What will this do to my E30

[Belteshazzar]

well, kinda apprehensive about asking a question because i should use the search function, but here it goes anyway: pros to cons,is a rebuild to this engine worth it compared to a budget stroker with seta pistons?

opinions? advice from people that have done it
thanks.

To begin with, I wouldn't bother rebuilding any M30. The ones with under 200k miles that I've taken apart had no significant wear. It makes more sense to me to get a 150k mile junkyard motor for $400-500 than try and rebuild one and hope my engine building skills where on par with bmw's.

Secondly, my SuperETA hybrid set me back about $600 altogether, and that's starting from scratch. It put 155hp and 162 lbs of torque to the ground, probably not to far behind the stock m30, but lighter and obviously fitment is a non-issue. Now for only a little more a guy can probably complete the m30 swap and go on to reach levels beyond my m20's capability, but none of that is free either.

[euroshark]

Is this a dyno verified 155hp and 162ft/lbs at the wheels?

That aside, even if you go with a US spec B34, you have 215ft/lbs at your disposal at 400rpm, and damn near 190ft/lbs from around 2000rpm all the way to 5000rpm... (Don't quote me on that, that's more or less the euro torque spread but they are very similar to the US motors in that respect). Not to mention that more than 162ft/lbs of that make it to the tires. If you are one of the lucky people who are able to use or build a euro spec M30 you have a pretty damn quick car that can be made much quicker by adding a cam, headers, chip, etc. No super ETA hybrid (or any NA M20) is going to make 260hp and 280ft/lbs with the same mods.

Go with the M30. It's a cheap swap if you shop smart and the torque spread / availability alone makes the driving experience 100x better than stock.

Edit: I'm not bashing your car by any means, I'm just trying to hammer down the point that even a US M30 swap is far beyond an M20 in terms of performance.

[colombacho]

what about track use? I dont think i will be getting it done soon, maybe by the end of next summer, but i do intend to make this car a decent track vehicle.

[silversleeper]

M30s produce 208hp and 225 torque... how is that not a significant increase over a M20? and that is before a EAT chip, which adds a considerable amount of power... i would imagine that translates to neck snapping torque in an e30.

[colombacho]

point taken^

it will be a PITA to take out when the car is on the ground.

[Belteshazzar]

Is this a dyno verified 155hp and 162ft/lbs at the wheels?

absolutely.
all junkyard parts, 150k mile shortblock + 325i head from a '87 that had been totalled 3 different ways by the time I put it out of it's misery and parted 'er down.
I realize without spending cubic dollars that's about as far as the combo can go, just thought I'd tell the guy what to expect.

[speedhop]

i have no idea why everyone bashes the m30 swap so hard...when you stop enjoying the mindless torque (hopefully never) add a turbo!

[Mastrcruse]

Go with the M30. It's a cheap swap if you shop smart and the torque spread / availability alone makes the driving experience 100x better than stock.
.

Like $1000 for the car/swap/and everything in between :D. Yea I have one if anyone wants it!!

[euroshark]

Fuck, I have $$$ now dude... I'm totally set on buying something exotic though.

But seriously, I will return to the E30 community some day with another 335i... Some day...

[colombacho]

sorry to see you go man, you were the only one that was really close to where i live. What are you looking at? Lotus? or still more exotic?

[euroshark]

I bought another Alfa Romeo... My first car (that I bought) was an Alfa... 4 BMWs and an Audi later, I'm back! 1991 164 3.0 5 speed, black on black, full service history from Ferrari of Denver!

I still have my Euro 6 series though, and I definitely still want to build a 335i... Maybe next year when I am making more money!

I am still totally down to help you with a swap or whatever too btw

[colombacho]

Alfa romeo, wow that sounds fancy. i've never been on one, so do not know how they drive, but i am sure they are pretty good. Shame the new ones will not came state side. they have very nice models.


btw: update

i just went and picked up the motor!!!, It was sort a bitch to get out. It could have been harder, but i could have been easier. No matter i got it now.

It was a hell of an experience going to sidewinders. I almost got into it with the owner of the place. A fuckng dick all the way. Me and my buddy were about to knock his lights out, but o well. f@#$ his life:finger:. Was not gonna mess up my experience due to him. Also a guy came up to my buddy and told him that he should leave the engine after he takes it out and he will take off our hands. No, thank you, but thanks for asking!. Got it sitting in the garage now. As i read and do more research i am more and more glad i got it.

next on the list is a gertag tranny 265.