M30 swap into e30 vert, HELP!!!

[idrillteeth]

I want to do an M30 swap ioto my e30, I need some help in finding a shop here in Texas, San antonio area, that can do the swap. I have been calling around and with basically no help from anyone that has any experience doing any kind of swaps. I am willing to pay for someone to come and take my car and put a m30 in it for me. The m42 which is in perfect condition btw, is just not enough oomph. Pm me if anyone can help.

[E30 Cabrio]

Can't help you with finding a shop, but I was just wondering if you're going to do a swap, why not for something with more "oomph" than an M30?

Or do you already have a donor motor lined up?

An M30 would probably be one of the least expensive as far as engine swaps go, but my opinion is that if you're going to swap motors, might as well go for the gusto and go with something with more HP/Torque.

Perhaps an S50 or variant?

Also, have you given any thought to modding your current motor?

Might be a good candidate for a "Stroker" rebuild, but I don't know a whole lot about these motors so I'm just thinking out loud, but I've heard the M42 can be modded to make some decent HP

[euroshark]

An S50 / S52 may make more hp depending on what you do to it, but the M30 has a torque curve that is hard to beat. The M30 is effortlessly quick, even stock, just because of the massive torque curve. You rarely have to wind it out even in an E28! I drive 25 miles to work on some really cool back roads and I can keep it under 2000rpm the whole way. An S50 / S52 is busier, you have to work it harder because it wants to rev, and naturally because it's smaller (assuming you compare it to a 3.5 liter M30).

The M30 is one of the most trouble free, low maintenance motors you can get in my opinion, and that makes it a very attractive option. Plus if you decide to rebuild it, it's a ton cheaper than an S50 / S52 (the head is what gets you on the 24v motors).

I've owned 6 Bimmers with m30s now, and I have built one 335i to date (getting ready to start the sequel) so I have quite a bit of experience with them. I'd love to help, but I doubt I could get the time off of work... the world needs Alfa Romeo parts!

If you are willing to ship or drive the car out here, I could get the swap done at my shop, and when it's done you could drive it home... We'd have to discuss it.

[E30 Cabrio]

Which variation of the M30 would be best for a swap?

I too would like to swap my engine someday, but I have just 117K on a perfectly good motor so I'm not in a big hurry to do so, and of course the cost and downtime are something that are not attractive options, especially as my Cabby is currently my only car.

It's one of those "someday" type of things and that day may never come, but it's nice to dream about it and to at least consider the options available and what would be the best option as far as cost, dependability, availability of parts, ease to work on, etc...

I'll probably never swap the motor unless it fails, but if that day does come, it would be nice to know my options.

Thanks.

[Brian D]

The M30 is one of the most trouble free, low maintenance motors you can get in my opinion, and that makes it a very attractive option. Plus if you decide to rebuild it, it's a ton cheaper than an S50 / S52 (the head is what gets you on the 24v motors).

Which is the reason I am gathering parts for a B35 swap now. I spent a lot of time debating the choices, and the M30 route has the most attractive set of compromises.

To the OP, have you talked to Terry Sayther? I don't know if they do M30 swaps, but it couldn't hurt to ask.