New name and and new engine for Mina: an e30 for the GF

[Andy.B]

Progress:


I decided to go a slightly different route with the wiring harness. It's the stock m20b25 harness (Production date 7/87). I cut the sheathing off, and was able to reach all the necessary connectors without actually cutting or extending any wires. I then tucked the harness into the position I want it to be in. Some wires were too long after this, so they are doubled back on themselves in the harness. The only wire I'm going to have to cut is the small gauge 12v to the alternator, and that's only because its too wound up in the other wires in the harness to get it where I need it. Once I get everything tidy, I will re wrap all the wires into bundles again, and viola, instant m30b34 motronic 1.3 harness without any real wiring modifications.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Awesome! Mine was the same way I think it came in and out 5 or 6 times before the firewall was pushed back far enough. Then I couldnt get it on the mounts so I had to use a pry bar to wedge the motor back and forth until it went over the mounts. Cant wait to see more progress!

[Andy.B]

Mina has an m30! There is still a lot to do to get it running, but the engine is in place, finally!

Getting it in position was a much bigger challenge than I expected. It went in and came out 3 times before I had the firewall massaged enough to get the m30 back far enough to line up with the engine mounts. And even then, it was a challenge. The only way I was able to get it on the engine mounts was to take the exhaust side mount off so I could get the engine all the way back in the tunnel, then clock it to slip the intake side rubber mount in place. After that, I was able to rotate it back 'upright', and then wedge the arm down over the rubber mount and thread the bolts into the block. It was quite an ordeal.

[Ether-D]

If you're serious about getting that bottom end i might be of service. Trying to get down to visit my brother in Lebanon and might be able to drag that down with me.

Oh I'm serious. It is on the short list. I'm sure one will turn up down here right about the time we work it out, but I'd love to help Ando.B with some monetary compensation, for I believe he is a good dude.

Edit: Also, Chicken wings, nuff said.

[unloadedak]

gahhhh early model sedan with cardinal interior..

get this baby running man!

[Swanny]

If you're serious about getting that bottom end i might be of service. Trying to get down to visit my brother in Lebanon and might be able to drag that down with me.

[Ether-D]

Once this is done I'm going to follow you as my spirit animal and start planning out a supercharged build for my e30's 2.7i motor. I know nothing about diy supercharger builds, but your thread inspired me to take a stab at it. My car has enough of a flat spot until I get over 3k rpm and it gets on cam that adding turbo lag to that would make the lower rpm range seem useless.

You'll love it. It's really not all that difficult. The pulley stuff took some time, but I'll gladly share anything about it. The MS2 was the most challenging thing for me. But you'd have to do that with a turbo as well.

[Andy.B]

Haha. Crazy mystery noises are why I'm jamming an m30 into this car to begin with.

It's amazing how things can escalate like that... My engine needs a few bearings replaced to be reliable... I'd better swap in an entirely different engine! That seems easier!

Once this is done I'm going to follow you as my spirit animal and start planning out a supercharged build for my e30's 2.7i motor. I know nothing about diy supercharger builds, but your thread inspired me to take a stab at it. My car has enough of a flat spot until I get over 3k rpm and it gets on cam that adding turbo lag to that would make the lower rpm range seem useless.

But I've got to get my GF's car back on the road first. I will try to have the m30 at least bolted in place by next weekend. Then I've got to figure out stiffer springs to keep the tires from rubbing and the shocks from bottoming out. It was already bottoming out with just an m20 in there. The m30 is definitely going to be too much weight for the ST m3 springs that are in there now.

I'm actually thinking about going diy, and buying el cheap ebay coilovers for the adjusters, and getting 9 inch springs aimed at circle track racers to cut in half to end up with my desired heights and spring rates. I priced it out at costing about $150 to end up with a set comparable to the GE coils I'm running in my car.

[Ether-D]

I never thought a 2.7 bottom end had any value.

Well, they don't usually, unless you have a crazy mystery noise in your current bottom and want a low compression m20 for boosted situations, which I do...

[Andy.B]

Oh gad, I been looking for a damn 2.7 bottom for months. Time for me to say the most repeated line on r3v: "I wish you were closer...".

On a related note, I've been really wanting to drive up to Nova Scotia and drive the Cabot Trail. Hold it till the summer, hear me out, then we take the m30 swaps up and run the Cabot trail, then I get the 2.7 bottom from you on the way back home to TN? Yeah? You like?

Haha... I'll keep it in mind.

I never thought a 2.7 bottom end had any value.

[Andy.B]

How are you able to work? Didn't you guys get like 6ft of snow the other day? Good work!

I live about 3 miles north of the the border of what for absolutely hammered with snow, and what just got some snow. I work another half hour east, away from the snowpacalypse. I was lucky to be only minorly inconvenienced by the snow.

[Ether-D]

I've got a rebuilt 885 head with less than 1k miles on it, sporting all new gaskets, rebuilt injectors, and an adjustable cam gear, as well as a 2.7 bottom end, if anyone out there wants to make a 2.7i. I need to recoup some funds, and clear or some space!

Oh gad, I been looking for a damn 2.7 bottom for months. Time for me to say the most repeated line on r3v: "I wish you were closer...".

On a related note, I've been really wanting to drive up to Nova Scotia and drive the Cabot Trail. Hold it till the summer, hear me out, then we take the m30 swaps up and run the Cabot trail, then I get the 2.7 bottom from you on the way back home to TN? Yeah? You like?

[E30NJ]

How are you able to work? Didn't you guys get like 6ft of snow the other day? Good work!

[Andy.B]

I did some quick measurements, and yeah, the m30 is quite a bit bigger. It is going to be a TIGHT fit. The g265 is also a good 2 inches longer. I am anxious to get it mounted in there, and see if I can mix and match driveshaft parts without sending anything out to the shop.

On a related note...
I've got a rebuilt 885 head with less than 1k miles on it, sporting all new gaskets, rebuilt injectors, and an adjustable cam gear, as well as a 2.7 bottom end, if anyone out there wants to make a 2.7i. I need to recoup some funds, and clear or some space!

[Ether-D]

Ooooooh, looking good! One of those motors is quite a bit gerthier than the other...