E30 V8 engine conversion (540i V8 4.0/4.4)

LLuke@bmwe30.net · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 11:07 PM

Does anyone have more info on this? It only weighs 11 pounds more then the 3.2 M3 engine so it wouldn't weigh down the front end too much. In fact, with a fiberglass hood and fenders you could probably keep the front and rear balance the same.

I know most believe the 3.2 M3 engine is the way to go but I want to do something different. Also, bimmerworld sells 4.0 V8's for as little as $2,000! That's a great deal!

Tnucu · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 11:17 PM

the V8 4.0 pulls like a mother f*cker, and that was in a automatic car i was in! that enigne is insane, worth trying to see if it can be done.

Dinan540i · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 11:24 PM

Ryan, where are you?

RyanM3 gets mad when he sees me doing 125mph in 4th gear since he cruises at 4,500 rpm at around 90 in fifth.

Ryan, it's time for the conversion, it'll compliment your new Carreras nicely.

mrsha007 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 11:27 PM

nice idea. this sounds wayyyyyyyy WAY better then the turbo m20 idea.

Digitalwave · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2002, 07:37 AM

I know I have seen pictures of it done before but I don't have any morei info. It has to be possible.

Derek 350i · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2002, 08:30 AM

This is a quote from gmonsen from a different thread:

Gentlemen, as I said there are quite a few of these M62 V8 E30 cars running in Europe. From what I have been told by a fellow named Wietse Wullink in Colorado, it fits without any cutting, though the master cylinder and a few other things get moved to the glovebox/underdash areas. The V8 is actually shorter than the 2.5 Six. The width of the V8 is greater, but it apoparently requires no cutting of the fenders to get it in.

I have no idea how to contact him.

Derek 350i · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2002, 09:39 AM

Man, I didn't realize you could pick up an 8 that cheap. One question on the gearbox. How much is a used 6 speed? I know you wouldn't put an auto in it, and I don't know if the M3 5speed will bolt up and/or handle the torque of a V8. Anyone know??

dave92ic · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2002, 10:50 AM

If I do an engine swap, I think I will go with the 4.0 v8. There was a discussion on the difference between the 4.0 and the 4.4 a while ago on one of the other boards. I don't remember the specifics, but I know there were reasons that made the 4.0 a better engine to use. Perhaps the 4.4 has a lower redline..? I don't remember.

Although you can pick these motors up for a decent price, I guarantee it will cost much more to install than the inline 6. With the I6 swap, many of the components bolt right up. For the ones that don't, you have tons of information available on what to do. This is not the case with the v8.

It would be an awesome project, just don't look at the price of the motor and think it will be an inexpensive deal. You need to be prepared to give a very large sack of money to a qualified shop for the install

I keep waffling about whether or not to spend more money on the M20 or to do a swap. Right now I am having too much fun playing with the M20, so I think I will continue with it. I will continue with the intake mods, then look into a turbo system. This is also nice since the wiring stays the same, I get to keep my A/C, etc...
When I tire of my modded M20, I can sell it and put the money into the motor swap.

Dave

LLuke@bmwe30.net · #9 (**permalink**) 02-04-2002, 12:50 PM

If the compression test checks out, the plan is to finish what I started...that is build an m20 with every possible bolt on modification.

I'll add the BAV headers (no cat), split second MAF, and dyno tune the car. If this gets me to 200 crank hp or more I will probably keep the m20 in the car for a while. If this doesn't get me to at least 200 crank hp, I am going to rip that piece of shit out of my car the second I get enough money to do SOMETHING.

See the above THREAD for some of the options I'm considering.

EEE21M · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2002, 04:40 AM

The guy dropping the E30 M20 2.5 into my E21 323i is just about to drop a 4.4L V8 into an E30, he has also made a twin throttle body set up for the M20 motor which, when i save up for it, will be getting.
He also had an M20 with a blower on it, and E30 with a 3.5L 6 in it and is putting a turbo charged 3.2L M3 motor into an E36. He was going to put a 750iL V12 into an e36 sedan but the owner decided on the turbo M3 motor.
The twin throttle bodies will respond well to a super charger I think

Dinan540i · #11 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dave92ic
If I do an engine swap, I think I will go with the 4.0 v8. There was a discussion on the difference between the 4.0 and the 4.4 a while ago on one of the other boards. I don't remember the specifics, but I know there were reasons that made the 4.0 a better engine to use. Perhaps the 4.4 has a lower redline..? I don't remember.

Although you can pick these motors up for a decent price, I guarantee it will cost much more to install than the inline 6. With the I6 swap, many of the components bolt right up. For the ones that don't, you have tons of information available on what to do. This is not the case with the v8.

It would be an awesome project, just don't look at the price of the motor and think it will be an inexpensive deal. You need to be prepared to give a very large sack of money to a qualified shop for the install

I keep waffling about whether or not to spend more money on the M20 or to do a swap. Right now I am having too much fun playing with the M20, so I think I will continue with it. I will continue with the intake mods, then look into a turbo system. This is also nice since the wiring stays the same, I get to keep my A/C, etc...
When I tire of my modded M20, I can sell it and put the money into the motor swap.

Dave

The two engines are nearly identical and the 4.4 has been more reliable, but that's mostly due to the nikasil debacle with the M60. Power wise, the 4.4 merely has 29 lb-ft more torque, but it probably costs more. A chip alone can make up the difference, if you've never heard an M60 at full howl you're in for a big treat.

As for only 2gs a piece, that has to be rebuilt or something similar.

M3 Ryan · #12 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 11:21 AM

I ride with nick all the time, and he has a K&N Cone, and every time he steps on it we giggle like little children at the mean sound it makes.

The 4.0 Rips like a mutha fuka too, and I can only imagine it in a 2800 lb. E30 body.

Nick can do about 132 in 4th gear, redlining... and its a 6 speed, so there is pleanty of go left... but if you are like nick and have a 130 mph top speed limiter, it makes this tough

I would be interested in doing this conversion if all the parts were available, brackets and everything. I just need an E30 to do it into, becuase there is no way I would ditch an S14 for a M60. but mabye thats thats just me.

Lowen · #13 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 03:11 PM

i have a junked E30 4 door 91 that is a prime candidate for something like this..but im wondering about the ancillaries..how much is a comp and drivetrain going to cost .. i know somebody that will be able to make this work but im not sure if i have enough for the initial investment.

BimmerSteven · #14 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 06:34 PM

The car to do it to is a sedan. Really enjoy those high speed cruising limits with the larger car/chassis of a 4-door.

danpinder · #15 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 07:28 PM

Here's some info. I had once looked into this idea, and decided against it. Better results can be had from a turbo m30 (cheap), or an m50 at less cost.

The problem with the V8 is the install. The tranny tunnel has to be reconstructed aparently. Rad mods of cource.. and many other obsticles.

The 4.0 is aparently the best choice as is revvs much more freely and is more apropriate for a lighter vehicle such as the e30.