Frank's E30 M60 V8 Swap Build Thread

[F34R]

Nice engine mounts Frank, wonder where you got that idea from ;)

Still awaiting a ride in this beast!

[iamsam]

^^ bad ass. I'll have to spring for a set of those motor mounts. Make sure to report on any increase in NVH.

[Garageaholic]

Just finished installing some new bushings courtesy of RevShift!

M60 Guibo comparisons


M60 Motor Mounts compared to stock:

[Garageaholic]

I think I got it covered. I'll make it worth y'all time. Be patient.

[iamsam]

This makes me happy. Now did you want some lessons on how to record video with a common digital camera?

;)

[Garageaholic]

Let's not say "spin". haha. I get them to chirp pretty nicely with my 225/45/16 BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW-2 tires.

[Jean]

Very nice! I like how your car looks basically stock, minus the 340 badge :)

What size/model tires are you running that it spins 3rd? I wonder how usable 225/235 size would be in 1-3 gears under hard acceleration.

[Garageaholic]

The car feels amazing. Weight distribution in the turns is very close to stock. Then again, I have the engine as far back as possible, just about touching the firewall.

The acceleration is amazing and can burn rubber in 3rd gear. Once you get this thing in the power band, it has unstoppable acceleration. I have a 6spd, so I have a slightly taller gear than say, JGood has. ( I have 3.15).

I have yet to drive it with my latest upgrades. That will come this weekend, as will final pics and videos.

[fronton]

Nice work. How does the weight distribution feel? More importantly, does it accelerate as quickly as you hoped?

[dude8383]

Yeah, I'm going to work to get a couple videos and final pics this weekend.

Patiently waiting :mrgreen:

[Garageaholic]

Yeah, I'm going to work to get a couple videos and final pics this weekend.

[Garageaholic]

Here are the springs I decided to use. E30 M3 springs. I know they're relatively soft, but I wanted a comfortable ride and that's exactly what I got.



Engine in bay. I used a SPAL 16" pusher fan for the condenser. I also have a 16 low profile puller fan behind the radiator in lieu of a clutch fan.






Some exhaust pics. Here is the passenger header with wrap. Those suckers smoked for about 30 minutes after the engine got to temp for the first time. It all burned off though.












Some suspension shots:
Rear with the e30.de 540i E30 Brake retrofit kit (300mm.de).


Front:






Some outside shots of the car:




Suspension settled out after some driving







Some interior shots:











Final Engine Bay shots. I etched out some of the shock tower.


Some extra random shots:


So After the 800 miles of driving, I decided to overhaul the car a bit. I removed the exhaust to brush it down and give it a hi-temp paint to clean it up and prevent as much rust as possible. Some of the other issues I had were:

1. Steering Binding - Replace with '95 M3 Rack
2. Radio crapped out - Replaced
3. O2 Sensor code - Replaced
4. Exhaust System refresh - Welded small holes & painted
5. Interior Light Bulb Replace
6. Update all drivetrain bushings to poly - Done
7. Roll rear fenders - Rolled.

Some updated pics from this past weekend:

[iamsam]

so you complete your swap, you drive it around, you don't post a video, and then your next post is about how you pulled the engine back out again?

[Garageaholic]

Ok guys. Many of you hate me, so hopefully I can turn you around. Here's an update. I actually finished this car in June, put 800 miles on it, and now it's on jack stands getting a tune up!

Some of my quality welding work on the chassis to accompany the M60 540i radiator.









Some pics of the car in the garage in May





Meow it's time to paint the engine bay, so I went to paintscratch.com, bought some cans of primer, paint, cc and went to town....











Primed:


The final product painted:





Painted the AZEV A wheels:

[iamsam]

alright guys. I'm 100% done with the swap now,... Will post videos and updated pics soon!

this gives me a tingly sensation.

Give a man some time to live his life!

No. take a damn video already.