Ok boys...the R3v way or the right way? :)

[FredK]

What are you driving right now? If you're renting a car, it's probably best to get your car back on the road asap. If you're driving a rattletrap yard car, then you have just a little longer to spend finding a solution to your engineless car.

I can guarantee that the M50 swap is a pain to source all the parts quickly. As Bret said, if you have a time limit, you're gonna end up paying more than you want. But, it's worth it. No more timing belt changes and valve adjustments.

burn the whole fucking thing to the ground

If you do this, lemme come over so I can throw a couple of firecrackers into the mix.

[DanGillan]

actually in my rushed m50 swap, i had all my parts in about a week and a half from the day i decided to do the swap, and in that week and a half i got some of the parts and most of the prep work done. then the rest of the parts came in and then i ran into the starting issue, even through all that, its only been about a month into the swap. without working on it for 2 weeks in between

[CleanAzzE30z]

I want that E28. That is all

Mariano

[Bimmerfanatik]

Currently sharing a car with my girlfriend - so it's got to be done sooner than later.

Current plans are to pull the smooth-running SETA engine from the parts car, slap a spare 260 that I have on it, and swap it for my engine/tranny.

New CSB, flex disc, shift bushings/linkage, water pump, t-belt, plugs, and fluids for now. Over the next month or so, rebuilding the current head with new internals and an aggressive cam, then swapping onto the engine.

[Dave]

Currently sharing a car with my girlfriend - so it's got to be done sooner than later.

Current plans are to pull the smooth-running SETA engine from the parts car, slap a spare 260 that I have on it, and swap it for my engine/tranny.

New CSB, flex disc, shift bushings/linkage, water pump, t-belt, plugs, and fluids for now. Over the next month or so, rebuilding the current head with new internals and an aggressive cam, then swapping onto the engine.

K.I.S.S.

Good move, Scott. It'll give you time to make something else to put in there, but give you wheels.

[Bimmerfanatik]

K.I.S.S.

Good move, Scott. It'll give you time to make something else to put in there, but give you wheels.

pre-cisely.

Once I get this in, I can start piecing together a non-vanos swap via Brew and others.

Seriously, the SETA engine sounds like a brand new honda engine. Beyond quiet and smooth. The ultimate KISS solution.

I'll be back on the road Friday :) This gives me an excuse to fix the linkage and bushings, CSB, flex disc, spark plugs, valve adjustment - little shit.

[AdironRider]

Werd to the supereta idea. I remember hearing that bad boy run and it was smooth as silk.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Werd to the supereta idea. I remember hearing that bad boy run and it was smooth as silk.

Fuck, that's right - I ran that car for you to show you what properly adjusted valves can sound like :)

Does anyone know if the clutch and pressure plate from an 85 eta will fit this engine? Almost new setup, I'd rather not waste it if I don't have to...

I also need to know what the PN is for the clutch alignment tool - when I asked for the clutch tool at Bav for the 318i, they gave me the wrong one - just want to make sure I get the right one this time!

[DanGillan]

why do you plan on going non vanos eventually. s50 is the only way to go if you're "planning" anything.

[Bimmerfanatik]

why do you plan on going non vanos eventually. s50 is the only way to go if you're "planning" anything.

says the guy with a non-vanos M50.

I don't need or want an s50 - I'm almost completely satisfied with the stock m20 with bolt-ons. Any faster and I'm going to get myself in way too much trouble - as it is I find myself barrelling to 100+ getting on the highway with little to no effort - I can't afford that kind of speeding ticket :)

To me, for a DD, it's overkill. Sure, it's quacktastic to have the bragging rights, but it's just too much power that's never going to get tapped, and when it does, it's just going to cut into the life of my tires anyways.

Meh - maybe I'm getting old.

[DanGillan]

old fart.

[Bimmerfanatik]

old fart.

yep :)

[AdironRider]

Save the s50 for a dedicated project/track/fun car or whatever. I agree in the sense that itd be way to much power to use to go get groceries and stuff.

[Brew]

I agree in the sense that itd be way to much power to use to go get groceries and stuff.

Lies. Its the perfect amount of power for the e30 chassis IMO. :razz:

[FredK]

Save the s50 for a dedicated project/track/fun car or whatever. I agree in the sense that itd be way to much power to use to go get groceries and stuff.

Nah. M10 swap. That's plenty of power to get groceries and stuff.

MO POWA.

I bet you'd still get 25-27 MPG highway with the S50 swap, if you used fairly reasonable gearing. I think Stu Mc got like 30 mpg driving solely on the highway.

Anyway Scott, it sounds like you've made the right decision--get your car up and running asap, and slowly amass swap parts.