RipJaws

Yes same applies, all the m5x engines have basically the same blocks, so the mounts, sump and gearbox options are the same as m50/m52.

M54 gets harder with a more complicated ECU, wiring and things like electronic throttle. There are many ways around it (OBD1 swap). Good luck

Thanks heaps for passing on the knowledge. I've looked into flashing the ecu so we'll see how that goes. As long as i get all the mechanical fundamentals done in a timely manner at a good cost i don't mind battling with the electronics for a while. The extra torque and hp made it seem like a more worth while transplant.

The choices of engines have been making my head spin the last couple of days. I think as long as im doing something like changing the motor, may as well make it as worth while as i can and im not keen on a v8 so whoever can give me the best deal on an M54B30 ill have that.

Does anyone know if m54 still needs the same sump and the getrag trans from a m42 will still fit?

Cheers.

This basically covers off everything you need.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Engine_Swap_-_M5x

I used to have an e30 I was interested in doing this to and just remembered it needed a different sump so thanks for correcting me.

Thanks for the info Ahmed, I will keep that in mind mate. Cheers

Wow Will, a wealth of knowledge. Thanks for passing it on. I think between you and Ahmed you have made up my mind for me. It seems much easier just to go for a m52b28 and be done with it. Much cheaper too it seems. The easy part seems doing the job the hard part finding the stuff and getting the right motor for what you want at a good price.

Ok I need that then, basically I need someone to sell me all the stuff I need for it and I'll figure the rest out. I'd be keen on a M54B25 or B30 for the right price as well anything in that area considered.

Hi there,

I want to install a m52 or m54 into my e30. So i need everything associated with that apart from mounts (+/-) A/C stuff. m20 325i sump too.

If anyone has a m5X manual transmission package I'd be interested too. Cheers.

Well whatever this car is or is not I think I've been lucky and got something quite nice and unique. I will be fixing up that bumper the first chance I get and giving the car a full once over in the mechanical department as the fella I got it from said its up for a good service. I guess a manual tranny could only increase value for a car like this so I'll be sourcing one in the future, if anyone has one or a couple of e 30 fog lights I'd be interested.

Ahh so there is an 'official' AC Schnitzer type e30 out there with M20B25? Possibly a few ACS type additions to the motor also? I think I remember seeing an M20 ACS valve cover at some point although I could be wrong.

Yes the car is Jap import. I suppose that explains the larger plate holder at the rear. Well its a good thing that whoever selected the ACS type additions did it properly and bought all of them by the looks of things.

So does anyone have an idea of the value of a car like this? Is this set up harder to come by than a car with an M tech 2 body kit? Also I haven't seen many e30's without a sun roof. Is that a rare thing?

Here are a few photos of the car.

I get where you guys are coming from on that point but its somehow unlikely to me, it looks like its been set up on some type of non stock suspension that looks really good from an outside perspective and it handles really nicely too. The pin striping and ACS logos on the quarter panels don't seem like a dealer would just be able to go and stick them on. I'm getting someone to take a few photos of the car for me so I can show it which will give a better idea. But I guess, 318i with dressed up ACS bits from the factory seems a little curious.

Photos to come.

Yes that probably would have helped a bit, unfortunately I'm that busy I can't take a photo of my exact car. It is Zinnoberrot Red with no sun roof and it looks exactly the same as this with the AC Schnitzer body kit, 5 point star wheels, badges and pin stripes. The interior is a basic non leather one (yet everything on the car is very tidy) but the steering wheel is a racing type and not original.

http://www.rtsauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ac-schnitzer.jpg

I have a 1988 B.M.W. M20B20 with 217,XXXKms. Comes complete with injectors, intake, head, block, sump. Distributor cap and rotor has some corrosion on the contact points so these won't be any good.

It came out of a running car.

I also have other parts and an auto 4 speed gear box I can throw in if you want them.

.

Great advices. I have found it really hard trying to decide what to buy and how much to spend. You really have to think about what you want from the car and how much time/money you can give in to it. I still have the 320i which is now manual but from very early on I have wanted an M5X motor. Now I have a low K's M20 coupled with manual transmission, in a car that is too low at the rear with camber I just want to sell the whole lot on and start over doing what I wanted properly.

I'm not sure if I could be happy with a 2 Door but anything will be considered at this stage. I know that the fibre glass m tech 2 kits are more readily available for 2 doors so that is a huge plus.

The prospect of your 316i sounds interesting Andy. I'm actually headed down Wellington way on the 30th, if it looks good from the trademe perspective would it be okay to pop around for a look?

Mine cost me $5800 but it has 65,000ks on the clock and its mint inside and out. You could get one for under $3k in good nick surely?

Holy smokes that is big money, it does look to be in very excellent nick though. With those wheels on its looking even better too. Was it completely standard when you bought it?

Does it have to be a 316? If you are going to put in a m52/54 then to me, it doesn't really matter. I would just be looking for a mint 4 door.

Good point, I guess it doesn't but my theory was that any 316i's out there would be relatively less desired than say a 318i or the 325i. So I thought I may get one for cheaper this way + the engine which is at the lower end of power in which these cars came with would be getting swapped straight away anyway. I guess Skeets gone and blown that theory out of the water though with his car ha, still a very tidy example and I know these cars can be worth a lot in good condition.

I have been in deliberations with myself to sell on my 320i.

When the time is right later on I would like to make a purchase on a nice facelift four door 316i. Ideally a standard one with no rust and in generally great condition. My question was, how much are these things worth? I would prefer it to be a 1990 but Km's don't really even matter as I would want to change the engine to an M54 or M52.

Thanks for any advice.

Wow these look absolutely stunning. I've only recently checked this thread out but if there is another order I will take a pair please. I guess I just subscribe to this thread or keep checking back? Cheers

Check your reinforced rubber steering bushing. I had my one recently replaced and before I did I had a steering shake or wobble at high speed. Now its really nice and tight.

any number plate shrouds? wide euro one im after

Sorry, I need a price on here so I will start at $3000

Over working on my car and not really in a position to keep taking it to pieces which is a real shame. It has only recently become apparent to me how much I just need to have a cheap run about instead of using my project car as a means to get from A to B so hence why I am seriously but reluctantly going to try to sell this.

I have spent some hours on it so I wouldn't be happy with just giving it away so if I don't get the right price I will just hold on to it and probably park it up somewhere until I can be bothered to take the project back on and get it really nice, that may be some time though.

I thought I might have a couple of decent pictures of it lying around but only this at the moment:

The body work is pretty good although there are a few scratches here and there, the paint on the roof and the rear doors back has faded.

It has a new engine with 132,xxx Kms on it.

Radiator is new

Engine oil recently done

Brake rotors have been resurfaced

Power steering fluid

Steering bushing replaced

New Brake fluid

New gear box oil

converted to manual (Getrag 240)

Crackless dash in great condition.

Battery retro fit relocated to boot

2 sets of wheels, tires.

Lowered rear suspension and camber (untastefully low, not done by me. Not sure about the front)

Sub, amp, 6x9's and head unit

I will try and get some better pictures and some more information if anyone on here is actually interested. I thought I would start on bimmersport as I have the old engine and some spare parts I wouldn't mind getting rid of with the car if it does sell. So an enthusiast might be after the whole lot who knows.

Anyway cheers.

what are the door cards like are they leather? Also after the leather gear shift boot and its bracket in good cond if youve got it

I like how it says "Money" down the bottom of the second photo. It seems it wants some to be thrown at it to please it, before you can get navigation

So I can be completely certain that 8 gauge cable won't carry all the current I need? I need to be sure because I rang JayCar about taking the stuff back I bought and they don't seem to good about me returning cable off the reels. He was confident I would be right with the stuff he recommended so if they have a problem with that I will just make that clear I guess.

Cool! let me know if you need any pointers! pretty easy to d just time consuming. Toughest part is poking it through from firewall, especially if dash is in place.

Cheers mate I might come back when I have the right stuff for it if I get hung up on routing all the bits.

Wow, okay thank you so much guys. The main thing I was worried about was getting enough power and the right type of cable down the length of the car.... So even though the negative screws into the driver side strut and grounds with some other cables that come from inside the cabin through the fire wall I can still just have a short earth at the boot?? What happens to those other cables screwed into the strut tower?

I don't know a lot about cable gauges or anything so I was trusting the guy at Jay Car to see me right. Hopefully I can get a refund for the cable I bought. I'm going to get the retro fit kit off Mark I think.

Cheers all

I have a retro fit here if you're interested

Okay that seems interesting, I will give you a text Mark. I was supposed to the other day when I was looking for a bleeder screw and that caliper spring. I got caught up so I'll contact you in the next day or so. Cheers.

And yeah I agree Andy it does seem a little pointless but I kept that in mind. Its annoying knowing my battery is sliding around on every corner lol.

I have all these expensive cables! agh what a waste