8) Hey everyone I am planning to add another e 30 ix to the garage and I would really like to do a mid 90's m3 or just m3 engine swap for more power and fun!!!! (basically an all wheel drive m3)... Could anyone tell me how possible this is to complete with the all wheel drive system. My car is a Manuel Trans I would probably need to buy a new Trans which have been used with this type of engine? Also would it be possible to do this while keeping all the on board computer functions intact with the new ECU? ANY INFO IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!! I have the shop and all necessary experience to do something like this I am just wondering if it has been done and how possible it is. also if anyone has any sites that deal with such things please post them thank you!!!... This is gonna be nice when its done!!
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325ix's have unique M20 blocks and Getrag 260 transmissions because of all the AWD components. You can't drop an M50/S50 into an 'ix like you can the RWD E30s. I'm sure anything is possible, but there would have to be a ridiculous amount of customization to pull off an engine swap like this in an 'ix.
You can always turbo the M20 already in the car. And then have fun when twice as many driveline components fail as compared to a regular, RWD 325i. -
Ha - e30.de has a guy that totally hacked a m30 into a IX and keep the 4wheel drive....
Horrid install...but interesting...
...Originally posted by Matt-BComment
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^^ if read the guy blew his Transaxle lke 3times. same with the guy that did with a s50 motor.Comment
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Re: engine conversion on ix
It Ain't gonna happen period!Originally posted by k69camaroz28
Options:
1) turbo m20
2) Stroker m20
3) m50 from 525ix
good luck though and sell it to me when your done!E30 325ix 62kComment
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Re: engine conversion on ix
It can be done, with time, welding skills and a shopOriginally posted by kansas-ix
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an M50 swap is feasable, but it's not very likely that you will be able to do it. I know of ONE car in europe that has an S50, but parts over there are far cheaper.
he also breaks stuff often! the weakest point is probably the front driveshaft with it's mickey mouse 1mmx1mm splines, or the front half shafts (especially if your car is lowered). the transfercase is robust if you maintain it, but on an older ix that's not too likely. it costs around $1k to rebuild one btw.
you would need a custom oil pan ($$$$ welding aluminum is $$$$), custom motor mounts, custom exhaust, and who knows what else (brake booster?).
the oil pan is the clincher. Remember that the front differential is bolted to the oil pan (as on every awd BMW). I have pictures of one modified from the rear of an ix oil pan and the front of an E36 oil pan if you want them. but after you spend a ton of money doing that, you could just turbo a stock rebuilt motor and have a faster car to begin with.
I'd do it for sure with unlimited funds, but it's just not realistic. maybe in 10 years. ;)Comment
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oh, I also looked into swapping the M50/tranny/diff from the E34 525ix. unfortunately all the parts are unique, although I'm sure you could make them work. the only deal is getting one would be about as costly as modifying the ix drivetrain to support a standard M50. so unless you have a good buddy in europe..Comment
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Yup would love to have an m50 in there with my extra oil pan and motor I may have to make this a project for next year, nah I would just buy an used WRX. But I would like to see pic of one done.E30 325ix 62kComment
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hahahahahahahahahaOriginally posted by kansas-ix
that was quite a glorious train of thought which added so much to this thread :PComment
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Yeah I suck :D but I would like to see some pics of the m50 in the ix if anyone knows where to find theseE30 325ix 62kComment
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I can't remember where I saw it, I'll look. I'll post my oil pan pics later today too.Comment
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i've contacted a guy that has an s50 in his ix on several occasions. If anyone is truly interested i will provide them with his email. He is pretty helpful. I thought about doing this at one point but decided against it because of custom work and weight. A 3.0 m20 will have to do the trick.
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kept forgetting to post these, but here's the pics of that oilpan:
it's basically the rear half of the ix oilpan and the front half of an E36 oil pan welded together. it would probably cost a bit of money to have it welded, I saw somewhere that oil soaked aluminum was around $50 an inch.. you could probably get it done cheaper though. I think a cost of $200-$300 for the custom oil pan wouldn't be too bad.Comment
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you couldnt just clean it..?
if you "cant" clean it, i wasnt aware that oil would soak into a metal.
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