Frank's E30 M60 V8 Swap Build Thread

[Jonsku]

I havent separated the 2 halves of the m60 driveshaft yet, but I think that it might slide on splines that is then tightened by the 18mm center bolt. I am disassembling both halves tomorrow, so I'll see if my suspicions are confirmed.

One more comment on this. There aren't "two halves" in M60 driveshaft, as the "variable length constant velocity joint" is the big thing in the rear..

[Garageaholic]

There are two kinds of E30 center bearings (facelift & pre-facelift). For the facelifts at least, you need to modify the center bearing a bit to make it fit.

You could also use E30 center bearing (as the driveshaft is equal diameter there).


Btw Frank, how are you going to put the driveshaft in place when you don't have anything "movable" (center thing that alters length) in there ... ? Going to be a tight fit.


Once again, as an "alternative solution", you could use the 540 front part (as the rear part of front part is equal diameter as in E30) and the rest from E30 shaft. This way you would retain the possibility to alter the length (ease installation, account for the small changes in driveline length), though still have to weak U-joints.

However, I've now done/helped in five different V8 swaps here in Finland, all with two weak U-joints and they've clocked in total around 30 000km to the clock without any problems so it's a doable solution.

I know from experience that e30 u joints are far from the weak link in the drivetrain. I've built an e30m30 turbo and I know it's good for up to 300rwhp.

That driveshaft spline is a good point you bring up and I had given it a little thought. There is some angle that can be derived from the u joint in the center, so I might be able to squeeze it in there. I havent separated the 2 halves of the m60 driveshaft yet, but I think that it might slide on splines that is then tightened by the 18mm center bolt. I am disassembling both halves tomorrow, so I'll see if my suspicions are confirmed.

If worse comes to worse, I might install my rebuilt 3.15 in at the same time so the driveshaft installation methodology would be a moot point.

I am instructing the shop to purchase a new center bearing p/n 26121226657 from the exact 540i from which it came.....because I can confirm after test fitting the center bearing that it fits in the tunnel perfectly. A new center bearing is part of the rebuilt price...I just need to inform them which one I need installed

[Jonsku]

Frank, Is the 540i center bearing bolt on in the E30 chassis? or do you have to customize that...

There are two kinds of E30 center bearings (facelift & pre-facelift). For the facelifts at least, you need to modify the center bearing a bit to make it fit.

You could also use E30 center bearing (as the driveshaft is equal diameter there).


Btw Frank, how are you going to put the driveshaft in place when you don't have anything "movable" (center thing that alters length) in there ... ? Going to be a tight fit.


Once again, as an "alternative solution", you could use the 540 front part (as the rear part of front part is equal diameter as in E30) and the rest from E30 shaft. This way you would retain the possibility to alter the length (ease installation, account for the small changes in driveline length), though still have to weak U-joints.

However, I've now done/helped in five different V8 swaps here in Finland, all with two weak U-joints and they've clocked in total around 30 000km to the clock without any problems so it's a doable solution.

[Denny]

Frank, Is the 540i center bearing bolt on in the E30 chassis? or do you have to customize that...

Cool thing is Atlanta will now be able to replicate them for others too... thanks for paving the way for the rest :)

[iamsam]

I went to alot of places. Only a very small handful deal with the 2 piece BMW driveshafts.

In that small handful, they charged the same amount, but i chose driveling service shop of Atlanta due to their customer service and ability to do exactly what i needed.

$600 is what it is.

you get what you pay for though, you prob have one badass driveshaft, and now you can do 6-speed, which is cooler than 5-speed.

anyway, I am eagerly awaiting more updates, and maybe by spring break I will start my own M60 swap thread (into my E28 ).

[battlecattle]

I went to alot of places. Only a very small handful deal with the 2 piece BMW driveshafts.

In that small handful, they charged the same amount, but i chose driveling service shop of Atlanta due to their customer service and ability to do exactly what i needed.

$600 is what it is.

There are many ways to skin a cat. Just offering exactly what was done to my M60 e30.

[Garageaholic]

I went to alot of places. Only a very small handful deal with the 2 piece BMW driveshafts.

In that small handful, they charged the same amount, but i chose driveling service shop of Atlanta due to their customer service and ability to do exactly what i needed.

$600 is what it is.

[battlecattle]

Just tossing this out there. My driveshaft was done at Driveline Service of Portland, Inc. Custom driveshaft $490 + core $75 = $565.

I have loads of receipts on most of my car too incase you need anything specific I and can and look it up.

-Josh

[iamsam]

$600 !?!?!

I thought USA would be cheap in all that kind of stuff... :-O
Here the cost is around $300 (shortened and balanced shaft with all new parts)..

probably depends on where you go get it done. I bet you can get a Mexican to do it for $150, and they do some pretty good work sometimes.

[Jonsku]

600 for a rebuilt and shortened at both ends.

$600 !?!?!

I thought USA would be cheap in all that kind of stuff... :-O
Here the cost is around $300 (shortened and balanced shaft with all new parts)..

[iamsam]

That makes me happy that the 5-speed needs no custom shaft. I got the trans for $150, and being a cheap ass, I would rather that than buy a 6-speed for however much they go for these days and then make a custom shaft.

Also, I can get my 6-speed fix in my wife's E39 540i/6 if need be.

[JGood]

Oh, I completely agree, I just wanted to make sure he knew the 5 spd didn't require expensive driveshaft work.

I sure hope so man. If all I had to do was finish up the engine swap, I'd say I could be done by the end of March. Unfortunately that's only about 1/3 of what I have to do yet until the car is on the road. It's a bare, unpainted shell on jackstands right now...

[Garageaholic]

A 5 spd is definitely cheaper, no argument there. But in my Mind there's something about having a 6 spd. I already had it. I might as well.

Justin, you think you can make it to bimmerfest east with that hog? I agree. We have some nice diversity.

[JGood]

Looks like you're off to a nice start. Can't wait to have a couple e30 M60's in the area this summer. Looks like we're all doing things pretty differently too, for some nice variety!

holy balls well I have the 5-speed ZF so maybe I can find a combination of stock driveshafts that will work.

The ZF 5 speed bolts right in. You use a stock, large guibo driveshaft (late 325e, e30 M3, or e36 328/M3 with 4 bolt rear). I just verified this on my m60/zf combo, with a 328 shaft. Fits perfect.

[iamsam]

600 for a rebuilt and shortened at both ends.

holy balls well I have the 5-speed ZF so maybe I can find a combination of stock driveshafts that will work.