M30 Swap Opinions

[Zekerbox]

I've been doing a lot of research on swap options. I have a line on a low mileage (105k) M30 with manifold, harness and ECU. The engine would go in my autox/track car build. I wanted some opinions from people who have done this swap.

Does the cars handling change significantly?
Is this swap harder than 24v?
Cost effective? (this is somewhat of a budget build)

Share your thoughts

Thanks,

Zeke

[Zekerbox]

Good chat

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Go for it. Id say this swap rates about the same as a 24v. Some say the m30 bogs down the front end but a good coilovers and set of sways and you won't know that difference. Cost effective yes and no.

[frankie591]

If you want a track car go for a 24v swap. I have an m52 in my track car and an m30 in my daily and they both do their jobs very well. Not to say that an m30 wouldn't do well in a track car but a 24v motor especially one with some bolt-ons and cams will rev higher and not run out of breath at high rpm like an m30 will.

[Bearmw]

I would start with asking what are the rules pertaining to whatever track/auto X you are planning on doing and asking if you want to be competitive or not? Everything you are asking has been answered in detail in a number of threads if you search...

[glnr13]

if i were building a track rat or car that I intended to track often i'd go 24v. There's a little more room for the motor to move around. With the m30 you're working with mere millimeters of clearance unless you wanted to major reconstructive surgery to the radiator support.

[Zekerbox]

I would start with asking what are the rules pertaining to whatever track/auto X you are planning on doing and asking if you want to be competitive or not? Everything you are asking has been answered in detail in a number of threads if you search...

Trust me I did a lot of searching. But I would rather get current responses. I also didn't want to spend hours and hours reading through threads where people ask and post irrelevant crap and turn the thread into a mess.

I did look into the local autox chapter regs. the points and classification changes for a bmw to bmw engine swap are negligible. I can pretty much deck out my suspension and do a swap with my car and not change classes!

I decided to go the 24v route btw. I have an M52B28 on its way next week.