M62B44 1991 318is Swap

[CMart]

540i mounts don't work for me.

I do have some good news to report, after some gentle 'massaging' of the tunnel and fun with the welder, the motor is finally sitting where it will live. Angle seems fine for the drivetrain as well.

Now I can measure the new driveshaft and start working on brake options. I do have 2 full e34 540i headlight mounted brake booster setups, but I think there is a better way then cutting into the frame. Updates to come.

[Denny]

In this picture your motor mounts bolts should both be pointing towards the firewall... that is your problem right there

[Denny]

i thought the 6 speed needed a custom trans mount.

scroll down in this link to find it: (6 speed transmission extention brackets)

http://store.garagistic.com/ocart/m60-m62-e30-motor-mounts

and post #75 here:
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...=310389&page=2

Yep you are correct. Cmart look in my thread I have built extension from Garagistic. If the tranny is touching the tunnel then I think your motor is not sitting straight... because trust me my 6 speed does not touch anywhere its close.. but not touching and sits parallel. I did have to shim the motor mounts so the oil pan doesnt touch the steering rack...but thats it.

^^^This is correct. I believe you also need to massage the transmission tunnel a bit to allow the 6 speed to fit.

no massage needed for the 6 speed... modifications to the tunnel are for the Automatic transmission.

[P Arkus]

^^^This is correct. I believe you also need to massage the transmission tunnel a bit to allow the 6 speed to fit.

[straight6pwr]

i thought the 6 speed needed a custom trans mount.

scroll down in this link to find it: (6 speed transmission extention brackets)

http://store.garagistic.com/ocart/m60-m62-e30-motor-mounts

and post #75 here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=310389&page=2

[CMart]

I don't know if these pictures help, but the top of the trans is hitting the tunnel and the trans mount (not welded yet) would just press it up harder if I bolted it up. Only thing I can think at this point is I need to wide the tunnel or I have the wrong rubber trans mounts.

[CMart]

My motor is sitting fine both height and depth, but the trans is touching the tunnel. Not the bellhousing behind it. I am not able to attach the trans mount because the trans is hitting the tunnel.

[Denny]

Tight fit for 6 speed but all ok for me.... my problems is that I had to shim the front engine mounts.. especially the passenger side. It was touching the steering rack...i should of modified the tabs on the front subframe before installing engine..

Also the alternator was touching the frame..had to grind down some material on the alternator.. all good now.. thats a big ass engine lollll

[CMart]

Also do you need to do any tunnel 'massaging' for the 6 speed?

[CMart]

Definitely looks like I have to shorten the two shifter pieces. Has anyone measured this before to save me from eyeing it?

[CMart]

So I got my engine and trans back together and they made their way into the E30 for the first time.

I know that the 6 speed is longer than the 5 and you need to shorter the driveshaft, but the shifter won't fit in the hole in the E30 chassis. This makes sense, but I hadn't read that anywhere.

Do I need to buy a new shift fork setup or am I doing something wrong?

[CMart]

[CMart]

Nothing too crazy on the E30 progress wise.

I did get the 540 out of my garage, which is really helping with space. Picking up a bunch of tools I will need to get everything fabricated (band saw, welder, grinder, vice) and a new snap on toolbox I am excited about.

Radiator support is almost out.

Basically just getting ready to get everything ready to weld then on to wiring/plumbing.

[Denny]

cool man :) lets do this... for me soon as I get my M5 clutch it opens the door for a lot of stuff for me too. ...but with Xmas holidays..etc.. i see January-February as a BIG month of work.

[CMart]

I ended up getting the diesel mounts and it is sitting perfectly.

Definitely sparked some inspiration for me since it opened the door for 50 more things I can do now. I thought I was done for the winter but I'm going to keep working so I can drive this thing in the spring not just work on it.