e30 engine conversion

[Lucius]

thanks for the heads up,did you view it yourself

No, I didn't. But I spoke with previous owner who sold this car for 1500 on bmw-driver.net, than few weeks later this JDiddy fella (owner) was trying to sell it on same forum for 2500 gearbox wasn't replaced or repaired.
He's (Jdiddy) banned on bmw-driver and afaik he's banned here too. I forgot his username on here.

[Keith_200SX]

I viewed that car, it's a quick enough car, strong engine,

[DaveM-sport]

Friend had an RB20 E30 and said it handled pretty poorly but he only had Konis and bits like that so probably would have been much better with coilovers. He has an M50b25 in it now and think he prefers it. Obviously an rb25 would be better than a 2L in terms of abit more power though.

M50b25 is a great engine too if you want a turbo as they can take 4-500bhp with very minimal work like arp head bolts, gasket and even just standard internals.

The M30 is an awesome engine for a road car or cheap drifter but it would want to be cheap and come with a manual box as like the V8 manuals, they can be hard to get hold of. I've mounts to fit the M30 if you do decide to go that way anyway.


M60b40 is the way to go really though. Cheap near enough to 300bhp straight out of the box. Engines can be picked up for 3 or 400 quid (or even ropey 540 or 740 autos at that) so if it blows what about it

Make sure you have the manual box sorted before the engine though.

The 4L V8s will be every bit as good or maybe better than the 3L M3 lump too.

[damodeane]

thats all god and well dave but iv given up trying to find them with manual box for good money,whats the m30 conversion worth with the dogleg box would you think

[ali-d1936]

No, I didn't. But I spoke with previous owner who sold this car for 1500 on bmw-driver.net, than few weeks later this JDiddy fella (owner) was trying to sell it on same forum for 2500 gearbox wasn't replaced or repaired.
He's (Jdiddy) banned on bmw-driver and afaik he's banned here too. I forgot his username on here.

Thats good to know i was looking at that today after seeing that s14 on driftworks with that engine in it i was thining of stockpileing it for a swap at a later date.

On the otherhand gem had a v8 manual bmw for sale cheap i think newer car too and cheap.

[DaveM-sport]

Gems V8 was only a 3.5L though and not a 4 or 4.4.
Also, the E39 engine is more awkward to get running than the older E35 engine and wouldn't worry about one lump beig older than another as even a lot of the E39 4.4s crack heads for just shits and giggles.


M30 with a dogleg box value?
If engine is good, the whole lot should surely be worth 900-1000 euro considering good dogleg boxes are worth 4-600 euro.

Advertise it in the UK, and the lot will probably get you 1500 very easily.

[will_c]

wheres the best place to go looking for v8 manual gearboxes dave?

[Lucius]

Why not use cheaper box with V8 engine? You only need adapter plate and gearbox from e36 325 or e34 525. Waaaay cheaper than sourcing manual V8 box. There's plenty of them used in drifting.

[Dave]

If I was going this I'd go for an m50b25 or m50b28 they can take a lot of abuse and sound pretty mental when turbo'd. There's plently conversions on youtube and a few running these in an e36 on driftworks.
Then you would be able to source gearboxes etc pretty handy!
That would be the way to go IMO of course.

[Lucius]

m50b25 or m50b28

Never heard of m50b28, well you could actually build a stroker like my friend did and he have m50b29 now with 245 bhp, but anyway if you mean m52b28 than you're wrong. This engine it's not the best idea for a turbo conversion. Anyway it's too much hassle with turboing bmw engines, and there's not too many people around here to tune that engine for you. Even if you do, you'll probably spend more time with hood open than in the seat enjoying it For that money (engine, gaskets,turbo, manifold, injectors and service parts) you could easily pick up s50 engine.