M30b35 swap into 1990 vert *NOW WITH LIFE!!*

[Mr. Burns]

Hello fans,

I've owned this E30 for a little over 3 years.

bought it bone stock, 2 owners I am the 3rd.



I've done everything I've wanted to do since purchase.

Powerflex EVERYTHING bushings.
full ground control coilovers+Koni's
Garagistic reinforced everything
euro bits here and there
front valance
killer stereo (lukebox)
MarkD 91 chip
Metric Blue headstuds
new HG
full 3" exhaust
Ronal LS's on 225/50/15's

Had it boosted for 1 season, was fun WHILE it worked.
Sold off boost kit.

how it sits this day.


so I opted for a M30b35 swap, over M52, over S52. I feel they are being played out a little and I really wanted to keep with the period correctness of the car. i'm not a speed junky, I simply want a little more kick off the line, I read the M30b35 will provide just that.


got my engine mounts from Garagistic (well, actually Superboosted)


Got ECU with SSSquid stage 1 tune (also from Superboosted)


Got M30 getrag 260 transmission


Travelled over 1,000 kilometers on a Saturday round trip and picked up a clean/fresh rebuilt head M30b35...in a little Ford Focus Wagon to boot!


how it sits in garage now


in two weeks I'm pulling my M20b25 and transmission which is already sold to a member on the forum.
Early next spring is when she gets dropped in...just needs a couple more parts and should be good to boot!

I'll post here with picture and updates:)

[wannaBMthree]

Clean M30! Good luck with the swap and good choice. :)

[RagtopE30]

Awesome! I always like to see another person building a convertible and you are going with a M30 which is even better!

[the imitator]

Heck ya! Let me know if you are in need of anything!

[Red88]

Niceee. Are you sure that's not an m10 tranny? Looks pretty short

[cgk_iii]

This is my dream swap minus the vert
. Sweet set up. Sub'd

[Ether-D]

Niceee. Are you sure that's not an m10 tranny? Looks pretty short

That's not a g-240 (from m10), cause I been spending a lot of time with one lately.

That motor looks young and beautiful.

[CorvallisBMW]

Awesome! good luck, let us know if we can provide any knowledge

[garagistic]

Good luck with the swap. Hope you like our swap mounts!

[Mr. Burns]

Niceee. Are you sure that's not an m10 tranny? Looks pretty short

No sir, just the pic makes it look a little stubby.
Pulled it from a m30 car myself

[Mr. Burns]

Heck ya! Let me know if you are in need of anything!

Thank you sir!
Following your swap as well

[ThatOneEuroE30]

This will be a good build

[hotdish]

What are your driveshaft plans? I used the Garagistic mounts with a Getrag g260/6, swapped the output flange, and it bolted up to my '85 323i driveshaft, which I believe is very close to the 325i length.

[Mr. Burns]

What are your driveshaft plans? I used the Garagistic mounts with a Getrag g260/6, swapped the output flange, and it bolted up to my '85 323i driveshaft, which I believe is very close to the 325i length.

I'm sure yet, part of the laundry list of parts I still need to accumulate.
Might wait for a seta to hit the pnp, or will get it custom made at a fab shop.
Got all winter really to figure that out, it's the last of the "big" parts to aquire

[Mr. Burns]

Lame update
Changed the oil in my M20 before I pull it this weekend.

I also took this pics