huge question for a new bmw person

[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.

[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).

[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

[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.

[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

[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.

[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....

[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.

[goldenbb]

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.

[SterlingMetE30]

There's tons of reading out there. Go into the 24 valve swap section and read for three weeks. Take the free car and the trans and motor.

Get a used head and timing belt for the m20. Drive it like that for a while, while you gather the swap parts.

And welcome to e30.

^ what this guy said. Worry about the 5 speed once you swap the m52 in. I am new here too just get the free car running. Enjoy it as an auto, and swap to the 24v /5spd when you source all the parts and can afford it.

[beatup86]

I understand what you guys are saying. But let's face it. It's gonna take me a bit to save for the proper parts to rebuild it. That's why I was asking about swapping the 5 speed in it in the mean time.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[MR 325]

Do a lot of reading in the 24v swap section.

If the M52 is burning oil you'll probably want to rebuild it. Considering the car and engine are free it would definitely be worth doing.

The E36 trans will technically bolt to the M20 engine but everything is so different it's not worth doing.

[matthugie]

It's a valid answer because, from any standpoint, the deal is favorable. Accept it and deal with the rest later. Hell, you could easily resell for a profit.

[beatup86]

how is that even a valid answer? the reason I ask is cause with the info ive read (dohc wiki) you can use the stock 5 speed tranny on the m52, so why couldn't it be the other way around?

[matthugie]

Unless you're retarded, accept.