View Full Version : e30 engine conversion
To make a long story short iv been collecting rb25 parts to do a egine transplant into my e30.its a project that wount be rushed an probably started till the new year.now I still have head loom ecu and few small bits to get.but I've been offered a BMW m30 conversion everything bar the engine mounts.its one that's been done many times so easy get bits etc for.this is a twenty plus year old engine so im wondering is it worth the hassel.i do like the torque and no turbo lag thought.has anyone on here done this conversion on there e30.if so what did you think of it and if you had the chance again would you or should I stick to the original plan with the skyline engine
iv had a good few bmw's iv had 2 e32 735 with the m30 i no in the big 7 you couldnt compare it but i wouldn realy rate them as any good, if was going to put in a bmw engine id go v8, there is an e34 540 manual on done deal breaking there front sumped and every thing would be a handy conversion,
iv had a good few bmw's iv had 2 e32 735 with the m30 i no in the big 7 you couldnt compare it but i wouldn realy rate them as any good, if was going to put in a bmw engine id go v8, there is an e34 540 manual on done deal breaking there front sumped and every thing would be a handy conversion,
do you have a link ciaran
Here it is http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/carparts/4080270 rb25 e30 would be serious tho, was talkin to a lad in mondello with an rb20 e30 and he said it was fairly handy to do
The only thing putting. It in my head is I have most of the part,I've seen a 26 in one in the net and it looked the business but don't know how it handels
I'd go with a M52/m54 tbh cheap plentiful supply and they wouldn't be a million miles off an RB powerwise or if dollar isn't an issue go with a S5x engine.
M30B35 seems to be ok, but didn't have that wow factor and didn't impress me powerwise. If you want to do something cheap and reliable choose M50B25. If you get a right engine it'll last long and will take a lot of abuse. Swap is cheap and easy. "Will do mondello on 3rd, no bother" :rolleyes::eek:
If you have some more $$$ go for M54B30. This engine in e30 shell will do the job. For example, M54B30 powered e30 against e46 M3:
V8 powered e30's are much harder to steer afaik, never drove one myself but few fellas on different forum has them as a drift cars. Big plus for torque from the bottom, but minus for heavy engine.
btw My friend will be selling his ESS Supercharged M54B30 soon.
Here it is http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/carparts/4080270
I would stay away from this car, gearbox is fucked and new one or repair will cost you a lot.
thanks for the heads up,did you view it yourself
id deff go with the v8 sound mental i was thinking of this conversion in my sierra but funds dont agree at the mo but also curious did any1 few this 540i and also is there any difference in the power between 740i and 540i. if you not planning on using the rb25 running gear would you consider selling :)
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:D 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
29-10-12, 07:31
I viewed that car, it's a quick enough car, strong engine,
DaveM-sport
29-10-12, 11:44
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.
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
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:D 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
30-10-12, 20:13
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.
wheres the best place to go looking for v8 manual gearboxes dave?
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.
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.
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.
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.
any link for where you would get one of these
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 ;)
Yeah m52b28, out of the 328i e36. I thought they were very reliable with the alusil block. I know making manifolds and downpipes are a balls for them and not many people would be willing to do that. But I've not read a bad report from anyone who has had the job done.
any link for where you would get one of these
Unfortunately it's in polish language http://moto.allegro.pl/v8-m60-flasza-adapter-skrzynia-m50-e30-e36-drift-i2695772739.html
1 euro = 4 zloty
Shipping is 25-30 euro (3-5 days delivery)
http://imageshack.us/a/img26/5170/adaptersr.jpg
Yeah m52b28, out of the 328i e36. I thought they were very reliable with the alusil block. I know making manifolds and downpipes are a balls for them and not many people would be willing to do that. But I've not read a bad report from anyone who has had the job done.
Well, I've done my homework before I bought s50b32 for my own conversion and from dozens turbo'd bmw's on other forum I couldn't find many m52 engines. Actually last project which I've viewed was e36 328 and owner replaced m52b28 engine with older and much more reliable m50b25 unit before installing td04 - 13t .
You'll need much more time and work to prepare m52b28 engine for turbo than m50 unit.
They are good for supercharger but not for turbo.
If you have some free time, use google translate and check the turbobmw.pl gallery:
http://turbobmw.pl/viewforum.php?f=3
There's plenty (+100) turbo'd bmw engines in there, some are +700 hp. Street cars, drift cars and dragsters. It took me whole weekend to read just part of that forum, but at least it helped me which my choice. I spoke with few owners from this forum and all of them have told me same thing:
"if you need reliable unit and you're not mechanic yourself choose N/A conversion or supercharger"
what clutch, flywheel, starter do you use with this?
is this what you have in your own car?
thanks for the replys im very interested in this
do you need a sleve for the shaft ? or how is the adapter plate spacing accounted for?
Must take a look so and educate myself! Cheers dude for the link!
what clutch, flywheel, starter do you use with this?
is this what you have in your own car?
thanks for the replys im very interested in this
No, I've sold my v8 and now I'm doing s50b32 conversion. I don't know what to use. Seller is saying that best way is to use half of m50b25 flywhell, m50b25 pressure plate and m30 clutch disc. Afaik some people were using standard m50b25 clutch kit with dual mass. I've send a question to the seller, we will see what he'll say.
DaveM-sport
31-10-12, 21:22
yes, you may be able to pick up an S50 for that money but S50 only makes 280-340bhp without spending mad money and that's with a good set of exhaust manifolds if fitting it into a RHD E30, fuck those up and you might only have a little bit more poke than a decent M52b28 while an M50 with a turbo is good for 400+. There's even a good few Scandinavian lads even selling S50s to find M50 turbo builds as they want a cheap way to 600-800bhp. I know they do it because S50s are worth two or three times what they are worth here but you can barely get somebody to map an S50 with a set of cams here while most decent tuners should be able to manage a non-vanos M50 and a turbo.
Then of course if the M50 turbo engine does shit itself, it's just a case of buying another 2-300 euro M50 engine and bolting all the bits on.
Stroked M50s are great but it's defeating the purpose of the M50 being nice cheap power with engines being plentiful if it goes bang in my opinion.
If all you want is 200-250bhp in an E30 though an M52b28 with cams, M50 inlet and few bits is very hard to beat given then engine weighs about the same as a 318is engine though and with just those few bits the engines are very reliable if you start with a good one.
Manifolds are handy enough too, compared to the S50 ones anyway. Did first one three years ago and now has M50 inlet, bbtb, re-map and S52 cams and it pulls very well.
He was thinking of a supercharger but reckons its enough as is since its just a Motorsport cab and a road car.
For Irish tracks, the 4L V8 is still probably the best option though for value. Even if you did go for mad power with a turbo M50, the car might not be any better competitively due to the E30 having a shit back axle for traction. You'll make loads of smoke and go sideways alright but could be a snappy prick of a thing especially coupled with some turbo lag and probably will be difficult to keep up with other cars.
Rear axle can be improved with abit of work but if your going that far, probably wouldn't be here deciding between M30s and M50s :D
That adapter plate looks like a good piece of kit. Much handier for gearboxes anyway especially if its a drift car as even the V8 5 speeds or E39 M5/E46 M3 6 speed box will eventually start to act up and your out of pocket again.
If it was a road car, easy choice would be the 6 speed box as it can make the car so much faster with a good choice of gearing.
yes, you may be able to pick up an S50 for that money but S50 only makes 280-340bhp without spending mad money and that's with a good set of exhaust manifolds if fitting it into a RHD E30, fuck those up and you might only have a little bit more poke than a decent M52b28 while an M50 with a turbo is good for 400+. There's even a good few Scandinavian lads even selling S50s to find M50 turbo builds as they want a cheap way to 600-800bhp. I know they do it because S50s are worth two or three times what they are worth here but you can barely get somebody to map an S50 with a set of cams here while most decent tuners should be able to manage a non-vanos M50 and a turbo.
Then of course if the M50 turbo engine does shit itself, it's just a case of buying another 2-300 euro M50 engine and bolting all the bits on.
Stroked M50s are great but it's defeating the purpose of the M50 being nice cheap power with engines being plentiful if it goes bang in my opinion.
If all you want is 200-250bhp in an E30 though an M52b28 with cams, M50 inlet and few bits is very hard to beat given then engine weighs about the same as a 318is engine though and with just those few bits the engines are very reliable if you start with a good one.
Manifolds are handy enough too, compared to the S50 ones anyway. Did first one three years ago and now has M50 inlet, bbtb, re-map and S52 cams and it pulls very well.
He was thinking of a supercharger but reckons its enough as is since its just a Motorsport cab and a road car.
For Irish tracks, the 4L V8 is still probably the best option though for value. Even if you did go for mad power with a turbo M50, the car might not be any better competitively due to the E30 having a shit back axle for traction. You'll make loads of smoke and go sideways alright but could be a snappy prick of a thing especially coupled with some turbo lag and probably will be difficult to keep up with other cars.
Rear axle can be improved with abit of work but if your going that far, probably wouldn't be here deciding between M30s and M50s :D
That adapter plate looks like a good piece of kit. Much handier for gearboxes anyway especially if its a drift car as even the V8 5 speeds or E39 M5/E46 M3 6 speed box will eventually start to act up and your out of pocket again.
If it was a road car, easy choice would be the 6 speed box as it can make the car so much faster with a good choice of gearing.
you really seem yo know your stuff when it comes to bmws
ive seen a few of your builds over on bmw driver (not a member just creapin) :)
ive a few questions for ya
i bought a e36 328i this year to do a few track days in,and cought the bug
i want to get a bit more serious next year tho, was looking to get a cage fitted etc but my car is stink red rotten with rust and wouldnt justify the expense
so my attention turned to buying an m3, but there is nothing out there for reasonable money
this leads to my first question, is there a reason why all the pro m3s in ireland are s50b30's and not s50b32's is the latter less reliable or whats the reason?
i would love to do the v8 conversion but the more i look into it the less atainable it seems
so im back to my 328 single vanos
and the questions start
where did you get your ecu remaped?
what does the bbtb come of? or is it am
will ebay manifolds do the job?
s52 cams where does a man get these?
what power can i expect with all this done?
also what ratio diff would you recommend in 1 for drifting ( it has a 318i diff atm)
sorry for plaguein you with questions but i cant make a decision on what to do
you can barely get somebody to map an S50 with a set of cams here while most decent tuners should be able to manage a non-vanos M50 and a turbo.
If it's so easy to manage m50 turbo, and so many people can do it, why I never heard of any around here? Can you show me some links or videos of properly running irish build m50 turbo with some dyno charts? I'm not acting smart Dave and I'm not being offensive, but IMO opinion it's way to much hassle. You are not going to tell me that those turbo'd engines are easy to maintain like N/A engines (especially if it must be cheap cause OP doesn't want to spend crazy money on his project).
After going through all costs with people who building them, it was cheaper for me to buy complete rusty m3 evo, all service parts, clean rust free and road legal e36, suspension, bucket seats, harnesses, wheels and half cage and I still have some funds left. All at cost of turbo'd m50 engine only.You can do that cheaper for sure but how long this engine will work?
DaveM-sport
01-11-12, 12:07
I'm not saying its a walk in the park but if a tuner is worth his salt should be able to tune a turbo 2.5 six cylinder on some form of engine management.
I agree, there isn't many M50 turbo engines or to be honest not many relatively standard M50s mapped in Ireland but there's feckall S50s done properly too really and standalone management costs far more for them if you want a lot more power.
S50 is the obvious choice for an E36 and especially an Evo as the whole car is ready to go and you can easily get upto 340bhp without too much work but fitting an S50b32 into an E30 is quite abit more work. Exhaust manifolds are a complete pain and you need to get a new M50 oil-pump, E34 sump, moving the brake servo over etc.
If you want around 300bhp which is probably more than enough for any track in Ireland, the S50 is brilliant. V8 could possibly be cheaper when everything is done and fitted in an E30 but my point was just if you want alot of power 400+ from an BMW engine for relatively little money, an M50 turbo is hard to beat.
I prefer NA too in fairness and I'd nearly go to the trouble of getting an S85 before turboing an M50 or any other engine but its just a point I was trying to get across :)
You sir are definitely know your shit ;) I'd say I'll have to pay you a visit with my slut someday. You do alphaN? What's the other options for s50b32? Would you pm me prices please?
Sorry for going off topic.
where do people get ews delete done on there ecus?
where do people get ews delete done on there ecus?
I'm sure that DaveM-sport will sort you out ;)
where do people get ews delete done on there ecus?
e30zone.net a member called DanThe does it
very interesting all this so whats the best car to look out for the complete conversion,is 540 740 the way to go
very interesting all this so whats the best car to look out for the complete conversion,is 540 740 the way to go
740 are ALL auto so i would look towards 540s and you might be lucky and find a manual
Easier will be to find 530i V8 manual (92+), and get the donor engine on its own.
But engine must be m60 (e34 540i, e32 740i or e38 740i 95&96 only).
DaveM-sport
05-11-12, 16:47
And can also rip the 530 lump down to the bare engine an block and things so it makes test fitting and doing the manifolds much easier.
Then when all done, lift it out, bin it and put the proper V8 in :)
Will send a pm your way later on when I'm home, Lucius.
damodeane - any interest in this: http://www.driftireland.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32858
a bit steep money wise for me mate
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.