m47.....

[jakeb]

I know this is odd but I was wondering if anyone knew much about the m47 and if it would be a possible swap into an e30?

I have been looking at getting a diesel but at the same time enjoy e30s. I checked German eBay and a m47 doesn't go for all that much, minus getting it to the states.

Seems like the small bmw diesels will do 50mpg and can be tuned for 150hp+ and over 200ft/tq.

Does anyone know what block it is based off of? What trans will mount to it?
Are they electronically controlled like the VW tdi or do they have a mechanical pump? I would assume electronically.

Does anyone know of some good resources for them?

jake

[christophbmw]

I did a post on it awhile back:

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2006

Also, they do not need to be tuned to get 200 ft.pnds. of torque, their stock rating is like 214.

[jakeb]

thanks, do you know if the standard m42 trans would bolt up to it?

I love my m42 but I also like the thought of having my e30 with its suspension work but a diesel for the torque and econ. It is my DD and I have no reason to sell it. But my m42 is nearing 180k and starting to use more oil.

I would have to get something imported from EU....

[gearheadE30]

Not sure about the tranny, but I do know that it costs an arm and a leg and sometimes a kidney to import anything to the U.S. A friend imported a 1991 euro 318i Touring, which he got for about $3k. Last I heard the car cost almost another $10k to leagalize it. New gauges, american exhaust, something with the suspension, the list went on and on. Maybe an engine is different, but the reasone that America doesn't get all of the engines is because carmakers can't afford to leagalize them.

[jakeb]

I think becasue it is just a part then it can be imported as parts and you don't have to go through everything. I know a lot of people buy half cuts of toyota diesels to swap into US toyotas here.

So I think that would be a way around it. As I think about it tho...it would take many many years of use to actually off set the cost of doing the swap.

It is still an interesting swap tho that I will research.