New and Excited!

[IsoGrifo]

Hello everyone! :D

Just registered and wanted to introduce myself! Names Joel from hot n sunny Arizona. My first car was an 86 e28 535i and I miss it badly! I've had trucks ever since and am ready to get back into these old BMWs. My dad kept my e28 after I wrecked it (for some reason I thought it was a good idea to take a roundabout at 60, not realizing there was sand in the road... completely twisted the whole car) for his 85 e24 as a parts car. I got the grand notion a couple nights ago to save up for a couple months and pick myself up an e30 2 door and swap in the m30b34. I've already read Jean's swap and a few others and I really think it's doable! for now I'll be doing a lot of reading, but I really can't wait to pick up a car and start really learning more! I think I'm off to a good start to, my dad had owned close to 20 BMWs, mostly E28s, two E24s, 3 2002s, and one E30, so a fairly knowledgeable family member I would think.


Just a quick list of what I've had:
1965 Ford f100, 300ci I6 w/ auto (Bought before I could drive, took 2.5 years to get it moving on it's own power due to short funds)
1986 E28 535i auto - first car that actually drove
2001 GMC Sonoma with 4.3l V6 and auto - Granpa's truck, spun out on the freeway and slammed into a guard rail.
1992 Ford Ranger, 2.3l 5Speed, current ride paid $450, needed tires, a battery, and a starter motor, but just lost the clutch...

[N2MYE30]

Wassup Joel. Welcome aboard. There is more than enough info on this site to get you in trouble. Now get yourself a car!

[AbsorbantNut]

Hi joel, welcome to r3v

[StereoInstaller1]

Yup, welcome to R3V. M30 powered car is a great start to serious addiction.

Just remember, having 1 E30 is pointless, just buy 2 and get a good start.

[5spoke]

Just remember, having 1 E30 is pointless, just buy 2 and get a good start.

haha this is true. Welcome Joel.

[IsoGrifo]

Which E30 would you guys suggest I be looking for? I know I want a 2 door hardtop, but idk if a 318 or 325 would make the swap easier?

[87e30]

Which E30 would you guys suggest I be looking for? I know I want a 2 door hardtop, but idk if a 318 or 325 would make the swap easier?

325 for brakes and better/more common suspension stuff. my opinion. Unless you're just going to go 5 lug right away.

[AbsorbantNut]

325 for sure. Then you dont have to worry about small case diffs, brakes, and stuff like that.

[87e30]

Oh, and can you use a 260 with the m30? I'm assuming you can, therefore I'm assumign you dont' want the 240 that the 318 has.

[AbsorbantNut]

Oh, and can you use a 260 with the m30? I'm assuming you can, therefore I'm assumign you dont' want the 240 that the 318 has.

Nope, you need an m30 tranny to go with the m30. I was looking to swap in one a while ago, but you have to get a new tranny, so 24v is the way to go if you wanna do a budget

[87e30]

Nope, you need an m30 tranny to go with the m30. I was looking to swap in one a while ago, but you have to get a new tranny, so 24v is the way to go if you wanna do a budget

Interesting. Lots of people say m30 is cheaper, probably because you can find them just laying around more easily, but 24vs are coming down.

[IsoGrifo]

There's several m30 tranny's for sale on ebay right now for a reasonable price, what I need to do is sell the tranny I have right now, a 60s Ford 3-speed manual, it came with an engine I bought for the block and head in my 65.

The b34 I have is an auto engine, I don't think that really makes a difference? just a diff tps and flywheel right?

[325ix]

Welcome. I love those old ford trucks. There is plenty to learn here as well.

[IsoGrifo]

Trigger - My baby

[Holland]

Awesome, do work. We love noobs who do their research and loving another AZ car.