huge question for a new bmw person

[beatup86]

the reason he couldn't see it through is cause he is moving to a different state and cant take things with him, he is taking he Yukon and his other e30, and his wifes e36. he cant take all the cars or projects with him. and thank you for your opinion, despite it being off in left field (my own opinion) you sir are entitled to it. but being that I don't have a car right now I think I have no choice but to take this deal and do it all up.

[NoM54me]

To the OP... you can't swap the head from the M52 onto the M20. Way different engine. I would take the whole deal, quickly fix the M20 head (what's wrong with it, BTW?), then slowly rebuild the M52 the right way. Time and money are all you need! Also...what goldenbb said is spot on, too many good e30's get ruined because some complete anus wants an engine swap, and can't get it to run right, ever. Embrace the M20....

[dereliiict]

The lamest excuse for getting rid of a project car ever! If a BMW mechanic couldn't see it through, you need to ask yourself whether you will either. There's tons of nice cars out there. With used E30s, you get what you pay for.

Also, does any swap project ever result in a reliable car, ever? I see tons of them for sale. The guy gets the swap done and achieved this huge milestone in his life but the damn car won't run right so it gets sold to the next sucker. Always some predictably lame excuse in the ad. They do the swap and three months later the car is for sale.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

[matthugie]

Also, does any swap project ever result in a reliable car, ever? I see tons of them for sale.

Uh, yeah, there are a shit ton of them.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=300793

[MR E30 325is]

Uh, my swapped E30 has been my DD for 5 years now, and it has never left me stranded.

To the OP, if you can find someone who lives near you who has some E30 knowledge, talk to them about helping out on weekends or whatnot.

Also, research the 24v DOHC thread for days. Lots of info out there and none of it is overly complicated. Write things down as you learn about them and go from there.

Also, I second the decision to rock the auto until you swap the M52 in.

[beatup86]

yea that's what im gunna end up doing lol, I just cant stand autos. I haven't driven one but a handful of times in like 15 years lol. I got some e36 guys to help me, a couple buddys are machinists, and some master welders at my disposal, so I got the help dept on lock. and I just found out im getting two 5 speed trannys with this "bundle", man I really hate autos tho lol

[beatup86]

to nom54me
I wasn't talking about putting the m52 head on the m20 I know that wouldn't fit. I was saying is the getrag 250 able to be put on the m20, so I could tackle the 5 speed swap before hand (while im building the m52).

[Swanny]

Just listen to the people with more than 200 posts. If you don't accept it then you'll forever regret not taking the best deal you're ever going to see. Free means nothing to lose.

Final thought: Just drive it as an auto as motivation to rebuild the m52.