To start I'll mention I have been around e30's since I was 15 years old I have had probably 12. I have always loved cars none specifically any make, model, custom, classic, rat, experiments etc etc but the e30 is something that I cannot see myself without.
My e30 has been through many changes I constantly change my mind just for shear entertainment (I think).
My last swap: fun but just lacked the power levels I was use to. To many copy cat swaps/combo's just got bored especially as the local cars started showing up left and right with m50,s50,s52 blah blah blah boring same old shit
So I drove it to work one Friday and thought its time for something different. I arrived home let the car cool, pulled it into the garage and yanked my perfectly running swap out in 2.5 hrs. Sold that setup and the story continues........might I mention this motor never left me stranded or gave me any problems at all absolutely the best motor in terms of fun/dependability per dollar that I have had!!!
So after thinking about m30's, ls1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9's, 2jz, 1jz, 1uzfe, 2.3t, 4g63's, 3sgte's, sbc, and ridiculous m20 builds electric motors and diesel's...I thought what is a great cost effective platform that has a healthy aftermarket without being tied down to limitations or $$$ exotic parts $$$$. I settled on a motor I have always loved for simplicity and something that's not caked in plastic like most modern cars. It has to have a great sound and some displacement expandability.
So I went to the junkyard and searched around for my victim. Very quickly I zero'd in on a suv white in color and pretty clean I might add. Normally I look for cars with crash damage to the rear and inspect them for damage extending into the trans/engine/driveline. This truck was clean so I asked my buddy who owns the junk yard the story on the suv. Turns out the original owner drove it in 100% fine he had intended on using it as a trade in but the dealership wanted to give him $500 for it. My buddy gave him $1000.00. Long story short I brought home a 97 explorer 5.0 originally it was matted to a auto trans which I preferred.
I began the tear down of the engine the motor was very clean but I had a plan to refresh the entire engine just for good measure. Well the deeper I got the more I thought this thing doesn't need a rebuild just a full gasket kit, water pump etc and any needed modifications for my plan at the time to swap in a stock 302 with stock a9l ecu and a 93 fox manual wiring harness with a t5 and new clutch combo. Thinking logically at the time this was a great idea get it in get it running and add things as I felt I needed to IE head's cam maybe some nitrous maybe boost...who knows what I would want if anything. lol yea right
Here is a shot of the 5.0 and stock t5...
My e30 has been through many changes I constantly change my mind just for shear entertainment (I think).
My last swap: fun but just lacked the power levels I was use to. To many copy cat swaps/combo's just got bored especially as the local cars started showing up left and right with m50,s50,s52 blah blah blah boring same old shit
So I drove it to work one Friday and thought its time for something different. I arrived home let the car cool, pulled it into the garage and yanked my perfectly running swap out in 2.5 hrs. Sold that setup and the story continues........might I mention this motor never left me stranded or gave me any problems at all absolutely the best motor in terms of fun/dependability per dollar that I have had!!!
So after thinking about m30's, ls1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9's, 2jz, 1jz, 1uzfe, 2.3t, 4g63's, 3sgte's, sbc, and ridiculous m20 builds electric motors and diesel's...I thought what is a great cost effective platform that has a healthy aftermarket without being tied down to limitations or $$$ exotic parts $$$$. I settled on a motor I have always loved for simplicity and something that's not caked in plastic like most modern cars. It has to have a great sound and some displacement expandability.
So I went to the junkyard and searched around for my victim. Very quickly I zero'd in on a suv white in color and pretty clean I might add. Normally I look for cars with crash damage to the rear and inspect them for damage extending into the trans/engine/driveline. This truck was clean so I asked my buddy who owns the junk yard the story on the suv. Turns out the original owner drove it in 100% fine he had intended on using it as a trade in but the dealership wanted to give him $500 for it. My buddy gave him $1000.00. Long story short I brought home a 97 explorer 5.0 originally it was matted to a auto trans which I preferred.
I began the tear down of the engine the motor was very clean but I had a plan to refresh the entire engine just for good measure. Well the deeper I got the more I thought this thing doesn't need a rebuild just a full gasket kit, water pump etc and any needed modifications for my plan at the time to swap in a stock 302 with stock a9l ecu and a 93 fox manual wiring harness with a t5 and new clutch combo. Thinking logically at the time this was a great idea get it in get it running and add things as I felt I needed to IE head's cam maybe some nitrous maybe boost...who knows what I would want if anything. lol yea right
Here is a shot of the 5.0 and stock t5...
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