Considering M30 swap

[kronus]

I can get my hands on an M30B35 from an E28 (I think it's a B35, at least), maybe a 5-speed from an early 318i (should be a G265, right?) and the radiator/plumbing from the same 318i, and already have the big-guibo eta driveshaft (because I have a late, 4/87 eta). From various snippets, I have gathered that my Motronic 1.0 manual eta wiring harness will also work.

Aside from motor mount arms, does this sound like everything major I need for an M30-powered e30? I'm not sure what tranny mount I will need to use, but I've heard (from GG) that an e30 M3 mount will work.

Further annoying questions:
How's the fuel economy?
How does an M30 react to cams? Are there any out there? Any other way to easily let out the beast in the M30?
Which ECU should I use?
Is there a convenient car I can swindle headers/exhaust from that will clear the e30 frame?

[kronus]

Also I've been using this site for most of my research so far, thanks to that guy for compiling it, wherever he is.

[wildstoats]

A couple of points and some info that I have come across. Hopefully it is helpful. No e28 came with a B35. One of the easiest ways to tell which engine you are dealing with is to look at the intake manifold. The B34's had a 3.3/3.4 stamping on the side and the B35's just have a 3.5 stamped on the side. The manifold could have been swapped of course so this isn't fool-proof unless you know for a fact the engine has never been messed with.

How's the fuel economy?

The B34 in my e28 got between 28-30 mpg highway on a road trip from Bowling Green to Pittsburgh. That's with the 3.25 LSD. Not exactly your setup but that should give you an idea.

Is there a convenient car I can swindle headers/exhaust from that will clear the e30 frame?

From everything I have heard e28 headers will clear with no problems.

I'm still a noob to the m30 swap as well so I can't promise you this info is correct but this is what I have been hearing. If nothing else someone more knowledgeable will chime in and correct me. :p

P.S. - Just do the swap!

[SpecM]

I think the early 318i's came with Get 240s, not 265s.

[E30SPDFRK]

You can use the 318 tranny, it's just not as robust as the m30 tranny. Most likely the 318 transmission crossmember would work, but don't quote me on that. I think you would need the driveshaft from the 318 as well.

The 318 radiator wont work though- it is too small to properly cool the m30. You need one from either an e28 or an e24.

Use the m30 ecu.

A chip is the easiest way to get you more power.

There are cams out there, I don't know how much they do though. I know Euroshark has a lot of knowledge about them.

[Funkmasta]

I can get my hands on an M30B35 from an E28 (I think it's a B35, at least), maybe a 5-speed from an early 318i (should be a G265, right?) and the radiator/plumbing from the same 318i, and already have the big-guibo eta driveshaft (because I have a late, 4/87 eta). From various snippets, I have gathered that my Motronic 1.0 manual eta wiring harness will also work.

Aside from motor mount arms, does this sound like everything major I need for an M30-powered e30? I'm not sure what tranny mount I will need to use, but I've heard (from GG) that an e30 M3 mount will work.

Further annoying questions:
How's the fuel economy?
How does an M30 react to cams? Are there any out there? Any other way to easily let out the beast in the M30?
Which ECU should I use?
Is there a convenient car I can swindle headers/exhaust from that will clear the e30 frame?

The 318 parts are not going to suffice in the swap. The radiator is too small, the transmission is too weak. The big6 Getrag 260s are difficult to find, but it is definitely important.

Any E28 came from the factory with either a 3.3 or 3.4 M30, I would go with the 3.4 liter as it has more options further down the line. (The 3.3L is a fairly overbuilt motor from the factory, where the 3.4 is definitely detuned).

Of the manifolds I have used, the B35 manifolds seem to be easier to work with, and slightly more clearance.

[kronus]

Funk, I've read a couple threads by crazy norwegians that claim that the 318 transmission is fine. (even on a fairly built M30) As I'm not a balls-out driver normally, I don't think that tranny's weakness will be too big of an issue. I've also seen some people mention that the Getrag 280 transmission sucks... what's bad about it?

Byron, thanks, useful post. Is the M30 ECU Motronic 1.0? Can I just get an M30 chip and stick it into my M20 Motronic 1.0 ECU?

[StereoInstaller1]

Having driven Joe's M30E30, I can say that this seems to me to feel like what these cars should have come with in the first place.

[Funkmasta]

Funk, I've read a couple threads by crazy norwegians that claim that the 318 transmission is fine. (even on a fairly built M30) As I'm not a balls-out driver normally, I don't think that tranny's weakness will be too big of an issue. I've also seen some people mention that the Getrag 280 transmission sucks... what's bad about it?

Byron, thanks, useful post. Is the M30 ECU Motronic 1.0? Can I just get an M30 chip and stick it into my M20 Motronic 1.0 ECU?

Yes it will work. Yes it is designed for a 110hp 4cyl.

Just because it works, doesn't make it right.
Why would you BUILD a car that you can't absolutely romp on, whenever you wanted?

[kronus]

But... but... the crazy Norwegians did it! So did the crazy Icelanders!

I'm going to go look for the several threads where Gunni (the craziest northern european of them all) says that it's fine. I came across them yesterday while reading up on the swap, but didn't think to save links to them.

Why would you BUILD a car that you can't absolutely romp on, whenever you wanted?

Right now, I know the exact location of a 318i 5-speed. Maybe in the few months that it will take me to get this underway, I will locate something you judge more suitable. If I have a problem with the 318 tranny by then, I'll switch over. Deal?

Now, can I run a crank fan with your motor mounts?


Luke - I've heard that from several people now, and it's what gives me the confidence I have in this swap.

[StereoInstaller1]

its the damn torque monster is what gets ya

[Autobahn Sport]

But... but... the crazy Norwegians did it! So did the crazy Icelanders!

I'm going to go look for the several threads where Gunni (the craziest northern european of them all) says that it's fine. I came across them yesterday while reading up on the swap, but didn't think to save links to them.



Right now, I know the exact location of a 318i 5-speed. Maybe in the few months that it will take me to get this underway, I will locate something you judge more suitable. If I have a problem with the 318 tranny by then, I'll switch over. Deal?

Now, can I run a crank fan with your motor mounts?

The Norwegiens are DEFINITELY a crazy bunch.
Just keep in mind, that if you don't have a lift (and even if you do), swapping the trans is not something you are going to want to do twice. In order to tilt the motor enough to get to the top bolts, you will have to remove the radiator.

No matter which way you run the M30, you are pretty much stuck with an electric fan, unless you mount the radiator IN the core support...

M30powa!

[speedhop]

You could just nix this idea and buy my '89 m30 swap! :P

But really, 318 tranny is not a good idea (even if the swedes did it). You can easily source a tranny on ebay or mye28.com.

PM me with any questions since I'm in the area. Good luck with this!

[ETeurowerks]

I have a 1989 535i 5 speed that runs perfect. It would make a good donor car for an M30 transplant.

[ILoveMPower]

Get a new tranny, e28 radiator, and a chip!

Torquey, and really all mods other than the chip for the M30 are really just not worth it for the cost