Just how bad is handling with a 3.5L ?

[Jean]

Good morning,

Just how bad is handling and balance with an m30b35 in an early e30 ? I am sure it pulls like a tank etc, but do you notice how heavy the front end is and how much does it effect handling ?

What tranny and/or lsd combination would I need to get 60mph or so in 2nd gear (autox use).

Thanks.

[JoeMadoo]

I don't notice much of a difference at all, its only 60 pounds more...

I have a 3.25 Rear and i hit about 70 in 2nd. So i'd imagine a 3.46 would do about 60 or so at the redline in second.

[george graves]

Let me ask you this: Are you "in-tune" with your car enough that if I added 50 lbs to the trunk with out you knowing - would you be able to tell a difference?

It's kinda like that. Most people would not even notice it.

Everyone here with a m30 has a very nice handling car...

[tjts1]

I bet you would notice it going from an M10 or M42 in more ways than one.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq/

[ldsbeaker]

I have a 3.25 Rear and i hit about 70 in 2nd. So i'd imagine a 3.46 would do about 60 or so at the redline in second.

Plus eleventy. Good on gas mileage if you run in higher gears, too.

[Jean]

Let me ask you this: Are you "in-tune" with your car enough that if I added 50 lbs to the trunk with out you knowing - would you be able to tell a difference?

It's kinda like that. Most people would not even notice it.

Everyone here with a m30 has a very nice handling car...

I wouldn't mind it on a street, but I would notice my times drop in autox. Especially with an m10, but maybe not so with m30?

My biggest concern is how the turn in is on the car with an m30. What keeps me interesting in the m30b35 is the amount of low end torque and hp which could really help coming out of the corners....but another concern of mine is does it feel like out of breath not too long after midrange and would I be hoping for a different cam ?

I don't care about mpg much as long as it's about 20mpg if driven in a sane manner. Having a 2nd gear that would go as high as 60mph would really help in autox since most local courses rarely go faster than that. I bet I would need to change my rear diff too.

[george graves]

I don't know enough about auto-x to tell you either way...

[Belteshazzar]

slip one in and report back.

[Jean]

Belteshazzar - lol

[whiltebeitel]

Anybody got cornerweights on an M30 car?

[euroshark]

If you are going from an air conditioning equipped M20 to a non AC M30 there should be NO difference in weight assuming you remove the AC compressor and all of the associated pieces. The M30 is only 58lbs heavier than the M20, it's really not a big deal.

[Jean]

IF I got this route I have no A/C or Heater, and it's non air bag car if that matters.

I gotta find out what it will take to get this done on an early car with early electrical harness.... I am just worried that the front end will feel very heavy going from an m10 to m30...

[Brinkley]

i think youll get the grunt you want for autox but the car will definitely handle differently m10 vs m30 personally i think the additional power will make up for it.
upgraded suspension perhaps for a 325 might help?
Also i would be interested too in some wiring schematics i have an 85 318 that im completely swapping out, in particular id be interested in the body harness diagram if you do find that.

[Jean]

I have the diagrams in a pdf and IIRC they are in the factory repair manual. The front struts are getting upgraded regardless , brakes are already 325i vented front and disc rear. I am going to upgrade from the bilstein sports to koni and have the struts cut and gc sleeves welded this time.

[Brinkley]

Cool man. Can i be a complete leach and ask you for the pdf files? If not, ill go buy the repair manual.
Also-- sounds like youre going to have a beast of an e30. Did you do the rear disc conversion yourself? did you change out slave/master and such? i am going to be doing mine soon. i have the arms and slave from a 325i.
Edit: not trying to thread jack. sorry