Author Topic: US E36 m3 eng. to e30 (Read 7025 times)

rlhotka · « **on:** November 25, 2007, 02:55:49 AM »

Looked, looked and looked again does the e36 m3 engine fit into the e30 318i? I am a bit of a newbie here, so sorry if this is redundent. First post by me saying hello.

kowalski · « **Reply #1 on:** November 25, 2007, 12:26:58 PM »

ya, and there is a lot of info on it if you search r3v.

sheepdog · « **Reply #2 on:** November 25, 2007, 12:50:51 PM »

Also understand your car will also never drive the same.

Vladi · « **Reply #3 on:** November 25, 2007, 04:40:53 PM »

Yeah, you're gonna steer with the rear.

rlhotka · « **Reply #4 on:** November 25, 2007, 05:49:50 PM »

So your saying thats to much? I dont have a clue:confused: what swaps would you recomend, looking to get at least 220 230hp. I ALWAYS wanted an e46 M3 but dont wana spend a lifes fortune on a car. I just got out of the Marines 1 year ago and am going to school at UTI for diesel mechanic. Done soon and I love the way the e30 looks and that its so small and now days at a great price, but again I have no clue and didnt know what to type in the search area to get what I wanted. Sorry and Thanks

asubimmer · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2007, 07:08:52 PM »

yes it fits and the car does handle different but thats not a bad thing. I love how the 318 handles stock but w/ the e36 motor it still handles very well.

what are you plans for the car more than just power levels. Street, track, auto-x?

rlhotka · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2007, 10:13:38 PM »

Street, and auto-x. Was gona do a total res. new engine, turner motorsports sells a susp. kit, stripped interior. I was at PIR yesterday and there was 2 318i's one with a e36 325i engine, he said it had 5 series motor mounts and ebay header and then some.

Ohh do you mean handle different because of the extra weight in the front? What would you guys recomend for a swap? Like I said I'd like at least well over 200hp. SO glad this website is here, you guys know what your talking about and I'm clueless. THANKS

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #7 on:** November 25, 2007, 10:59:01 PM »

Quote from: rlhotka;38348

Street, and auto-x. Was gona do a total res. new engine, turner motorsports sells a susp. kit, stripped interior. I was at PIR yesterday and there was 2 318i's one with a e36 325i engine, he said it had 5 series motor mounts and ebay header and then some.

Ohh do you mean handle different because of the extra weight in the front? What would you guys recomend for a swap? Like I said I'd like at least well over 200hp. SO glad this website is here, you guys know what your talking about and I'm clueless. THANKS

If you dont want to build a 4banger and just want more power id recommend swapping a DOHC 6banger and you will hit 220 alot easier

Try this sight out

http://www.e3024v.com

rlhotka · « **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2007, 12:33:55 AM »

This seems overwelming, where do I start. Well I don't own a 318 yet, looking for one as soon as I start my new job, anyone on here do a 6 swap?

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2007, 09:43:39 AM »

you can pickup an e36 m3 off of e-bay for $9000 give or take a grand, doing the swap would probably end up being more because with the 318 you would have to get a large case differential so you could handle the power of the S50/S52 reliably, you would also have to get an E36 transmission and a custom drive shaft, not to mention engine mounts, transmission mounts, swapping the wiring harness, ecu, sensors, custom exhaust, stiffer shocks and springs, bigger sway bars etc., then after you do all that you need a larger fuel pump, and you have to figure out how to hook up all the gauges to the new engine and ecu. Another thing... the S52 engine is an OBD2 engine.

ApocolypseAutoEngineering · « **Reply #10 on:** November 26, 2007, 05:24:54 PM »

an easier and much cheaper swap would probably be a boosted m20. Thw m20 could handle a bit of power and all the parts would be cheaper. If anything get a 325i not the "e". Plus its super easy to turbo charge that motor with 8.1:1 compression and ford racing 36lb injectors and an M5 fuel pump. I've done it with 600 bucks and got over 300whp.

Personaly though I've owned both vehicles and find the 318i way more fun to drive and better balanced, its just needs a bit more of a kick in the rump to get going. If this isn't going to be your main form of tranportation and don't care as much about balance and handling like I do then go with the larger motor, but you may get the power feeling your looking for with some engine upgrades and gearing. Most people don't change gearing when upgrading but it definitely makes a huge difference depending on what your looking for. If you have anymore questions on what I'm trying to tell you just ask. I always like helping people out especially with the e30(man I love my car).

sheepdog · « **Reply #11 on:** November 26, 2007, 07:23:01 PM »

Quote from: Vladi;38334

Yeah, you're gonna steer with the rear.

Heavy front ends, tend to push going into the corner.

sheepdog · « **Reply #12 on:** November 26, 2007, 07:30:19 PM »

Quote from: rlhotka;38337

So your saying thats to much? I dont have a clue:confused: what swaps would you recomend, looking to get at least 220 230hp. I ALWAYS wanted an e46 M3 but dont wana spend a lifes fortune on a car. I just got out of the Marines 1 year ago and am going to school at UTI for diesel mechanic. Done soon and I love the way the e30 looks and that its so small and now days at a great price, but again I have no clue and didnt know what to type in the search area to get what I wanted. Sorry and Thanks

I am not saying the car will handle terrible, but it will not be as nimble. Our cars, you go fast into a corner, yank the wheel and the car follows, not so with a heavier engine. Unfortunately (sort of) we are plagued with an engine that weighs about 250 pounds (approx). An S14 adds 100 pounds, and S52 adds 250 pounds!

Now, we can compensate for 100 pounds on the front end. I have been doing research on this so I can do it myself, however an S14 is not a good motor for street use. The bad news is the best engines that we have to pick from are not BMW.

If you want more I can add it, but basically, there is no simple or cheap way to get good power and handling in our cars from BMW without spending a fortune.

nickmpower · « **Reply #13 on:** November 26, 2007, 07:45:28 PM »

the m50 engines do not add nearly as much weight as most people think, expecially if you can find and aluminum block 2.8

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=90486&highlight=weight

asubimmer · « **Reply #14 on:** November 26, 2007, 09:05:57 PM »

To be honest my car handles very very simmilar to how it did before the swap. I am using Korman's Clubsport suspension for an e30 m3. But a large factor is that I have done a lot of weight reduction to the front of the car. I weighed my car before and after the swap and its actually lighter now. Thats obv not due to the motor but to what I have removed from the car. My car is very neutral but I can bring the back end out whenever I want due to the increase in TQ, and keep it in when I want.

The 24v swap is not for everyone but it can be a good option. Depending on what you want to do w/ your car a turbo m42 may be a better option. I would steer clear from a m20 or m30 at all costs though.

I am considering picking up a 318ti really soon. It will be the DD but it might eventually get turbo'ed.

I guess it all comes down to what your plans are for the car and how good you are working on cars or writing checks.