New $750 e30

[baconandwhiskey]

I first got into e30s 10 years ago when I bought a 87 325is at sixteen fell in love with them bought a e34 to go with it two years later. Then ended up joing the navy and my parents got tired of them sitting so got rid of them cause I no place else to put them.
So I found a deal on a 87 325i convertible for $750. It drives and runs with minor issues like loss of power steering, no fourth gear, no window on vert top, and pretty sure leaking head gasket. Logical solution engine swap right? Question is what swap to do, I'm thinking ls, m20 or m50 thoughts and opinions.

[agent]

Unless you're going for an OEM/restomod end result, for the time and effort it takes to do a swap (correctly) anything less than an M52 OBDII swap is pointless. IMO of course.

[baconandwhiskey]

You think even a LS is pointless, the reson I'm thinking LS cause I can get one for $300.

[mr2peak]

The top is a $1k-2k problem by its self. There are many more parts required to swap in an LS motor than just the motor, also the vert chassis won't behave well with that much power. Get a nice car to start, it's the small things that kill a budget.

[IronFreak]

You think even a LS is pointless, the reson I'm thinking LS cause I can get one for $300.

Whats $300 include? just the motor?

you'll also need:

• harness/ecu
• motor mount arms
• modified GTO pan, sump
• Sikky or some other special headers
• Tremec or TKO transmission (autos will not fit without massive mutilation to the chassis)
• custom drive shaft

Those are just a few things that come to mind.

Do you research before you go spending money on a $300 motor that will cost you $9000 to install.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

M30 swap yo

[rcsoundn1]

How has this gotten this far w/o anyone asking for pics???

[TurboJake]

A possible leaking m20 headgasket on a "drives and runs" engine requiring a swap?

Not really logical no.

[KIRIEIW]

Cylinder 1 on these cars tend to leak oil a bit, at least on the 4 e30's we've had in the family. If your not leaking coolant and oil is just "seeping" out a bit, your fine. Personally, I'd just pull the engine and put in all new seals. At the same time, pull the steering rack and rebuild it your self (if you think you can) with new seals, tie rods, ect. or install one already rebuilt. Car could most likely use new control arms, sway bushings, ect. Start investigating!

As always, have fun with it!

[baconandwhiskey]

Thanks everyone for the inputs I was really hoping for a brainstorming of ideals.

I'm not concerned with fixing the top I have a cover I put on it when its parked Virginia Beach is nice enough weather I can live with a vert.

Never thought about the chassis-power problem with it being a vert.

300 includes unused motor and ecu from Volvo Penta . I understand I will need the rest of the items. That's why I haven't bought the motor yet and was asking for input

I will post pics here soon

Took P/S pump out (noticed hole in the lower radiator hose)and I purchased pump rebuild kit. My pull power steering rack and rebuild it why I'm at it.

Also have a complete running driving 302(carb) that put 340 on dyno here recently sitting around waiting for a host.

[McGyver]

so, uh, planning on providing pictures?

As far as chassis-power goes, you can add a front strut brace and a x-brace under the car to help. You'll never be as solid as a coupe, but verts are more for cruising than serious racing.

That said, going with a non-bmw engine is going to be ALOT more work since you'll have so many more things to modify/fab/buy. I would suggest adding up the cost of an ls swap and compare that to the cost of a m5x or s5x swap, also think about your confidence in your mechanical ability, then make a choice.

[baconandwhiskey]

Attached photo

[baconandwhiskey]

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[rcsoundn1]

Fix HG kick ass

[Nesset]

Fix headgasket. Pitch sideways.