Corner weights of an e30M30

[wazzu70]

Has anyone with an M30 swap in their e30 had the car on scales to get corner weights? I am curious as to how much the weight up front really effects the front/rear bias.

Im hoping to get some local e30s together to have them corner weighed with similar suspension setups and different motor swaps so there is some documentation as to the changes to expect. Granted its not gnats nuts accurate because there are a lot of variables, but it would still be useful information regarding a swap.

If anyone has the info please share so I can add it to the results. thanks.

[Mot]

cool idea, I always wondered what the weight distrobution on my m52 318 was. I know the entire car is very light, but I'm sure its something like 60/40....

[wazzu70]

I figure a lot of people (myself included) would love to have this info. I have an M20 car on a GC setup, I know at least one S5X locally with a GC setup, and an M30 car locally with a GC setup. I figure this should be close enough to give a rough idea of how much you are knocking the car out of balance with the new engine. I could probably get an M42 cars data as well just for comparison purposes.

Its always nice to have some solid numbers to back up claims and give people a chance to make an educated decision on which route to take with their swap.

Hopefully it all works out and I can get it done.

[euroshark]

I just want to throw this out there, though Im sure most people with M30 swaps already know this...

The M20 weighs 268lbs and the M30 weighs 315lbs, thats only 57lbs extra on the front. If you remove your AC system and run the M30 as far back as possible, I am willing bet that the weight distribution would be the same or better than stock, because you don't have the AC compressor hanging off the front of the motor (25-30lbs), the lines, or the other shit. My Alfa's AC system total weighed almost 80lbs, and the compressor was dainty in comparrison to the one I took off my E30, let alone the monster I removed from the M30!

My E30 has absolutely no trace of the AC system left in it, and although I have not weighed it all, I would bet on all the pieces totalling around 70 or 80lbs. My M30 is in the furthest back position on the e30.de mounts. I am also curious as to the corner weights, I bet with a setup like mine, they will be very close to a stock 325e or 325i, if not slightly less weight on the front.

Edit: Anyone with the Alpina Performance Portfolio books can probably back me up here. The reviews on the M3 based B6 say that it handles just like a stock M3, with maybe a fraction more understeer right at the limit. But remember, the S14 is lighter than the M20, so any effect the extra weight of the M30 had on the M3 chassis is probably less in a chassis that came equipped with an M20. Alpina's only big suspension modification to that car was adding factory M3 "with air conditioning" springs to cope with the extra weight. Cha ching!!

[wazzu70]

Im pretty sure the cars that I have in mind will have the AC system removed as most people do this in the process of the swap. I also think like you mention, that actually weighing a car with a motor swapped (with the removal of unnecessary junk) is a much better indicator as to expected weight distribution than just using the straight up weight of the motor and accessories.

My M20 still has the AC hooked up and weighing the car down so it should make for a good comparison to the cars most people drive before considering a swap.

I think you should take your car to get the corners weighed to contribute to the database! You know you are curious....

[euroshark]

I am curious... Once she's all ready for the road (ie after the suspension is put together), I'll go on down to Bimmerhaus Racing and see if my buddy Dave can hook up some scale time for free!

lol

Otherwise, it's never happening!