M30 engine position 3

[bumpstop335i]

Ok, i have made up my mind that i want to modifly my E30 M30 in terms of changing the engine position.

At the moment, my engine is in position 2 and i want to change it to position 3. Has anyone placed their engine in position 3??

I would like photo's of the firewall modifcation if possible. I know that 4-6cm of space needs to made to accomodate the cylinder head(i would like pic's of this area). And is there any problems with removing #6 spark plug?

The reason for this is that i want to shift the COG back to the normal position of a 325i.

[euroshark]

Is it 4 to 6cm?? The last writeup I read, the guy basically removed the sound deadening material from the firewall and whacked it with a rubber mallet a few times!

[bumpstop335i]

I like hitting my car with a hammer. I figured, if it only needs a hammer to fit, then im all keen to do it.
With engine position 3, it has enough room to fit the thermo engine fan on the front.

4-6cm, could be more. Dont 100% sure. Im looking at the engine mounts from http://www.e30.de/335e.htm
My drive shaft will have to be shortend (again)

[Garageaholic]

I have my engine mounts for my e32 in motorposition II and it's just fine. The e28 radiator is a VERY VERY tight fit. but i didnt' mess with the firewall for safety concerns on front end collisions... I have the thermo fan in the front cowling of the car and i have no cooling issues. My regular 325e driveshaft fit with no modifications (it fits nicely, but preferred to be lenghened in the front half by about 3/8" longer) other than that, i have no problems with the weight distribution of the car and handling characteristics... if ur not doing F1 racing with it, you won't notice much of a difference. IMHO

[euroshark]

My regular 325e driveshaft fit with no modifications (it fits nicely, but preferred to be lenghened in the front half by about 3/8" longer)

What transmission did you use? Getrag 260? Did you have to shorten your shift linkage or was that ok too?

[Garageaholic]

The shift linkage was shortened by like 2 inches actually... I have the getrag 260. it's out of an e28 535i manual 1985

[Garageaholic]

To answer the original question. I had decided to take my M30 mounts and bring them from engine position II to III, like bumpstop had done

YES, FIREWALL MODIFICATION IS NECESSARY, i'd say hit it with a mallet a couple of times. Removing the sound deadening material will not suffice. So since I couldn't get to it to bang it out, I had decided to take my e30.de brackets off temporarily and drill a hole at engine position 2 1/2. lol

It moved my engine back a little less than an inch and the clearance to my firewall from my cylinder head is millimeters. If i could, i would've banged it out, but i had no way to get to it.....


BUMPSTOP... do you think you're really going to feel a difference moving the engine back an inch and a half?

Anybody else can chime in...

[gstuning]

On the m30 mounts I have the #2 and #3 are only about 1.5cm apart,
and beating the firewall is most definitly needed, so just whack it with a hammer

[SpunkyE30nOk]

On the m30 mounts I have the #2 and #3 are only about 1.5cm apart,
and beating the firewall is most definitly needed, so just whack it with a hammer

u cant get away with making more space by just removing the sound deadening material? I dont even know how much material is on that side of the firewall

[Garageaholic]

u cant get away with making more space by just removing the sound deadening material? I dont even know how much material is on that side of the firewall

No you cannot. I tried it last night... You still need more than a half inch of clearance to get it on the motormount bolts.. you HAVE to sledge hammer it if you want pos. III

IS IT REALLY THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE??? from pos II to III

[bumpstop335i]

If you want the same COG as a 325 then position 3 is the go. Bearing in mind that the M30 engine is about another 60kg heavier that the M20.

Yes, i think moving the engine back would make a difference. More downwards force on the rear tyres. Maybe not on the highway, but driving tight corners to the weathered driver anyway.


I suppose depending on how hardcore you want to be. One bonus of p3 is that, you dont have to remove the radiator everytime you need to do work around the front of the engine. Also, any small hit to the front of the car, could put a hole in the radiator far more easily from it hitting the front of the engine.

[SpunkyE30nOk]

If you want the same COG as a 325 then position 3 is the go. Bearing in mind that the M30 engine is about another 60kg heavier that the M20.

Yes, i think moving the engine back would make a difference. More downwards force on the rear tyres. Maybe not on the highway, but driving tight corners to the weathered driver anyway.


I suppose depending on how hardcore you want to be. One bonus of p3 is that, you dont have to remove the radiator everytime you need to do work around the front of the engine. Also, any small hit to the front of the car, could put a hole in the radiator far more easily from it hitting the front of the engine.

I'm an autocrosser so I guess it has to be pos III, every little inch counts.. by anyone pull their m30 from an e23? thats my donor car just wonder if anyone has any tips on removing the front end without just going in and breaking shit about

[Gus]

sup tim

you can't....only LHD drive cars can use pos 3....the RHD have that linkage bar going across the firewall which is pretty much hard up against it

[echothreezero]

Gus - you know this, or think? As I have been doing all my plans based on a pos III install. Not so happy with II.

And I assume you are talking about the brake linkage?

[Mike325]

Old and a good thread.

Can anyone tell me where position II and III are in this pic? There are only 2 holes.