M20 or M30 swap.

[Roysneon]

Hi guys!

I've recently acquired my first e30 project, an 84 318i. It's been sitting for a while, and from what I've gathered about the car, the M10 is tired and may need a rebuild or head gasket job. For the cost and time it would take to rebuild the m10 I'd rather just swap to something newer and with a little more power.

My dilemma is that I've found an E28 with an M30 and the guy wants $100 for the engine, wiring, ecu and anything else I want to pull from the car or $200 for the whole car. The only problem is it's an auto and I'd then have to source a manual transmission for it. This car will be more of a sporty daily driver that might see a track day or autocross somewhere along the line.

My main question is how much harder is the M30 swap, since the M20 came factory in an e30 and is the extra cost/work for the M30 worth it? I don't want to add too much weight to the car either, so that's a consideration as well.

I know I'll need to "massage" the firewall, get a different rad, and upgrade from the small case differential for the M30 swap, nothing that would stop me from doing it if the power over the standard M20 swap would be worth it.

[Jean]

Hi,

Since we have same cars and I did the b35 swap I can probably answer most of your questions.

Finding a manual m30 specific 260/5(used in e28s and others) or 260/6(used in e34 535i) is not going to be very difficult, these aren't exactly rare :)

Since the engine you are looking at is from an e28 it's most likely a b34 (double check it) and needs a different oil pan/pump assembly.

The issue here is you'll be doing just as much work labor wise to do either swap, since almost NONE of your current m10 stuff will swap over. m20 or m30 you'll need different tranny/driveshaft/exhaust/cooling system/wiring. The only major difference is that you'll need custom engine mounts to make the b35 swap and a few guys on here sell them.

Either swap will add weight over your m10, not just the engine alone but the tranny and exhaust as well.

If you can afford to get custom engine mounts or can make them yourself I would not bother with a b25 swap.

[george graves]

Have you driven a m20 powered e30 yet? I assume you have, but if you haven't that's where I'd start. That will answer 1/2 the questions. The M20 to M30 is a bigger step up in power then the step from m10 to m20 - Or at least it feels like it.

- Going from a m10 to a m20 you'll think to yourself, "ah this is nice - I can merge onto the freeway easily".
- Going from a m20 to a m30 you'll think to yourself, "nice - 90 MPH already - That was easy"
- Going from a m10 to a m30 you'll think to yourself, "Holly balls, I'm going to need the number of a good chiropractor"

;)

[Jean]

Hahaha.... and not having to downshift EVER unless you absolutely want to ...

[Roysneon]

Ok, I can deal with different mounts, and the price is certainly right for the M30 engine. My only real concern is the wiring. Will I be able to swap an M20 engine harness in and use the M30 ecu or will I need to completely rewire the engine bay?

I've actually driven this car before a few years ago and thought it felt quite anemic... I got it from my father who lost interest in it and I've never actually driven or ridden in another BMW before.

Most of my knowledge comes from -now don't laugh- Dodge Neons but now I'm looking to put together a nicer, more serious car.

It looks like if the M10 starts and runs I'll leave it alone for now and then piece together the parts for the M30 swap.

[LowR3V'in]

The b34s suck, but mostly because the older motronic. Get the m1.3 w/chip
and it'll be pretty decant I think.

People swap out for the b35 stuff on mye28.com with great success

[Jean]

Roysneon - don't worry about wiring. If I have to hold your hand I'll do it, look through some of my threads on this and you'll see the exact wiring you need to go from the early 318 to b35.

[xwill112x]

m50 swap

[LowR3V'in]

ls1 swap

[xwill112x]

briggs and straton swap

[Roysneon]

Well I do know a guy who wrecked his turbo RX-7 at the track last year. Wonder if I could swap the rotary in?

For the price I think I may as well pick up what I can off of this car. What all should I grab while I'm there? Driveshaft, transmission, diff, radiator, and wiring?

Also, would a Megasquirt help the problems with the b34? It's fairly common with Neon guys and I have an MSI on my shelf that is/was supposed to go into one.

[JoeMadoo]

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2365613

[weaksauce]

get a turbine engine from a helicopter....

geez guys.

[Jean]

Well I do know a guy who wrecked his turbo RX-7 at the track last year. Wonder if I could swap the rotary in?

For the price I think I may as well pick up what I can off of this car. What all should I grab while I'm there? Driveshaft, transmission, diff, radiator, and wiring?

Also, would a Megasquirt help the problems with the b34? It's fairly common with Neon guys and I have an MSI on my shelf that is/was supposed to go into one.

Read this guide first - http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=163724

You'll then know what parts you'll need and/or can use .

[619E30]

s52 swap