340i V8 E30 on Jalopnik

[The Dark Side of Will]

He used the subframe spacers from garagistic.

Which goon up the front suspension's roll center, while the V8 adds weight high up in the engine bay...

[Metallated]

In my experience the sport seats are more comfortable than the comfort seats.

I agree. And well put lukeAD

[varg]

Really though. I never understood why people shit on the comfort seats. They're really not that bad.

In my experience the sport seats are more comfortable than the comfort seats.

[iXguido]

Yeah... did he mod the oil pan to lower the engine? What's his driveline alignment like?

He used the subframe spacers from garagistic.

As much as I like the sleeper aspect of it, it's definitely not how BMW would have done it... if it had been factory, it would either have either been 5-stud like the M3 with the e34 540i brakes or at least had the 296mm brakes from Alpina. It would have had hydroboost, and they would have modded the sump to suit the chassis. It also would have been an iS, so either the iS kit, or M-tech 2, sport seats and minimum 15 inch basket weaves (or the 16 inch wheels from the M3, or Alpina like the 333i), and so on.

From the factory, it would have been much more of a parts bin special rather than a stock eta with a V8 thrown into it.

Exactly. I love the build for what it is and it's cool to see modified cars sell for a premium. Just calling it something it isn't is a put off to me and feels like it takes away from those that work hard to build something truly special.

[lukeADE335i]

The swap was done almost the easiest way possible and yet gets so much credit for being "done properly" and "very OEM" or "how BMW would have done it" etc.

As much as I like the sleeper aspect of it, it's definitely not how BMW would have done it... if it had been factory, it would either have either been 5-stud like the M3 with the e34 540i brakes or at least had the 296mm brakes from Alpina. It would have had hydroboost, and they would have modded the sump to suit the chassis. It also would have been an iS, so either the iS kit, or M-tech 2, sport seats and minimum 15 inch basket weaves (or the 16 inch wheels from the M3, or Alpina like the 333i), and so on.

From the factory, it would have been much more of a parts bin special rather than a stock eta with a V8 thrown into it.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Yeah... did he mod the oil pan to lower the engine? What's his driveline alignment like?

[iXguido]

No hate here. I love a proper e30 v8 (read bmw v8), but I just don't fully appreciate all of the hype with this one. It bothers me a bit that the swap was done almost the easiest way possible and yet gets so much credit for being "done properly" and "very OEM" or "how BMW would have done it" etc.

[The Dark Side of Will]

With the 2.93 and the 5 speed, it probably *IS* a fire breathing track weapon... WAY more torque than an S52.

A vacuum booster doesn't fit, but a hydroboost, particularly the style from the E23, can fit with a V8.

[e30davie]

Lot of haters. To be expected.

I like it. And I understand. It's not a fire breathing track weapon and with the 2.93? Gearing it would be quite manageable with those tyres and open diff.

The only thing I personally would change is put the vacuum booster back in for the brakes. I think in a car that is definately a cruiser than a track king having uber hard brakes would be annoying. But i guess the booster doesnt fit with that v8.

[iXguido]

But its sooooooooo OEM guise! Exactly how BMW would have built it (rolls eyes)

[Poorhouse]

The exhaust looks horrible. Kinked bends? Come on.

Open diff...

Keeps bottlecaps because sleeper, puts 340 badge on the back...

Hopefully for the buyer it's legit.

[parkerbink]

The two things that grab my attention looking at the underside are that hanging oil pan & how restrictive is that exhaust?

Not a fan of the bottlecaps (never have been) and then why did someone put all that money & effort out and sell it?

[jpod999]

Really though. I never understood why people shit on the comfort seats. They're really not that bad.

Most E30 people are into 'sporty' driving...the comfort seats don't really fit the bill.

[abrokenframe]

Really though. I never understood why people shit on the comfort seats. They're really not that bad.

[djjerme]

See, I was always a bench seat fan. So much easier to have your date slide up next to you with a bench seat..

Bench seats, no belts and drum brakes - ahh, the good old days of street racing.