Story of my m30 swap - 1/4 mile times 6/28/2005

[decay]

wow... props for providing all this info- the m30 swap is now much more well-documented.

[DEV0 E30]

If a Jim C chip does that, kudos to people going the M30 route, has some plus points. When I do get around to adding power to my eta, I'm not gonna waste time with it. Gonna go M50 route, I don't think I need S50 power just yet in my life.

Great work with documenting it dude, keep up the great work.

[uflnuceng]

Im going to do a complete writeup on my website by 5/23 on the swap. I have plenty of pics and notes.

I disagree. The M50 is practically a direct bolt-in. The only custom work necessary is the brake booster and the exhaust.

You wanna provide a writeup on my website or at least some pictures for the comparison on my website?

The main problem with working on the m30 is the radiator. There is very little clearance, maybe about 1/8th of an inch. Im going to get a custom radiator made for about $500 that should fix that. If I still had a/c in my car that might be a problem. What would be nice is to get some pictures of the 335i that BMW made in South Africa. I've googled all I could with no luck.

I can easily reach just about everything in the engine. I think it ultimately boils down to budget and preference, and in my opinion the m30 has greater potential for performance, where as the m50 may have greater potential for performance while still maintaining its liveability with ad-ons like A/C.

Either or... I love the m20 engine. Its only fault is its timing belt. I have seen turbocharged versions of that engine running 11 second quarter-miles (http://www.bimmerjim.com) which is impressive. But i have always wanted to do an engine swap, there was a cheap m30 available down the turnpike. If it had been an m50 and I had budgeted for it things might have been different.

There is a guy a couple towns over from me who is supposedly doing an m50 swap. I'll have to swing by and get some of my own impressions of that swap.

[BS87]

The main reason i like the M30 swap so much is boost. Now, i don't know if it's true or not, but from what i hear, the M30 can take massiv amounts of boost no problem, with alot to show for it.

[uflnuceng]

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!

All I did was turn the key and she started right up the very first time. Unbelievable!!!!!

I gotta finish up a couple things to get it on wheels, but we should be good to go very soon.

[IAm-Topik]

awesome news man! I'm considering doing an m30 swap pretty soon (it looks like I've got a good line on a cheap motor from a 735 near me). I'd be really interested to hear what type of power you end up putting down with the new motor.

[uflnuceng]

I won't be able to get to a dyno for quite sometime, but I will be able to give 1/4 mile times on saturday. I'll have info on a stock 325i, a 325i with a conforti chip and no cat, and now a 335i (stock ecu and a conforti chip).

Im gonna start working on my writeup on my website. I'll let you guys know when its done.

Just took the wife over to see that car that has had me away nights and weekends for the last 3.5 weeks. She thinks its pretty cool and really loud :D

Later
Jared

[Xmarksthespot21]

I won't be able to get to a dyno for quite sometime, but I will be able to give 1/4 mile times on saturday. I'll have info on a stock 325i, a 325i with a conforti chip and no cat, and now a 335i (stock ecu and a conforti chip).

Im gonna start working on my writeup on my website. I'll let you guys know when its done.

Just took the wife over to see that car that has had me away nights and weekends for the last 3.5 weeks. She thinks its pretty cool and really loud :D

Later
Jared

Post the numbers of those cars as soon as you get the chance. I'd love to see what it does.

[rs4pro3]

congrats, the BMW 335is used the E28 radiator I believe, and alpina went with a custom small one. When I test futted the m30 into my 87 shell the ac just barely fit. But in my 88 that has a bent frame the Compressor was up tight against the radiator.
FYI an 86 up E28 535is AC compressor mount you can use the stock e30 AC compressor.
I'm going to add the e30 to my recently purchased 81 633csi that has a seized compressor.

[george graves]

awesome man!!!!!

[uflnuceng]

Took some videos this evening...

Car is still on stilts awaiting some offset CA bushings so that my et41 wheels will be able to turn without rubbing the firewall.

Right-click, save, play in Windows Media Player or whatever else works

• Smooth idle and side shot - 4 seconds, 640x480.
  Smooth idle front shot - 4 seconds, 640x480
  Light weight flywheel is a good thing - 4 seconds, 640x480
  Start it up, rev the engine, listen to that exhaust - 20 seconds, 320x240

This video is kinda hasty, but I had to use my digital camera and light wasn't very good.

Enjoy :twisted:

[Dominick]

you my friend are a badass

[Brew]

Re: Took some videos this evening...

Sounds freakin' badass man. :shock:

You wanna provide a writeup on my website or at least some pictures for the comparison on my website?

I'll try to get some pictures up at some point, but I don't really have time to do a write up, sorry.

Basic parts list would be:

-M50/S50 motor w/ full wiring harness, ecu, manifolds and accessories
-E36 engine mount arms, E28 535i engine mounts
-E34 525i M50 oil pan
-E21 or E30 325ix brake booster
-88+ radiator/mounts/overflow resevoir, e36 325i coolant hoses

If I missed anything blatantly obvious, someone let me know.

[uflnuceng]

Yeah... pictures would be super helpful and anything that diviates from what most people typically do.

Doesn't that car sound sick? Im not going to be putting a cat on it and I am going to make a custom exhaust that comes right out the side. Im far enough out in the sticks that cops aren't really around and wont really be on my ass if i just take it out on weekends.

Still so much to do though...

[E30/M30]

Well done on the swap,sounds like you have been working really hard to get it done. 8)

I can't wait for the 1/4 mile times ! :D

and with a Conforti chip it becomes 261hp/250ft-lbs. .

I don't want to sound negative but you arn't going to get that much from a chip :?

Thought I would post a picy up of mine so you can compare instals,i'm using the E30.de mounts on P3.



A short clip of me reving the engine.(ignore the temp gauge i had the wronge sender)

Right click and save as

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.law47/M30%20music.AVI

and this is my next mod,i'm making an adapter plate so i can bolt these E28 M5 ITB's to my M30.



Sorry for the mini hijack,i thought you might be interested in another 335. ;)

Andy