M10 and solder the correct wires onto the e28 harness, then it just plugs and plays into your fusebox! :D
The crossed out pins on the e28 are for Check control components and if you have a 1984 318i, you don't have check control so they are unneeded.

[chadthestampede]

...orrr you could just upgrade to m1.3 like I did and use the late model e30 harness or a b35 harness. Assuming you have an e30 with a round c101.

As far as driving an e30 with a b32, it's awesome. It has far more torque than an m20 and revs better than a (stock) b35.

I managed to get my b32 for $200, and the tranny was an extra 100, the oil pan and pump were an extra 200 or so. The 1.3 conversion was another 200. The stuff adds up quick, so keep that in mind. Most people just opt for a b35, but for me the b32 was the only thing available. It all depends on what is around you and in good shape.

The only other person I know of besides myself that ran a b32 was rs4pro3, and he later swapped the head to a b35.

[chadthestampede]

from my old build thread:

By the way, I think the 3.2 is going to make for a great swap! They will make every bit as much power with just a little less torque, but you can have some fun camming it and make it rev to 7,000rpm, and it's very unique!

It's the late 3.3's that have the better cam and light fw:

The late 3.3 is no joke... it comes from the factory with a hot cam and a lightweight flywheel. It may not be the most popular, but you will have just as much enjoyment as everyone else. It is going to feel like the motor that the E30 was supposed to have.

9/81 to 1/84 I believe are the years, I know my 83 633csi motor had the 12lb flywheel on it, and boy did it rev.

[Garageaholic]

Check out my swap writeup. It primarily deals with the newer style m30 engines, but the wiring diagrams are all there for you.

It should be a big help if you're interested. Check out my sig.

[Jean]

The wiring itself isn't so much an issue as the older engine management, plus there is more labor involved to drop an early m30 in vs the later b35 since you'll have to also deal with the oil pan/pump swap etc. Imho I would pass and get a b35.

[jonmon6691]

Given the same cam and flywheel, is it the b35's longer stroke that makes it less "rev happy" than the b32?

[weaksauce]

b35's are cheap
i picked up a whole car for $200 and sold off more parts than i paid for the car, so I have a free 15k mile M30.......

[jonmon6691]

An 80's car with 15k miles for $200? Did you mean 150k miles? I can get the b32 for $100, but I'll check the jy's first. I'm willing to pay up to $500 for a good b35 and trans.

[weaksauce]

An 80's car with 15k miles for $200? Did you mean 150k miles? I can get the b32 for $100, but I'll check the jy's first. I'm willing to pay up to $500 for a good b35 and trans.

nope. it was a 1 owner car that got wrecked. It got a new DOT motor from BMW under warranty and the owner only drove it another 15k miles before it got wrecked.
the whole car was absolutly mint. The exhaust still has the shipping stickers on it from where it was installed.

A very rare find i will admit.