MtecII S38 swap

[Sharino]

So I purchased this project of a friend that never had the time to complete it. I have owned many E30s before and performed various swaps but this one is new to me so any advice is appreciated.

I have a 89 320i (Japanese imported) MtecII with a blown head-gasket, as well as a 89 M5. I also have another E34 M5 summer car so I am familiar with the S38 already.

If anybody has done this swap, I am interested in knowing what diff ratio you ran? I also got the mounts from 300mm.de. I plan to push the engine as close to the firewall as possible. Does anybody have any pictures on where you have to bang in the firewall? I will be pulling the M20 out of the E30 this weekend and want to get the engine bay prepared. I will update with more pics once I start, hope you enjoy!

[BDK]

e30.de has pics of past M335/m338 conversions....

going to be tight....

but keep the pics coming...

[Adrian_Visser]

Awesome swap engine. Someday, someday I will do this.

[CorvallisBMW]

subscribed for ensuing awesomeness

[lifeiskaos]

that's striker's old car right? I love that car!!!

[Sharino]

Not sure who striker is, The car is from 'thectrlguy'

[Sharino]

Does anybody know what driveshaft I will need to run?

I am debating using the getrag280 in the partscar M5 but I would also like to keep it as a spare as I have another E34 M5 and it's tranny is making a bit of noise.

Another option I have is a local guy has a 265 with the M30 bell housing. Any thoughts which is the better route? Are both 265s and 280s the same length and use the same driveshaft?

[deansbimmer]

280 is longer than 265. IIRC you can use an M3 driveshaft and linkage setup from an M3 if you use the 265. More custom stuff if you do the 280. Both use the big guibo though.

[Sharino]

which M3? E30 or E36?

Thanks for your reply.

[Massive Lee]

The S38 from the e34 chassis is 2" longer than the one from the e24 and e28 shells. Not as easy to install. Radiator will most likely need to be relocated in front of its original position, while a small auxiliary rad might be required behind the passenger side headlights if driving in traffic... Don't forget the spacers between the subframe and the shell. Or the hood won't close.

[Sharino]

Can you give me more details about the spacers? Any links? what size and what is good to use as a spacer?

[Massive Lee]

I highly suggest you spend next weekend on your computer and gather as much information as you can by Googling. Otherwise we will have to hold you by the hand thru the swap. Seriously. This swap has been done countless times and is extremely well documented.

[Sharino]

I am not looking for any handholding, just some courteous help if available, it is a forum for enthusiats. I have been planning this for a while now, just trying to get together everything I will need before I have too much of a mess with gutted cars everywhere. Trust me, I have been reading as much as I can. Its just hard, some people say you don't need spacers, others sites suggest 20mm ones from 30mm, just trying to get some feedback from people that have done this swap. I think I will just order the spacers from 30mm, only thing I need to figure out is the driveshaft. The documentation is quite lacking compared to S50/M30 swaps.

[deansbimmer]

which M3? E30 or E36?

Thanks for your reply.

e30.

[BDK]

280 is longer than 265. IIRC you can use an M3 driveshaft and linkage setup from an M3 if you use the 265. More custom stuff if you do the 280. Both use the big guibo though.

yep, you're right,
the 280 is about 1-1 1/2" longer than a 260...