modz

So out came the grinder and dremel for a battery tray removal job. (Dremel's are a must have btw, they're awesome). I work on an 'it'll look worse before it looks better' philosophy with cars, having built a number of rust buckets up before. Once it was out I was STOKED (?!?!?!?) to find out that BMW had discontinued the battery tray replacement section, and that all suppliers showing stock actually had none / were on back order. Time to get the cardboard out....

And now the fun part. I had noticed the battery tray had some rust and bitumen patches had kindly been laid over it. Inspector screwdriver went for a look and discovered it was a mess of silicone, bitumen patches and more. Great.

Now I HATE dirty cars and parts. So, the engine bay received a nice pressure wash. Possibly the first it's ever had. I also spent over an hour with Simple green, a paint scraper and rags cleaning the old oil and crud off the underside of the frame rails and cross member. (pic shows the Before...)

After getting the engine on it's stand, cleaned, checked and painted, I figured I'd use the time waiting for parts to pull the old M40 lump and auto out Subsequently sold for the same price as I paid for the the M54B30 block winning!

First task was to drive it for a bit (was my daily for 2 months) and work out how to achieve the goal. I sold the tow bar (weight saving lol) and picked up an M54B30 that was set to be turbo'd by the previous owner. After getting it home I had the head crack tested, skimmed and valve seats checked and made an inventory of all that was needed. Queue the first of many, many boxes from FCP Euro!

Intro This is my 1989 BMW E30 coupe project. I've built cars my whole life, and this one is #68 of those I've owned. I'd spent 4 years pursuing a coupe, particularly a non-sunroof facelift version. I finally found this on Facebook and after a quick drive I bought it in December 2018. Prior to this was an E46 coupe that I ZF manual swapped - which was awesome, but plagued me with electrical headaches. So I wanted something simpler to work on, but with the same drivetrain....queue the E30! The Plan Originally it was going to be a facelift M3 body swap. After working out costs (even performing the bodywork myself), I moved to an Mtech2 goal However as this project has now cost way more than originally planned, I've subsequently sold the MTech2 kit to progress finishing it off as is and enjoy it. In a way it suits the original car better. It is / was a 318i base model, with only electric windows, a/c and pop out rear windows - a nice, simple car! I always wanted an M54B30 and ZF to go in it, so that's what's happened. Just, a little more complicatedly than expected.

I will be shortly, PM me

Cheers yeah been watching a fair few vids including 50skid to clue up on the job. Fun times

Thanks @Eagle I stupidly hadn’t looked closely at the filter. I can now see the return is built in. so the remaining question is just the charcoal canister. I’ve previously removed these and just left the fuel tank breather line where it is open in the bay. Never hurt before and I doubt a 30 year old charcoal canister is that effective lol

Prepping my e30 engine bay for the m54 and would like to confirm how others have done it please - Stock E30 fuel lines are still in place I'm using a M54/E46 330i fuel filter with regulator built in (3 ports: In, Out, vacuum) Supply: E30 supply line plumbed to fuel filter Inlet line: M54/E46 feed line to injector rail from fuel filter Tank breather: plumbed to PCV system next to throttle body Regulator vacuum: ?? E30 return line: ?? As the fuel filter is regulated, is the return even used? Charcoal canister: can this be removed?

Did you use a kit or just buy the time serts and drill / tap as required? thanks

Per title m52 single vanos rocker cover good Uncracker condition. Needs a clean $30

Anyone performed time sert (not helicoil) on a bmw block? im after a set to rent so I can get mine done this week. Had planned on getting the engine in the car this weekend but the block had other plans...

Bigger question is getting the M54 to work in your E36.... M52B28 would save you a pile of headache, make similar power and still bolt up to the above clutch/gearbox

@Herbmiester The ZF behind M5x is perfect (that's what E46 manual 330i/330ci's had). In terms of clutch and flywheel, you have the NZAD setup which is $800-1200, or what I did which was an RHD Engineering flywheel (single mass, lightweight cromoly), e28 M5 'M30' clutch from FCPEuro and a matching pressure plate sourced locally. All up $900 ish. The M30 spec flywheel and clutch are the 240mm clutch size, rather than the smaller m20 210mm size.

Managed to misplace 5 of the 12 head washers and want to get the head back on this week. Anyone have some spares off a wreck? Thanks

Bump. No one has one?

I looked at these when I was going to M60 my E30. Uses a ZF box https://www.pmcmotorsport.com/2,adapter-bmw-m60-m62-s62.html

Wanted to buy or borrow or hire a Dual Vanos timing tool to suit m54b30 Pref in Auckland but happy to pay tracked shipping each way to borrow a set. Please PM me if you can assist Thanks

I have one, complete exhaust from firewall back. Pm me

You may be better to buy the e30 m60 off trademe, keep the parts you need and sell the rest. By the time you bring in all the parts needed etc. Gearbox alone will be $2000+ factoring in freight, tax and duty.

I've got one - https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2249519495

Does anyone have dual vanos timing locker kit I could borrow (M54)? Thanks

I have an engine brace for hire if anyone needs. In Howick Auckland. PM me if you want to borrow

There was a tech steering wheel on Facebook marketplace the other night