Couple M30 Inquires

[RickSloan]

Ok i didnt want to jack anyone elses thread with a couple of questions i have concerning the swap so i figured i would start one.

Ok here are my questions
1. Can I use an 85-86 325e starter and alternator with the M30?
2. With the exhaust manifolds, can I use M20 Manifolds so i can use my current exhaust and just Mod the floor pan?
3. Does anyone have a DIY on cam install, i have looked, used the search button and still turned up nothing useful so yes I'm asking.
4. What lift points did you guys find best to hoist the motor, I'm finding there are very few good ones so i wanted to get some opinions.

I believe thats the important stuff for now, if i think of others i'll be sure to add. Anything would be a great help!

Thanks Guys
Robbie

[Jonsku]

1. Can I use an 85-86 325e starter and alternator with the M30?
2. With the exhaust manifolds, can I use M20 Manifolds so i can use my current exhaust and just Mod the floor pan?
3. Does anyone have a DIY on cam install, i have looked, used the search button and still turned up nothing useful so yes I'm asking.
4. What lift points did you guys find best to hoist the motor, I'm finding there are very few good ones so i wanted to get some opinions.

1. No you can't, totally different parts.
2. Still no. You can mod frontpipes to match M30 manifolds (probably, haven't tried myself) but manifolds are totally different.
3. www.e30.de is worth checking
4. Rear lift point is near starter and the front lift point is on the front of the engine, near thermostat housing. Easy to find.

[Garageaholic]

Ok i didnt want to jack anyone elses thread with a couple of questions i have concerning the swap so i figured i would start one.

Ok here are my questions
1. Can I use an 85-86 325e starter and alternator with the M30?
2. With the exhaust manifolds, can I use M20 Manifolds so i can use my current exhaust and just Mod the floor pan?
3. Does anyone have a DIY on cam install, i have looked, used the search button and still turned up nothing useful so yes I'm asking.
4. What lift points did you guys find best to hoist the motor, I'm finding there are very few good ones so i wanted to get some opinions.

I believe thats the important stuff for now, if i think of others i'll be sure to add. Anything would be a great help!

Thanks Guys
Robbie

1. It just so happens that I have a starter AND alternator perfect condition (alternator does not have the fan blade). I will give them both to you for $200 shipped to your zip code. Guaranteed to work and have alot of life. Alternator is NOT the 140A type, It's the lower amperage, but worked just fine in my e30 M30. When you add up the core charges, it really adds up to be a good chunk of money for the two.

2. You need to use M30 headers. You can either fabricate your own downpipes or use some from an M30.

3. I do not know anything about cam swaps.

4. Lift points are in the front, there is a water pump bracket. The rear is a loop right near where the starter is installed.


Remember, you're doing an M30 swap, not an M20 swap. The only M20 things that are swappable are the fuel filter, ignition coil, ICV (depending on year), throttle cable, cruise control, and some other stupid shit not worth mentioning.

[euroshark]

Cam swaps are easy. If you are good at puzzles you can actually do it without removing any of the valves, but I've only done that twice... The last couple times I rented a spring compressor from Advance Auto Parts ($50, refunded when you return it) and that really makes things go easy, just make sure the valves go right back where they came from. OR, so really make it easy, don't even take the valves out, just compress them as needed (usually only need to do one at a time, you will see when you try it) just to get the rocker out of the way of the cam lobe. Let me know if you need any help.

BTW, the alternator WILL fit and work, but the starter won't.

[RickSloan]

Thank you, this was all good news. I'll let you know if i run into any troubles.