Reasonable price for an M30 Swap???

[1craze30]

seems you can do an m50 swap for way less

[Roysneon]

Every person's goals are different. M30's are rock solid motors - and yea, you can do then for under $2k. That and the amazing amount of TQ puts this swap leaps and bounds above a m50 swap. It's harder to do, but most of us are stupid that way and like to wrench - so that negative is actually a positive.

It looks to me that an m5x swap would be harder/more expensive. Maybe because I'm thinking about my car in particular being an early model 318 so I could still use my transmission.

[george graves]

I just noticed I have the drive shaft work on there twice. Looks like it's $400 less. $3600.

[talltorontoguy]

I did my swap, replaced every gasket, every hose, rebuilt the engine down to rings and bearings. I don't even want to think about what it really cost.

Then this year, I decided to turbo... so it starts all over again. New parts, new custom exhaust, new motor mount blah blah blah


R

[E30SPDFRK]

Yeah George, you're a brave man for keeping track of everything

[Lurker27]

Sometimes it is best not to know

[Jean]

Good thing I didn't keep track of my build haha.

[george graves]

Every person's goals are different. M30's are rock solid motors - and yea, you can do then for under $2k. That and the amazing amount of TQ puts this swap leaps and bounds above a m50 swap. It's harder to do, but most of us are stupid that way and like to wrench - so that negative is actually a positive.

Here's my budget. I was gong for more of a daily driver, nice install, with no issues, and no "I'll do that in 6 months" kind of thing. I'm really happy.

[Erick]

It depends how much you shop around. I got it done for ~$500. All depends on timing really. But a proper M30, plus some good maintenance parts before dropping it in, will land you at about $1000-1500 in total for the swap.

- E

[E30SPDFRK]

I'd say 75% of the e34 535i's for sale up here are 5 speeds. Not sure why.

Rough prices though if you buy everything seperate:

$300 -engine (junkyard, average price)
$150 -transmission clutch and flywheel (junkyard, average price)
$100 -driveshaft (online forums)
$250 -Mounts (used on forums)
$200 -radiator (new, don't cheap out, it's a pain to replace it once its in the car)
$50 -hoses (same as above, except not as much of a pain)

And thats all you really need to get you going. Theres still some other things you may need depending on the condition and year car they're going into, such as:

$300 -every new gasket ( I hate paying this, but the peace of mind is almost worth it)
$600 -New clutch, resurfaced flywheel (rough guess, haven't had to get one new yet)
$75 -e32/4 oil pan and pickup (forums)
$100 -early e34 engine harness (forums, ebay)
$200 -shortened/balanced driveshaft

plus roughly 10% for miscellaneous stuff that you WILL forget

[foofopps]

I respect the e28, but the e34 can go to the scrap pile when Im done with it, speaking of CL deals, check out this 87 535is too bad its an auto

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/1744203277.html

[Jean]

A rusted out 535iM is one thing, but if you find a clean 535i don't get it just for the engine/tranny.

[george graves]

Well - you made a lair out of me!

[foofopps]

There is one on CL right now in chicago for $999 and im sure its still negotiable but I don't know if im going to bite the bullet...

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/1743012192.html

[george graves]

A 5-speed would make it easier - but a wrecked e34 5-speed is next to impossible to find.