Preparing for my m30 swap.. Help me choose the best combo

[BoostMW]

nice engine choice, should be a haus, Is that josh's old motor from the euro e28

[E30SPDFRK]

No, it's the crossmember from an e24 (stock e30 g260 crossmember does not work with the g265) You can use your stock e30 transmission rubber mounts with this setup!

I think they used this same bracket in the manual e28's too.

All manual e28's?

If so, I have one from my 88 that I would let go for cheap.

[Doughnut]

All manual e28's?

If so, I have one from my 88 that I would let go for cheap.

I can't verify, but I'm pritty sure.

[JoeMadoo]

I have a 179 ecu if need it.

[Jb325is]

Figured I'd bump this instead of starting a new thread.. Getting close to pulling the drivetrain out of the black car and prepping it for the e30. I'm debating what to do about transmissions though, I can get the 265 out of the e24 or I can look for another 260/6. I guess the 260/6 is close to plug n play, right? Shouldn't it bolt up with e30 trans crossmember and e30/e34 driveshaft? I'd rather run the 265 because it's available, but the 260 seems easier. The motor going in the car is going to be the b35 based 3.6L, probably going to go with good n tight's mounts.

[Doughnut]

Like I've said in other threads, the g265 is alittle less "plug and play" than the g260 (g265 requires modified shifter, tailshaft etc..) - however it is a bloody good gearbox to drive and the removable bellhousing just makes things easier to work on in the future.

If you get your g265 from the e24 be sure to get the crossmember aswell - if you look back in this thread to post #9 you can see how cake it is to modify!

[Jb325is]

Like I've said in other threads, the g265 is alittle less "plug and play" than the g260 (g265 requires modified shifter, tailshaft etc..) - however it is a bloody good gearbox to drive and the removable bellhousing just makes things easier to work on in the future.

If you get your g265 from the e24 be sure to get the crossmember aswell - if you look back in this thread to post #9 you can see how cake it is to modify!

Yeah the crossmember looks easy, not too worried about that. Can you elaborate on the shifter and tailshaft modifications? IIRC, the 265 uses more of a shift "plate" instead of an arm, is this correct? Also, what about the driveshaft? Can I still use the '87 eta driveshaft?

[Erick]

This looks like it's going to be fun :D

[Doughnut]

Yeah the crossmember looks easy, not too worried about that. Can you elaborate on the shifter and tailshaft modifications? IIRC, the 265 uses more of a shift "plate" instead of an arm, is this correct? Also, what about the driveshaft? Can I still use the '87 eta driveshaft?

Yes you can use the m3 transmission crossmember.

I used a e24 635csi crossmember and slightly modified it.
I'm using a early plate style shifter that I've shortened:


My drive shaft is the original e30 one which has had the front half shortened and had the larger guibo flange welded on.

Basically the g265, as a good a gearbox as it is, is a little less plug and play IMO.

Shortened and a plate welded to front of plate:


Shortened and a plate welded on rear of plate with round bar for support to e30 chassis:


Underneath plate detail:


My engine mount brackets are my own design.

If you choose to go down this path and you are using funks, e30.de, good and tights brackets etc it will vary in length. Joseph.

The tail shaft I have is the original e30 one shortened, with the large donut flange welded on.

[wildstoats]

Figured I'd bump this instead of starting a new thread.. Getting close to pulling the drivetrain out of the black car and prepping it for the e30. I'm debating what to do about transmissions though, I can get the 265 out of the e24 or I can look for another 260/6. I guess the 260/6 is close to plug n play, right? Shouldn't it bolt up with e30 trans crossmember and e30/e34 driveshaft? I'd rather run the 265 because it's available, but the 260 seems easier. The motor going in the car is going to be the b35 based 3.6L, probably going to go with good n tight's mounts.

I think this has been said before but if you go with the g265 the e30 m3 transmission bracket will work. I just did this on my car. As far as driveshaft is concerned I'm still not 100% sure what will work. I'm not to that point yet. (Hopefully will be soon here). I'm not sure if G&T's brackets put the engine in the same place as Funk's brackets but if so then the "large guibo" 325e shaft should work. I have one that I might be selling if it doesn't work with my setup (shameless plug, I know!). Either way good luck!

[Jb325is]

I think this has been said before but if you go with the g265 the e30 m3 transmission bracket will work. I just did this on my car. As far as driveshaft is concerned I'm still not 100% sure what will work. I'm not to that point yet. (Hopefully will be soon here). I'm not sure if G&T's brackets put the engine in the same place as Funk's brackets but if so then the "large guibo" 325e shaft should work. I have one that I might be selling if it doesn't work with my setup (shameless plug, I know!). Either way good luck!

Hmm.. alright, well let me know what works for you! Thanks for all the info in this thread so far. The transmission thing has really got me thinking, after autocrossing the e30 for the first time this weekend I'm tempted to just rob the whole drivetrain from the e34 and part the rest of it out, that way I wouldn't have to buy another ecu, clutch kit, e12 flywheel or 260/6..

What about headers? I've got a set of stahl long tubes off of the e24 (which is e12 based btw), any chance these might work?