Lightweight e30, have platform/engine ideas, leaning 318is/N52… talk me out of it

[Maxhouse97]

Great please let us know when it comes out

[OSAH racing]

Look for a Video from Garagistic soon. They have ran their K swap and Spec E30 on the same track and tires. I hope to hear very important information on lap times, handling differences and cost.

[Striker01]

Checking back in here - as I’ve done more research on the N52 swap, I’m come to realize that it’s quite the endeavor. The amazing work that folks like Hoveringuy and Stryker have done notwithstanding (like finding out that Z4 engine mounts fit perfectly), it still takes a lot of custom work. I’m trying to assess the level of difficulty vs M5x swap, but it seems the M5x is more bolt in. To me this not only increases the up front cost/effort, but I would think the ownership experience is more burdensome as well as the car ages and things break/need replacing (harder to find a spare fuel filter that you had to bend/fabricate).

Now I expect that will get better as more people do the swap and the aftermarket picks up, but this will take time (vs S52 which has been done upteen times). 22RPD seems like a candidate for a shop that will pick up some of this. How about Gargastic or Condor speed shop? I have read some negative reviews on 22RPD, not sure if that’s something to worry about.

N52 still intrigues me though due to its weight and power. And most of my desire to go with this platform would be to have a bit of a custom car (if I’ve wanted stock/turn key I would just pony up due an M3). The velocity stack kit that 22RPD is working on will supposedly save an additional 15-20lbs, which would put you within 10-15 of an M42/K and give you an amazing sound. The K though is enticing if I could get over the heritage piece. But I don’t think they sound that great.

More crockpotting to be done!

This is my first swap but I can tell you its been quite the endeavor and the budget was blown a couple months in, I was hoping 5k or less when I started; I didn't make it. Granted, a lot of the work and cost wasn't necessary for a swap. I don't want to discourage you, just giving you an idea up front. It has been frustrating at times but I'm really enjoying this process and learned a ton.

Thankfully Hoveringuy is still around the forum and extremely helpful, Adam came on board a little later but he is also a huge help. I would not have made it this far without having the ability to bounce stuff off of both of them. Both are great guys and I'm thankful they are around and willing to help!

I can't say anything bad about 22RPD, they have been super responsive and helpful. Very patient with a flashing issue that took at least a month to resolve, messaging back and forth, and was my own fault. There is some very minor stuff I'm still working through with them but nothing that prevents the car from working as is.

I don't really know what aftermarket stuff you are specifically looking for. CAD for oil pan is out there, the pickup is a bit tricky but I can't see that being profitable for a company with this kind of volume. I'm sure a 24V swap exhaust kit could be used with some minor modifications, especially with stock N52 manifolds.

[TobyB]

more people do the [(N52) swap and the aftermarket picks up

Just an observation from being around this joint for a while-
I'm not convinced there's going to be enough of an N52 swap market
to interest much of the aftermarket.
Both the engine and chassis supplies
are finite (neither is made any more) and critically,

the E30 market's headed in the 'keep it stock' direction.
The beaters don't show up in the junkyard or Craigslist that often, and
the 'scruffy runners' are being tarted up- or crashed.

15 years ago, yeah, when you couldn't give away a Bronzit 4- door automatic, maybe
someone like RaceHead would start making parts.
Now?
Hope is good, holding breath maybe less so.

I'm not saying there won't be more N52 swaps,
just that I wouldn't count on production solutions
for the current problems that would really benefit from a produced part.
(I'm thinking about the oil pan, in particular)

just my '02,
t

[OSAH racing]

That is a proper swap job. I read in the comments that his cost while doing all the Labor is 15 grand. I am sure the driving experience will be exceptional for an e30. But given the cost of a nice ,clean car 10k +, upgrades to the suspension for the best possible handling / steering 1k to 3k your going to be nudging in on 30 grand. Sure you could find the perfect car with everything done to it for less ( what I would do is find a abandoned project that is going in the proper direction ). For me when the numbers hit 20K the choice is Porsche Cayman. If you are building a track only, want an e30 because Civics and Miata's are not your thing then I would K swap it.

[OSAH racing]

That is a proper swap job. I read in the comments that his cost while doing all the Labor is 15 grand. I am sure the driving experience will be exceptional for an e30. But given the cost of a nice ,clean car 10k +, upgrades to the suspension for the best possible handling / steering 1k to 3k your going to be nudging in on 30 grand. sure you could find the perfect car with everything done to it for less ( what I would do is find a abandoned project that is done well ). For me when the numbers hit 20K the choice is Porsche Cayman. If you are building a track only, want an e30 because Civics and Miata's are not your thing then I would K swap it.

[Maxhouse97]

Whoa just got done posting the above and saw this impressive K swap video, posted only 2 months ago. Anyone know this guy?

https://youtu.be/qGRM8KIKd8o?si=HVudDNXDkBS9LU6M

[Maxhouse97]

Checking back in here - as I’ve done more research on the N52 swap, I’m come to realize that it’s quite the endeavor. The amazing work that folks like Hoveringuy and Stryker have done notwithstanding (like finding out that Z4 engine mounts fit perfectly), it still takes a lot of custom work. I’m trying to assess the level of difficulty vs M5x swap, but it seems the M5x is more bolt in. To me this not only increases the up front cost/effort, but I would think the ownership experience is more burdensome as well as the car ages and things break/need replacing (harder to find a spare fuel filter that you had to bend/fabricate).

Now I expect that will get better as more people do the swap and the aftermarket picks up, but this will take time (vs S52 which has been done upteen times). 22RPD seems like a candidate for a shop that will pick up some of this. How about Gargastic or Condor speed shop? I have read some negative reviews on 22RPD, not sure if that’s something to worry about.

N52 still intrigues me though due to its weight and power. And most of my desire to go with this platform would be to have a bit of a custom car (if I’ve wanted stock/turn key I would just pony up due an M3). The velocity stack kit that 22RPD is working on will supposedly save an additional 15-20lbs, which would put you within 10-15 of an M42/K and give you an amazing sound. The K though is enticing if I could get over the heritage piece. But I don’t think they sound that great.

More crockpotting to be done!

[Maxhouse97]

Thanks for the invite Av8drvr

[uturn]

But my main issue is that I have never driven an E30, never mind a swapped car.

The Z3 and [e36] 318ti both have the same rear trailing arm setup like the e30. They will give you an idea of how a modified e30 would drive.

The e36 coupes and sedans have the multi-link rear end that hold the road better.

[moatilliatta]

Another "light" but modern car to consider might be a slicktop 230i manual if you can find one?

Or Z4 3.0 si

hard thing is finding a good manual in one of these…7

[av8drvr]

On the test drives, yes agree … trying to figure out how to do that. Excerpt below from a PM I sent to a local Cincinnati member but haven’t heard back.

So you know, I’m not dead set on a swap, but like the idea. But my main issue is that I have never driven an E30, never mind a swapped car. I would love to drive a stock 318is to see how bad the lack of torque thing is. Couple of questions:

• What’s the best way to drive one locally in your opinion? I typically do this through test drives of used cars for sale.
• I’m active in PCA here, but is there a good local E30 club in the area?
• Do you go to Dayton Cars and Coffee? Me and my buddy (he’s got a E60 M5, I’ve got my E46 M3) regularly attend. I met a guy there with an E30 that did a Ecotec 4 cylinder swap.

I am up in Toledo with a slick-top 318iS mostly stock (M42). Come warmer weather you are welcome to come my way for a drive. Drop me a note if interested.

[E30 Wagen]

As an instructor I've gotten to ride in quite a few E36's and the way they plant the rear still amazes me, like the harder you push them the harder they stick...

I had a scary moment in my e36 where I accidently approached a turn way too fast (public road) and prepared myself for a spectacular r3v, but the darn thing carved through it running the stock 225s and stock sport suspension. Not sure my old e30 on sticky 205s would have held on as well. So yeah, I like e36s a lot; I bet that a n52 swapped one with some added lightness would be pretty amazing. For a while I was searching the entire country for a slicktop e36 and managed to find a few, a couple being four door base 318i's, which is usually the case, gave me ideas to build a street version of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw9aP6egj8o

Another "light" but modern car to consider might be a slicktop 230i manual if you can find one?

[moatilliatta]

BMW E30 M3 - 23,000 Nm/deg
Maybe for like a ate 93 DTM chassis....

Buckeye Bimmers (BMWCCA) is active in your area. Their holiday party maybe coming up.

I'm in Louisville, Ky. Definably lack of E30 action around here.

[Maxhouse97]

On the test drives, yes agree … trying to figure out how to do that. Excerpt below from a PM I sent to a local Cincinnati member but haven’t heard back.

So you know, I’m not dead set on a swap, but like the idea. But my main issue is that I have never driven an E30, never mind a swapped car. I would love to drive a stock 318is to see how bad the lack of torque thing is. Couple of questions:

• What’s the best way to drive one locally in your opinion? I typically do this through test drives of used cars for sale.
• I’m active in PCA here, but is there a good local E30 club in the area?
• Do you go to Dayton Cars and Coffee? Me and my buddy (he’s got a E60 M5, I’ve got my E46 M3) regularly attend. I met a guy there with an E30 that did a Ecotec 4 cylinder swap.