M30 progress - UPDATE 3

[kylebes1]

The m30 weighs 315 lbs, where as the Euro s50 weighs in at 333lbs, I cannot really figure out what makes everyone, including me at first, think that engine is so much heavier. Maybe the Trans weighs alot but for the strenght adn potential with a turbo I regret the m50, adn the m30 would cost half as much.

What is up with everyone paying hundreds of dollars for shortened and balanced shafts? There are three places here that do Semi truck shafts everyday that quoted me 75 bucks to shorten and balance mine, thankfully I did not have to though.

BTW if anyone out there wants to ship me thier DS in two peices I would be happy to take it and have it shortened and balanced for you. I am sure shipping for a 35 inch box that weighs probably 20 lbs would not be more than 50 dollars.

[Digitalwave]

M50 has excellent turbo potential. There sure are a lot more turbo M50's out there than M30's, so the info is abundant.

How much does an M20 weigh?

[kylebes1]

There are a lot of turbo m50 engines out there, but the large size of the m30, hell with a euro crank you can get 3.8 liters, you will have that extra potential, but I will build on what I got ;)


The m20 weighs 258 lbs
The m10 weigs 180lbs!!
The m42 weighs in at 220lbs

The m50 actually weighs 299lbs, but all is well.

[kylebes1]

Also, though it is not in highest reguard with tuners and power hungry freaks, the m60 (4 liter V8) weighs 321lbs.



This is the only one you should worry about though; it weighs in at a staggering 587 lbs!

[Digitalwave]

Well, that is a 57lb. difference between the M20 and M30 then. That is not a difference that a CF hood could make up. And I am sure those weights are not with the A/C components factored in so dropping the A/C doesn't count.

[rs4pro3]

the m30 short block weighs right around 100lb more then an m20 short block. Last time I was in the dealer the main parts guy looked it upa s he was asking me what I was going to do about springs. That figure is right out of the ETK, as it shows the weight of the short block when they order one. Goerge I'd do the e30 harness, like I said mine was not hard at all. If it dosn't work then you no worse off then you began.
The Way I look at the m30 versus M50 swap is the M50 swap is easier, but more coslty(depending). Where as the M30 is for some one who isn't afraid to get there hands dirty. I'ts no where near drop in as almost every system needs modified in someway or another.
With my swap I'm going to run full options, AC, cruise the works. This is how the Alpina B6 3.5 was.

[Chris E30 Cab]

Looks very nice.....get it done & enjoy that torque :)

[1985bmw325e]

keep us posted on how u plan to pass emission laws in California

i've always wondered about an m30 swap in california and how it will pass.



never thought it was really a concern tho until my friend who does have an e30 as well recently did an m30 swap and it took him many times to pass smog. I believe he didn't even pass and he had to slip the guy two bills.

[gstuning]

M50 has excellent turbo potential. There sure are a lot more turbo M50's out there than M30's, so the info is abundant.

How much does an M20 weigh?

In the us maybe but in Europe the M30 has a fan base like non other, turbo M30´s are not hard to find,
they are the ultimate survival engine besides putting in a slightly higher cam so you get max power at around 6100 you gain 15hp from that alone, and turbo makes an even more power then with the stock cam :)

3.5liters is alot of space,

[george graves]

What is up with everyone paying hundreds of dollars for shortened and balanced shafts? There are three places here that do Semi truck shafts everyday that quoted me 75 bucks to shorten and balance mine, thankfully I did not have to though.

I paid $150 for a e30 m3 shaft - BMW shafts are "friction" welded together (one part of the saft is held stationary, and the other spun up read fast - they are then pressed together and friction creates a uniform weld bonding the two peices. I'm told BMW mercades and lexus use this method - I tried 3 local shops and all wound not do it.

I finally sent it to "cannon engineering" in north hollywood and was very disappointed (keep givnig me BS excuses why it wasn't done on time)

I had the shaft compleatly rebuilt with new universals and shortened and balanced.

Total - $400

[JPbmw]

m30b35= 211hp :twisted:
m50= 170

thats one of the reasons why im doing the m30 swap

[kylebes1]

wish i would have, the m30 has much more potential, you can easily hit 300hp but just having the head shaved or slap a turbo on the side and you got a 1000hp

[M-technik-3]

m30b35= 211hp :twisted:
m50= 170

thats one of the reasons why im doing the m30 swap

M50=193

M30 EU spec is 211
M30 US spec is 184

[aaron_silva]

M50 = Direct bolt in
M30 = A bitch and a half to install (I think George and Ryan would agree).

Aaron

[rs4pro3]

I agree the m30 is a bitch to install but I think that's why most do that swap instead. I personally enjoy having to figure it all out, Any one can plug in wires, and hoses and tighten bolts.