M3x?

[nando]

The alignment would have to be perfect though. Even the slightest vibration would be catastrophic, trying to shake open the oilpan.

yes you would have to get the alignment of the front driveshafts pretty close. I don't think that vibration would be an issue, however having the axels at a wierd angle wouldn't be good for their longevity, esp. if you have 250+hp.

also, all AWD bimmers have the front driveshaft going through the oil pan.. something about a lower center of gravity and equal length halfshafts contributed to that decision.

[george graves]

Here are some non-m3's running IX drive lines with different motor swaps (euro s50, m30, ect...)

Dam germans will do anything under the sun.

http://home.earthlink.net/~wardellhix/members/newsletters/iXchange27.html

http://www.behindmatrix.com/e30/fotost/f01028/f01028.htm

http://www.behindmatrix.com/e30/fotost/f01025/f01025.htm

http://autoshow.permaisuri.com/Content/Autoshow.asp?AutoID=20041009222555

It looks as if all you really need is a custom oil pan that the half shafts go thru. A neat idea if you wanted to have a e30 m3 as your winter snow car/mountian climber. But then again....why????

...

[Rob]

But then again....why????

...

that's what tacoma's are for.

[george graves]

I'd rock any of these two!!!!!!!

[Q5Quint]

If you think about all the normal things involved in swapping in a different engine, I think the oil pan and a tranny that mates to the transfercase are the only 2 extra things you have to worry about.




butttttt I say awd turbo is kind of fun, none of that pansy wheel spinning stuff that 2wd cars do right? It's bragging rights to be faster on a dirt road than most cars are on the pavement.

[Rob]

If you think about all the normal things involved in swapping in a different engine, I think the oil pan and a tranny that mates to the transfercase are the only 2 extra things you have to worry about.

Dont forget the front suspension pieces necessary to have axles running through them....

[nando]

you can use the ix getrag 260, and a swap would have nothing to do with your front suspension (other than maybe stiffer springs for the extra ~50lbs).

[CleanAzzE30z]

The E30 ix has a friggin shaft running through the oilpan, that is why you dont see M50 swaps.

There is probably an M bodied IX someplace but that is hardly a M3x. Buy an S4 if you want a 3800lb M3.

Thank you. Well said.