The first of two M30 swaps for the fall of '08

[euroshark]

**E24 Content**

The time has finally come to get my 635CSi sorted. I have owned this one since May of 2007 and barely logged 1000 miles because of various issues, mostly related to a non-functional speedometer, funky brakes, a horribly choked up federalized exhaust system that made the engine essentially stop revving at about 5000rpm, and bad valve guide seals that cause it to blow smoke pretty much all the time. Pluses for this car are the Getrag 262 Dogleg gearbox and lack of sunroof. I have been collecting parts over the spring and summer so it's time to get to work!

I needed some brakes... badly. Got a killer deal on a good pair of 750il calipers and close-out Tar-Ox J-Sport rotors. Insane stopping stopping power. Apparently this combo produces nearly the same amount of torque as the 4 piston Brembo setup used on the late E34 M5s and 850CSis but for a fraction of the cost.



Next I swapped out the entire front half of the chassis wiring harness along with a good fuse box from an '85 635. Not a project for the feint of heart.



Fast forward to now. The crazy ass EGR setup, plugged exhaust, and smokey engine gotta go. Don't worry, the Euro spec B34 will be seeing duty elsewhere (in my 535is).



I scored a killer deal on two E24 parts cars here in Colorado. One was a complete '89 635CSi Highline that had some work done at Dinan in 1991. In addition to an incredibly well running M30B35 with a Dinan chip, the car also had a set of 16x8 and 16x9 BBS RSs and Dinan modified front and rear subframes (the rear has eccentric adjusters on the inner trailing arm mounts). The B35 will be exhaling through a pretty set of headers and an IE catback. It's filthy here but it will be nice and clean before it's installed.



So here we are today. Coolant is draining as we speak, and the old B34 should be coming out tomorrow or the next day. I thought about painting the engine bay while it's empty, but I still can't decide on a color, so I guess it will all be coming out again at some point!



I realize there is really nothing incredibly relevant to the E30 community here, but I know some of you guys appreciate the 6 series ;)

[dude8383]

Sick project man. Do you have any more pics of the car?

[Doughnut]

I'm personally a sucker for the e24's, always have been. I sourced a tailshaft, flywheel, (associated clutch kit) manual G265 gearbox and a starter motor from a e24 635Csi for my m30 swap into my e30.

My e30 is now essentially 35% e24, and love it!!

Hey euroshark, whats with the plug just above "3.2" on the e24's m30?

[euroshark]

I'm not really sure what that thing is... It's phenolic and it seems to be epoxied in place with no clue as to what may have plugged into it at some point.

This car was absolutely bastardized by the company that federalized it though... Wiring hacks, air pump, egr, incredibly choked up exhaust (I'll post pictures once it's out), etc. I am going to undo each and every one of those evils and make this car better than new!

Here are really the only flattering shots I have of the car so far... Both from about a year ago right after I sold my 533i to a friend. It's sitting on H&Rs and 16x8 Style 5s in these shots. The rear bumper is hanging funny too... Still working on getting it straight.

[Doughnut]

What do you mean by the car was "federalized?"

[george graves]

During the civil war....Oh wait....

It's when a car from another country enters America, for it to be road legal, you must convert it to US safety and emission specs. Some of the things changed are SMOG equipment, headlights, bumpers, side marker, door re-enforcements, ect...

[euroshark]

Yep. They federalized the shit out of this one.

Update! I just weighed all of the crap I ripped out of the front of the car today. EGR tubes, air pump and plumbing, and AC related parts came in at about 85lbs. I'm relocating the battery to the trunk and eliminating the ABS system as well. Getting closer to 50/50! The euro cars were rated at 3225lbs, though nothing specifies if that is with or without the sunroof, but since this car is basically bare with no special options, I'm optimistic that it will be on the lighter end of the E24 spectrum. :pimp:

[Jean]

Your shark is stunning looking

[oldskool3]

I loved your car. Euro sharks are awesome!! I say either go schwartz or keep the colour original

[euroshark]

Thanks man. I hate to say it, but I do kinda like the color in some light. It's unique... I'm thinking about the possibility of another rare BMW color like Zobelbraun or Achatgrun. Or the good old standby, Alpine White. If I go white I will absolutely have to do the factory deco set, probably in anthracite or silver.





Achatgrun is impressive in person, but I'm not necessarily confident enough in my painting abilities to try metallics yet.

[oldskool3]

Thanks man. I hate to say it, but I do kinda like the color in some light. It's unique... I'm thinking about the possibility of another rare BMW color like Zobelbraun or Achatgrun. Or the good old standby, Alpine White. If I go white I will absolutely have to do the factory deco set, probably in anthracite or silver.


Achatgrun is impressive in person, but I'm not necessarily confident enough in my painting abilities to try metallics yet.

I think the reason I like it is because it is so unique just a little crazy to be matched with your cardinal? interior. Zobelbraun or Achatgrun would look awesome as well (sorry not a big fan of whites) either way after you get everything ironed out I see a TCD kit in your future. Your e24 makes me want a euro shark soo bad!!

edit: just noticed that euro shark is your name and wanted to clarify I meant an e24 ;)

[euroshark]

A TCD kit is most likely in this cars future, looks like we are on the same page! :pimp:

Whites can be boring, but when you pull it off it looks really good. I think the RSs might be a key player in pulling it off if I go that way, but I have been steering away from white lately... Time will tell I guess!

If you can find a euro E24 I'd suggest buying it before prices sky rocket. They have been rising steadily over the past few years, and I am predicting an E9-esque breakthrough into the collectors market in the next 5 years or so.

[oldskool3]

I can see it for sure An e9 is another bimmer id love to have. I have been looking off an on for e24's but they are super rare in my area unless they are super pricey or super beat down. TCD kit is definetly the way to go my brother is just finshing up the last bit of his install/ tuning on his e34. Even untuned he said it is stupid fast.

[Funkmasta]

rock on

[euroshark]

Not a super exciting update... that should come this weekend. Got the bulk of disassembly done. The engine should come out tomorrow, then comes massive de-greasing and scrubbing. Once everything is cleaner I'll be swapping in all of the braking components from the '89 since it's all minty fresh and pretty. After that there will be all new fuel hoses, PS hoses, some wiring harness love, and euro oil cooler installation (this car is a euro model but doesn't have one... very odd...).

This thing is a nasty, greasy mess! Honestly, it surprises me even more than my '87 535is did when I got it. That car was pretty dirty and neglected under the hood (and pretty much everywhere else), but this 6 is freakin' GROSS. Never again, my precious. lol. Where's my beer...

Oh yeah, I ended up removing damn near 50lbs from the front, and I'm moving the 45lb battery to the trunk, so I should be getting mighty close to 50/50 by the end of this project. That makes me pretty happy.







Mmm... B35 in the background. I can almost taste it.

BTW, this is not the beer talking, I fucking hate gold.