BMW 318i
TECH Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 438
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Do a search for the discussion on the LS1 M3 e30 conversion.
If you got the car for cheap and have a MIG welder and Plasma Cutter go for it.
I also put a M30 "Big Six" in an e21 320i which is a lower cost alternative to the LS1. You'll have about 200 RWHP, 210RWTQ. All 210RWTQ is available from about 800 RPM. Throw a turbo on it from a 745 (Parts about $300 on ebay or get the whole engine from Ireland Enginnering for abou t$1000) and you get about 300 to 350 hp depending on how you adjust boost.
If you got the car for cheap and have a MIG welder and Plasma Cutter go for it.
I also put a M30 "Big Six" in an e21 320i which is a lower cost alternative to the LS1. You'll have about 200 RWHP, 210RWTQ. All 210RWTQ is available from about 800 RPM. Throw a turbo on it from a 745 (Parts about $300 on ebay or get the whole engine from Ireland Enginnering for abou t$1000) and you get about 300 to 350 hp depending on how you adjust boost.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3
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From: Bothell, WA
But those kits are for e36's I've checked out those sites before, and they're all aimed at e36 conversions. (crud)
I'm in exactly the same situation as 1998TA__1991RS. I've just got a line on a good 325 e30, but I want to seriously increase the horsepower without heading toward a S50/52 engine swap or rebuilding and turboing a M50/M20.
I'm still searching the archives...maybe I'll get lucky with some guidance.
I'm in exactly the same situation as 1998TA__1991RS. I've just got a line on a good 325 e30, but I want to seriously increase the horsepower without heading toward a S50/52 engine swap or rebuilding and turboing a M50/M20.
I'm still searching the archives...maybe I'll get lucky with some guidance.
TECH Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 438
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You can make it fit without a "recipe". Get a junk block or one of those plastic mockups. Set it in there and use the stock mounts on the block and weld some tubing to from the crossmember to the mounts. Make sure you have angle right from the motor to the differential.
You will probably need a front sump "Holden" oil pan to clear the crossmember and put the engine down low enough. You will also need custom (ized) header(s) to clear the rack and pinion, a custom one peice drive shaft and a beefy LSD differential from another BMW . The half shafts and CV joints you have are fine.
That's the minimum. If you want to move the engine further back then you will have to cut/massage the firewall and transtunnel.
Here are some photos. This is an e12 but the engine bay is about the same. I used an e30 rack and pinion inplace of the OEM steering box.
http://photobucket.com/albums/a358/redmistmotorsports/
You will probably need a front sump "Holden" oil pan to clear the crossmember and put the engine down low enough. You will also need custom (ized) header(s) to clear the rack and pinion, a custom one peice drive shaft and a beefy LSD differential from another BMW . The half shafts and CV joints you have are fine.
That's the minimum. If you want to move the engine further back then you will have to cut/massage the firewall and transtunnel.
Here are some photos. This is an e12 but the engine bay is about the same. I used an e30 rack and pinion inplace of the OEM steering box.
http://photobucket.com/albums/a358/redmistmotorsports/
Originally Posted by jcochran
I've checked out those sites before, and they're all aimed at e36 conversions. (crud)
I'm in exactly the same situation as 1998TA__1991RS. I've just got a line on a good 325 e30, but I want to seriously increase the horsepower without heading toward a S50/52 engine swap or rebuilding and turboing a M50/M20.
I'm still searching the archives...maybe I'll get lucky with some guidance.
I'm in exactly the same situation as 1998TA__1991RS. I've just got a line on a good 325 e30, but I want to seriously increase the horsepower without heading toward a S50/52 engine swap or rebuilding and turboing a M50/M20.
I'm still searching the archives...maybe I'll get lucky with some guidance.
I've got an M44 for sale that is running strong if you want it. You can turbo/supercharge it for an easy 200-220 rwhp, nowhere near an LS1 but still more than stock.
