Engine Swaps for e30?

[mikejungle]

What are common engine swaps for the e30 325i?

Once I wear out the transmission, i'd like to get an engine swap. The car's got 200,000 miles on it. If i do an engine swap with an engine with not too many miles on it, will the car last a whole lot longer or can it still break down?

I'd like to upgrade to a better engine, but with the least amount of modifications to it.

and how much would it cost to buy an engine and get it installed?

thanks

[getfast37]

One of the neatest things about an E30 is that you can put in anything you want, depending upon how much you want to spend! I've seen 'em with small block Ford V8's, 540i V8's, big sixes from earlier 535i's (M30), small sixes from later 325i's (M50), and the three later generations of M3 sixes of course (S50/S52/S54.)

Best all around E30 engine swap IMHO is an M50 from a later (E36 body) 325i. Cheap and easy, all things considered. Twincam, chain not belt, no valve adjustments, etc. Only like 189hp stock, but very reliable and easy to hop up (M3 cams, full exhaust, computer, etc) if you want more power (you will want more suspension and brakes to keep up with it though.)

'92 325i/is engines are non-VANOS, '93-'94 325i/is M50 engines are single VANOS. You can buy any of 'em used for $800-$2500 depending upon source. Probably best to get a whole wrecked car so you'll have the correct DME, wiring harness to cut from, etc. Anything '96 or later from the family, i.e. 328i/is or M3 3.2 power, is gonna be $2500 on up to $8k+ for the latest and greatest, and OBDII which means more difficult to swap.

And you are either gonna need a different transmission or a custom driveshaft to make any of the above choices fit, depending upon which way you go.

Excellent project regardless!

Hope it helps,

Jon
Edit: to answer your question of how much for a swap installed by a pro, you're looking at probably $3k-$10k depending upon how far you wanna go

[CassiesMan]

I've seen a few E30s with an SBC swap. That was some insane shit...

[KamilMk]

Originally Posted by CassiesMan

I've seen a few E30s with an SBC swap. That was some insane shit...

Don't tell me you saw that in real life... Just say it was the TV... Please.

[CassiesMan]

One on the net, one at the drag strip I went to. E30 M3, Cammed LS1 with some spray...that thing took off like a fucking bullet man. Insane.

[KamilMk]

Originally Posted by CassiesMan

One on the net, one at the drag strip I went to. E30 M3, Cammed LS1 with some spray...that thing took off like a fucking bullet man. Insane.

*drools*

Why did you do that to me?

[Gearhead202]

i dont know probably my personal favorite is watching a twin turbocharged v12 e30 on the dyno.