V8 it is

[JGood]

Whether you do the swap in the UK or not, what you *CAN* get in the UK is a diesel diff compatible with the E30. The V8 5 speed is a non-overdrive transmission. You'll want the tallest diff you can find... I think BMW made them up to 2.35 ratio. The 325e 2.79 ratio is the shortest you'll ever want to go.

Eh, it's personal preference.

I had a 3.25 LSD in my 5 speed m60 e30. Only reason I swapped it out for a 2.93 the other week is because I drive 80 miles/day on the highway and I wanted a little better MPG. If I was just using the car as a weekend toy I'd definitely still have the 3.25.

[nando]

with a 2.35 you may as well do a 3-speed trans. :p

[The Dark Side of Will]

But I wanted the 5spd over the 6spd so I can use the 328 propshaft for the swap and have all the bits and pieces I'm sure are easier to come by with a donor car.

Whether you do the swap in the UK or not, what you *CAN* get in the UK is a diesel diff compatible with the E30. The V8 5 speed is a non-overdrive transmission. You'll want the tallest diff you can find... I think BMW made them up to 2.35 ratio. The 325e 2.79 ratio is the shortest you'll ever want to go.

[MonkeyMan]

I would do the unselfish thing and sell off one of your cars to someone who will take care of and appreciate it.. there should be plenty of crashed donor cars with good engines that would satisfy your urge to tear something apart..
I know what the military life is like - sometimes it feels like you have money burning a hole in your pocket because your room and meals are paid for and you don't spend very much dough day to day, but believe me, it's the perfect opportunity to save up for something you can truly appreciate later...

my .02

[chadthestampede]

The speed of a 525 with the mileage of a 540.

[Meighty7]

Yeah, That car is too nice to part out plus it's the wrong engine to do it with.

Junkyards are plentiful of 740i's with blown autos. Take the engine for three then find an e34/32 to get the booster stuff and 5speed. More work but it's worth it to keep the 53oi as a daily.

I was planning on using everything but the motor; I leave here in less than a year an was trying to take advantage of being in the UK assuming the swap would be easier here.

I dare you to post this in the 5 series forum with pics of that super clean E34 and your plans to tear it apart

I looked through the 5 series portion on r3v and it just made me more unsure of what to do.

Im in the military so when I leave the UK I can only take one car w/o having to pay to ship it. A RHD e30 with a BMW V8 would be awesome to take back but tearing apart such a clean e34 to accomplish it has me stuck now. Crap

[MonkeyMan]

I dare you to post this in the 5 series forum with pics of that super clean E34 and your plans to tear it apart

[Vtec?lol]

Yeah, That car is too nice to part out plus it's the wrong engine to do it with.

Junkyards are plentiful of 740i's with blown autos. Take the engine for three then find an e34/32 to get the booster stuff and 5speed. More work but it's worth it to keep the 53oi as a daily.

[Meighty7]

Thats too nice of a e34 to part out. Why not sell it and get what you really want.

It is a really nice car, my friends asked me the same thing... I want to V8 swap an e30 and I couldnt sell this to achieve that. I am considering trying to source parts from somewhere else though because the car is in such good condition.

[bmw325csi]

Thats too nice of a e34 to part out. Why not sell it and get what you really want.

[kevinbednarek]

tell me about it, i have a m60b30 full engine with tranny, m62b44 full engine and m60b40 heads... i try not to think how much i've spent sometimes

I definitely agree with this. It's costly, but the performance helps balance it out. I was going to go the b30 route, but a v8 swap is a hell of a lot of work. Best go big if you're gonna put in the effort.

[Meighty7]

Don't get a 530 unless its just for the trans/ engine harness. Hold out for a decent B40.

Lol I knew someone was going to say that. Well lol thats what I picked up but it's clean and well taken care of. I got it since it was clean and I need a dd for now. I've been trying to do some reserch before I start asking questions that have already been answered. But I wanted the 5spd over the 6spd so I can use the 328 propshaft for the swap and have all the bits and pieces I'm sure are easier to come by with a donor car.

i agree if you want the extra horses ;)

Still looking for a 4.0L but for now I'm on a high because I've been looking for a trans or donor car for a bit now:D

please, please PLEASE don't swap a V8 3.0L engine. So much work for such little gain.

I've looked up the numbers and I know why everyone says that so I've got my eye out for a 4.0L. Hoping to find one soon.

Thanks for all the input. This forum is way more helpful and friendlier than others I'm a member on. I'm ready to do this swap even though I know it will present some obstacles like anytime you have a car as a hobby. Pics of the donor:

[robiniscool]

tell me about it, i have a m60b30 full engine with tranny, m62b44 full engine and m60b40 heads... i try not to think how much i've spent sometimes

[Vtec?lol]

Oh boy....
B40 blocks are going for $500 these days.

[Garageaholic]

please, please PLEASE don't swap a V8 3.0L engine. So much work for such little gain.