Another E30 M30 Swap Thread, this time with an 84 318i

[the imitator]

Call me a quitter but do to unexpected variables and the fact tht I am leaving Washington in 2 days is keeping me from finishing this project, but bigger and better things are around the corner.

I bought an e36 driveshaft trying to match up a half to my z3 shaft which was too short, despite my efforts I came up about 2 inches too short or too long.

That, a bellhousing bolt, and rewelding shifter parts is all that's left for this project to be finished, unfortunately, that wont be happening.

I have put a down payment on an n54b30 from a 07 335i, that swap is taking priority asap, I am done with the m30 swap.

That being said my m30 swap is for sale, and it is by far the most complete swap I've seen on this forum; almost all of these items are brand new never used/fresh installs

M30b35 Head decked 2/3 years ago, New seals/ gaskets everywhere, rear main, crank seal, oil pan, valve cover, headgasket, new pilot bearing. The headgasket was done because the PO installed a MLS headgasket that was double thickness in prep for turbo charging. injectors cleaned and flow tested. Great swap candidate!

Garagistic m30 swap mounts drilled for pos 3.5
G-man visionary poly mounts (perfect fit)

G265/5 with g260 flange swap, selector rod seal, input and output shaft seals, brass pivot pin all new hardware done 4 days ago.
shifter Plate style to shifter rod style mount (oem piece)
E30 M3 trans brace
AKG e30 m3 poly mounts
z3 2.8 shifter W/ ZHP shift Knob
Z3 selector rod with garagistic bushings
Z3 shifter rod
M5 clutch
M5 pressure plate
single mass flywheel freshly resurfaced
pilot bearing


m30 swap harness ready to roll great condition, and I'll include blank body side c101 for rewiring your e30
179 ecu with expensive chip
e36 m3 mishimoto radiator
CAtuned carbon fiber intake
M oil cap

m30 swap exhaust is a 2.5 inch single to a big collector to 2.5 to a Flo-Pro dual tip exhaust

[G-Man the Visionary]

Alright man! Hope the new swap works out for you!

[the imitator]

If I had another couple days it could happen. There's barely any work left, I was so frustrated yesterday .

[nighthawk]

If I had another couple days it could happen. There's barely any work left, I was so frustrated yesterday .

Planning on selling as a whole swap? If not, I may be interested in the exhaust setup. Thanks.

[the imitator]

Might be willing to part just the exhaust, not sure yet though.

[the imitator]

This swap is back in progress.. Long story short, after being in sac-town for just 4 days; our claims service has pleaded that we train/work back up here in the northwest. Just got done doing the 11-12 hour trip back up and I plan to get things going ASAP.

Pins need wired, gas needs drained and tank check for gunk, and I'm ready for turn over.

[dugly52]

I was going to be interested in picking up your swap, as I too want an M30. But I'm glad to see your picking it back up.

[G-Man the Visionary]

This swap is back in progress.. Long story short, after being in sac-town for just 4 days; our claims service has pleaded that we train/work back up here in the northwest. Just got done doing the 11-12 hour trip back up and I plan to get things going ASAP.

Pins need wired, gas needs drained and tank check for gunk, and I'm ready for turn over.

Si se puede!

[the imitator]

Im very excited, just remembered I need an 02 sensor! donations? or cheap prices appreciated!

[the imitator]

Ive tried posting this update 2 times now, SCREW this computer, it even ate my "copy' trying to save my own ass!

I hope to have start up tomorrow, wiring is in, just a few bolts need to be fastened, hoses are relocated, but I need to do so coolant hose rerouting, literally 2 inches worth.


Had to hand bend that hardline at the firewall


This is a g265 notorious bitch bolt if you install the engine with the bellhousing first, without the trans attached, the other bolts are at reach just fine, but not even a swivel socket will make that puppy work, I had to grind down a crows foot in order for it to work, $10 bucks from harbor freight made this job a 5 minute ordeal.
Uppder bolt way up in the pic.


said crowsfoot



Little bit of cancer in this photo, my 84 had a couple tricks here; The late model wiring loom end clam for the ecu wouldn't fit through the stock hole in the firewall. Along with that my early model did not come with a perforation in the metal for me to relocate me battery, I had to make the hole myself.


overall shot of the engine bay


I picked up this snow performance methanol injection kit for free dollars!

[Mr. Burns]

Nice work insofar!
The head literally looks glued to the firewall, did you bash it in some?

Methanol injection? For realsies? ?

[the imitator]

I indeed bashed in the firewall, further more for the g265 to fit with position 3.5 you have to knock the drive side and top portion of the trans tunnel.

Ya, we will see when that kit will get use , I'm thinking with the n54.

[the imitator]

That was spensive.

[CorvallisBMW]

Why? The M30 is a 40 years old at this point. Synthetic oil didn't even exist when it was developed, it sure doesn't require it. Save that stuff for the N54.

[Mr. Burns]

Why? The M30 is a 40 years old at this point. Synthetic oil didn't even exist when it was developed, it sure doesn't require it. Save that stuff for the N54.

I'll have to agree
I'm all for treating out new to us engines with the best fluids we can find, however I think plain old Dino oil will do the trick.