vandy's 1991 318is 24v swap

[vandy]

Hi all - just moved from lurker to member here. I'm on my 3rd e30 now - a '91 318is that was stupid cheap to purchase, is reasonably clean now and a good swap candidate. The m42 timing chain tensioner snapped off the block, so I'm looking forward to a 24v swap, hopefully to be running by the end of summer.

So here some phone pictures:











Power goals are:
- 24v motor, thinking m50nv
- ebay headers
- custom cams
- tuned

I appreciate all feedback and tips, and will undoubtedly use the collective knowledge here when the time comes! Thanks!

[kingston]

Welcome aboard!

There's tons of great info in the 24V section of the forum. Feel free to reach out if you have questions (I just wrapped up my M50 swap on my `88 sedan, and am getting ready to start an S52 swap on my `86 coupe.

Car looks great, BTW! Good starting point!

[Simon S]

do you have a garage door in your kitchen?

.. cause that'd be perfect..

[alB5]

do you have a garage door in your kitchen?

.. cause that'd be perfect..

Lol all you`d need to complete the perfect garage is with a toilet, nothing will ever be out of reach. Shit i'll live in there if possible. ;)

[LuckyHenriksen]

Nice project! Have any plans for the M42 when you pull it?

[pacmanE30]

nice choice, and welcome

[vandy]

M50NV has been purchased and will be here this weekend. :D Looking forward to getting it on the stand and prepped to be installed!

Welcome aboard!

There's tons of great info in the 24V section of the forum. Feel free to reach out if you have questions (I just wrapped up my M50 swap on my `88 sedan, and am getting ready to start an S52 swap on my `86 coupe.

Car looks great, BTW! Good starting point!

Great, thanks! Questions will be forthcoming I'm sure.

Nice project! Have any plans for the M42 when you pull it?

No plans yet. I'm diving into it this weekend to see the carnage.

nice choice, and welcome

Thanks!

[kingston]

Alright Vandy! Can't wait to see updates! I LURVE my 24V-swapped car, and I'm betting you'll be just as happy!

[drutt23]

Looks like a great start man! Welcome to membership (and obsession)!!

[vandy]

m50nv is in the garage, M42 is out of the car and being parted out. The bay is incredibly dirty and will need a good cleaning as soon as I can clear my driveway to push it out and arm myself with Simple Green and brake cleaner. Looks like my low pressure power steering line was responsible for most of the driver's side nasty.

New parts being installed now:

11120034106 - nonvanos valve cover gasket
11121437395 x15 - valve cover nut rubber seal
11281437929 - belt
11531708499 - top coolant hose
11531726344 - bottom coolant hose
07129952121 x2 - clamp
07129952119 x2 - clamp
11517527799 - composite water pump
11537511580 - 88c thermostat, whaler
11531740437 - thermostat housing profile gasket
11141432240 - rear main seal
11131437237 - oil pan gasket
11431720875 - oil dipstick
11421730389 x5 - oil filter kit
35411160609 - throttle cable
11811175735 x2 - motor mounts
23111228314 - input shaft seal
23121205340 - output shaft seal
26111225624 - flex disc
32411097164 - power steering fluid res
21521116300 - clutch slave

Decided it would benefit me (and possibly others) to see what I have spent on this project:

1 ) 1991 318is with blown m42: $450
2 ) M50NV, harness, DME, intake: $330
3 ) E34 oil pan, pickup, tube: $130
4 ) E36 325i driveshaft: $90
5 ) ebay SS rep headers: $110
6 ) Engine refresh parts (as listed above): $358
7 ) E36 80A Bosch alt: $50
8 ) Flowmaster Y200250: $47

Some questions to you swap veterans -

1) I am looking to improve my PS line solution. I've seen some cut off the fitting at the end of the low pressure line and fit regular bulk hose & standard clamps instead of the BMW OEM part. I need to replace this line anyways. Thoughts on this?

2) I ordered some ebay-special SS rep headers and a Flowmaster Y200250 to begin my exhaust solution. (Special thanks to Janderson for the help and idea!) I hope to get it ceramic-coated soon, however there is no ceramic coater in town so my timeline depends on when I can get to Seattle or Spokane. So, I am looking at options for the rest of my exhaust. Right now, I am fairly sold on the idea of a resonator OR hi-flow cat to a muffler. Thoughts? Muffler choices you prefer?

3) Clutch, flywheel and pressure plate are the only "big" items holding me up now. In review, I'm running an m50nv, m42 starter and g240 trans. I'd like to stick with OEM feel clutch, and possibly shave a stock flywheel at the local machine shop. Suggestions? I have been doing a lot of reading and searching on this and there seems to be lots of solutions. Looking for the best DD solution that doesn't break the bank.

Thanks all! I will update with pictures soon.

[BenjaminButtton]

Nice score on the car, wish I could find those kinda deals haha I have a twin e30 to yours except black interior. Any progress made on the swap? I'm looking to do a 24v swap in my car.

[vandy]

Nice score on the car, wish I could find those kinda deals haha I have a twin e30 to yours except black interior. Any progress made on the swap? I'm looking to do a 24v swap in my car.

Nice. I wish I had a black interior e30, never have had one. This is my third tan one! Motor and g240 is installed, brakes are sorted, 3.73 LSD out back, now just waiting on power steering pump mounting hardware so I can finish putting accessories on. The place I ordered from didn't tell me that the hardware was out of stock, so they ordered it from Germany and I've been playing the waiting game.