The 3.6L e30 project

[jcbe34]

The evolution of my e30:

Acquired it from my dad, it had been that extra family car that just sits in the garage for 6 years without being used. If the odo hadn't broken in that time I would know exact mileage but it traveled between 3500-5000 miles since 2003. Not good. We started autocrossing it a couple years ago so at that time it got the token e30 suspension upgrades- H&R's with bilsteins, poly bushes all around, RD sways, TD pro race 1.2's with R comps. It did alright like this, but I mean, look at it:o:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/3603849389_e2717ec039_o.jpg

So, I really enjoyed driving the e30 and really wanted to dive further into it but my problem was I had another project that I was heavily involved in $$ wise, my e34:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/3231905945_8eec42be63_o.jpg

It was a pretty well put together car, pretty straight body, cheap coilovers and a 10.5:1 CR 3.6l m30 that sounds like this:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/th_DSCF2541.jpg (http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/?action=view&current=DSCF2541.flv)

The e34 was great, it really was, but it was just too heavy to have that much $$$ tied up in the motor and the e30 is just much nicer overall (no rust, very few dings, all original with no accidents). I pulled the engine/trans, sold all of my wheels along with everything else that was worth anything on the car (if you need any e34 parts let me know!!) and started working on the e30. We all know the H&R's weren't going to cut it so I went ahead and got Ground Controls full setup, then shortened the struts an inch and a half (in retrospect I would have gone with 2+ but maybe later)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3818476279_59abd2153e_o.jpg

Getting there, this is after coilovers but still with fatty R-comps:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3818477323_84d8f771c8_o.jpg

Couldn't really spin it down much because of the 225/50 RE-01R's so I went shopping for wheels and ended up with these:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3960768940_e963f9caf1_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/3960768952_3f00f4097d_o.jpg

Rode around like that for a little while but the m30 sitting on a stand in my garage was really testing my patience and I couldn't resist:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4215526975_49cb29c85b_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4216299336_75a775e561_o.jpg

And this is where I'm at right now, test fit went well and everything goes where it's supposed to:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/4224657316_fbcc8a1ea9_o.jpg

Pulling the motor back out tomorrow to spruce up the engine bay a little more, replace some power steering hoses and attach the tranny. I need to do some BFH work on the firwall so I can get the motor back as far as possible (this car is still going to be used hard) and possibly make enough room for my Stahl long tubes but I don't know if they're going to fit either way. Hopefully more updates by the weekend!

[Steinke]

Good luck with finishing the project.
I really like the 5 spoke wheels for the E30.

Why not a M/S52 swap though?

[jcbe34]

Good luck with finishing the project.
I really like the 5 spoke wheels for the E30.

Why not a M/S52 swap though?

Same amount if not more power than an s5x with this motor, more torque and it weighs right around the same thing. That and it didn't cost me anything

[micke_]

Nice project, what size tires are running on those azevs?:)

[theindustrialist]

Cool man. Gluck w/the build.

[kramerbuccs24]

Good luck and keep us updated, I love fast e30s

[jcbe34]

Thanks!

Nice project, what size tires are running on those azevs?:)

215/40's right now, a little too short for my taste but its what came on the wheels when I got them. I'm probably going to go with 225/40's next or may possibly trade for some 7.5's to run a staggered setup. Are those 225/45's on your KT1's?

I will try to keep updating regularly. Motor should be in this weekend but the next project, Megasquirt, will be starting soon after.

[micke_]

Are those 225/45's on your KT1's?

Thats just a photoshop I made, my car is not quite ready yet. But I do have a set of 16x9 KT1's with 205/40's:D

[slimadi]

Looking good keep it up or down rather look forward to the updates.:)

[WhiteStripes]

This should be sweet. Hopefull ythe long tubes will fit in there. Motor sounded good. God I love Lopey Bimmers :eyebrows:

[jcbe34]

This should be sweet. Hopefull ythe long tubes will fit in there. Motor sounded good. God I love Lopey Bimmers :eyebrows:

That was with the stock manifolds, the long tubes haven't been on this motor yet :eyebrows... I've pretty much decided that I'm going to make the long tubes fit, whatever it takes.. They look sooooo good on it and I'm sure they would sound great too

[M.Burroughs]

Glad to see you around Jonathan. Can't wait to see this car.

[e36cruiser]

Looks like a very clean e30 and from the looks of your e34 its going to be a great build.

[jcbe34]

Glad to see you around Jonathan. Can't wait to see this car.

Yeah man, thanks for those front page pics, makes me miss the e34 a bit. Congrats on the site btw, I like what you've got goin on over here. Hit me up next time you get down this way!

Looks like a very clean e30 and from the looks of your e34 its going to be a great build.

Thanks man :alright

[Logan]

Sick build.

This has really got me wanting to do a swap in my own e30.

The M30 sounds unreal!

See you around!

[bataangpinoy]

that e34 was nice. i remember when you and mike did that photoshoot before rusty got totalled. that pic in the gas station was awesome

[00bmw323]

nice build!

[euro e28]

good luck on your build. a friend of mine did this to his 4-door e30 and it's a blast to drive.

[evilstar]

soo soooo sick

[BeemerBuyer]

Looks great so far! Keep up the good work.

[Nit0]

Sick!

[87shark]

Your e34 is exactly how i want mine. Do you still have any hre's left?

[Somethingoosted]

this looks like money in my pants. i need an e30.

[Stolzy]

the e34 was one of my favs...keep it up

[EFFDBMX3]

sweet ass project, and i love that m30 sound need to know what exhaust your running!! sent u a pm

[jcbe34]

Your e34 is exactly how i want mine. Do you still have any hre's left?

nope sold them all.. Both the 504s and 505s are now scarred up :(

The exhaust in the video was a b&b triflow cat back with everything else stock

[Byron]

Looks sweet! How far down on the adjusters are you up front?

Lmk if you have any m30 swap questions; I've done 3 now.

[jcbe34]

Looks sweet! How far down on the adjusters are you up front?

Lmk if you have any m30 swap questions; I've done 3 now.

Probably a little less than 1/4" left to go down.


I do have some concerns with coolant hose routing, I think I'm going to run the e30 expansion tank now and I don't know what to use for the heater core. I was planning on running the e34 tank with all of the e34 hoses, which looked like it was going to work beautifully until I actually mounted the tank and realized it sits too high and will hit the hood. Doesn't the e30 m3 have a coolant resevoir on the front battery tray?

[Byron]

Yeah it does but that would be even harder to run lines to lol.

I'm running a late model expansion tank in my black car. I used the stock e34 hose from the thermostat housing to the heater core and where the hose curls up to meet the e34 tank I just adapted a piece of hose and ran it forward to the tank.

Depending on how far back you mount the engine you might be able to use an m42 radiator and use its built in expansion tank. I test fitted one with my mounts (Joe Funks) but the alternator was too close for my comfort. But my engine sits really far forward, so you may have different results.

[jcbe34]

Yeah it does but that would be even harder to run lines to lol.

I'm running a late model expansion tank in my black car. I used the stock e34 hose from the thermostat housing to the heater core and where the hose curls up to meet the e34 tank I just adapted a piece of hose and ran it forward to the tank.

Depending on how far back you mount the engine you might be able to use an m42 radiator and use its built in expansion tank. I test fitted one with my mounts (Joe Funks) but the alternator was too close for my comfort. But my engine sits really far forward, so you may have different results.


My engine is mounted pretty far back, but i already have an e28 radiator so I'll probably just stick with that. I guess my only choice is to run the e30 tank, have you had any problems bleeding the system with it?

[loxxrider]

Very nice, I love it and the way your M30 sounds!

Better get some vids when its done ;)

[Byron]

My engine is mounted pretty far back, but i already have an e28 radiator so I'll probably just stick with that. I guess my only choice is to run the e30 tank, have you had any problems bleeding the system with it?
Nah everyone complains about bleeding m30's but I've never had a problem.

My steps:
Raise the front of the car up so it looks like its doing a wheelie, fill the system with the bleeder screw out until coolant overflows the, uh, overflow or until it comes out the bleeder. Run it with the bleeder closed until it gets up to temp then shut it off and open the bleeder. Rinse and repeat :stickoutt. Squeeze the top hose while doing this too.

With the e30 tank, it helps to unhook it from the fender and raise it as high as you can because the e34 heater core lines and the bleeder have higher points in them than the m20 system did.

[jcbe34]

Nah everyone complains about bleeding m30's but I've never had a problem.

My steps:
Raise the front of the car up so it looks like its doing a wheelie, fill the system with the bleeder screw out until coolant overflows the, uh, overflow or until it comes out the bleeder. Run it with the bleeder closed until it gets up to temp then shut it off and open the bleeder. Rinse and repeat :stickoutt. Squeeze the top hose while doing this too.

With the e30 tank, it helps to unhook it from the fender and raise it as high as you can because the e34 heater core lines and the bleeder have higher points in them than the m20 system did.

Thanks man, I'll definitely give that a try. My temp sender or guage is on the fritz, so the bleeding issues I've heard about definitely worried me with the e30 tank.

I'll try to get a couple videos when it's done. I tried to put the drivetrain in it this past weekend but was owned by my cheap leveler that only has ~10" of travel. Going to try again this weekend, should have my headers back from the powder coating as well so I'll add a few pics

[jcbe34]

Well the motor and transmission are in the car finally, unfortunately I didn't have the right trans crossmember or selector rod so I'll be picking those up locally tomorrow. I did get something in the mail that I'm really excited about though:

A stock m20 ecu?:o
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4294844138_bb46d450c5_o.jpg

:devillook
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4294844844_9ac967d9f2_o.jpg

Plug n play megasquirt! No more closed loop at WOT so I can finally make the power that I should be making.

[Zic]

Oh nom nom, should be a very fun little car. Any more pictures of the progress?

[jcbe34]

Progress!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4298901533_6df2d5050e_o.jpg

Only got a little work done tonight, mainly just routing hoses and wiring. STILL waiting on my headers, hoping to get them first thing next week and I'm trying to sort the driveshaft dilemma, I thought I had what I needed but it's definitely not going to work.Going to try to pull the driveshaft out of my old e28 parts car thats been sitting in the back lot at work for 2 years or so, if I don't post again soon I was probably attacked by the hoard of rats that lives inside it, wish me luck!

[Jules_W]

Nice project , love your e30 !

[jcbe34]

Finally got everything bolted up after tons of small set backs... Now of course I can't get fuel or spark but no time to chase the gremlins because car goes in for exhaust tomorrow. when it gets back i'll get some sound clips, then cut/polish/seal and photos..

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4356860794_7cf1e82635.jpg

hmm.. This floor has a dip in the middle too for the drain. I already know I'm going to have problems with this
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4356114183_50b3aeefb5.jpg

Stay tuned for sound clips, i promise they won't disappoint

[schroedin]

I love those Azevs, nice work!

[frink84]

looks like a cool project. what did you do to get from 3.5 -> 3.6l?

[Token]

still waiting for a sound clip Johnathan
aha great project though

[aMisfit]

Gah, I love this car.

What wheels are those?

[jcbe34]

Finally got the thing moving under its own power after many small issues. Here's a quick vid before loading it onto the trailer to take it to the exhaust shop. I couldn't really rev it because, even though it doesnt sound like it in the video, it is unbelievably loud. Didn't want to piss off my parents neighbors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3hvrEAgYrM

The wheels are Azev A's and the motor is a euro bored b35 block with m90 pistons using the longer stroke of the b35, pretty heavily ported head, 290 cam, etc etc

[Token]

okay first thaat video dosent do that m30 any justice.. lol theres no bass so it just sounds like a damn mini lol

whats the final cr?

[Turbo2]

wow that thing is sick!!! i need to get an e30.

[dinanm3atl]

Yum. Super Yummy! Once I get mine all setup we have to take some photos!

[Puma]

Wow. Just wow. If I ever manage to get my hands on an e30 project, I'm deffo following your lead with the 5-spoke wheels. Looks amazing!

[EThirtySicks]

We're gonna need another video :shifty




put put put put putp utp ut puttputputputputputput

[Zic]

We're gonna need another video :shifty




put put put put putp utp ut puttputputputputputput

This :rofl

[Burn535i]

that this is definitely going to sound so mean with a nice throaty exhaust setup, keep up the good work

[jcbe34]

Forgot to update this thread but the car is finally finished, except for the megasquirt. I actually finished it a couple weeks earlier but I had a caliper come off and blow a hole in one of my Azevs. Got that all taken care of, changed it up with 225/45s instead of the 215/40s, and here is the car as it sits today:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4468488544_4fdd2f7027_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4467667231_4128cb9d50.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4467664169_1d1dd76f15_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4468435174_be7ef083c7_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4468432488_a07486860c_o.jpg

[jcbe34]

Oh and here are a few short, lowish RPM clips. Some better stuff coming soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2ybBCoxZ68&feature=related

[Byron]

Sweet! How's that thing feel in the e30?

Stanceworks e30 m30 5 spoke club? :shifty

[mo diesil]

how costly did you find this motor swap? does it pull harder than an m/s 52 swap? are you still using the m20's getrag?

[mo diesil]

also hows the cooling system hold up?

[dinanm3atl]

how costly did you find this motor swap? does it pull harder than an m/s 52 swap? are you still using the m20's getrag?

We can find out soon. I am guessing close to M52 OBD1 but not as quick as an OBD1 S50/S52. Prolly quicker than an M50 E30.

[jcbe34]

Sweet! How's that thing feel in the e30?

Stanceworks e30 m30 5 spoke club? :shifty

It feels great, love the torque and it's a lot of fun around town with the 3.73

haha member #2!

how costly did you find this motor swap? does it pull harder than an m/s 52 swap? are you still using the m20's getrag?

also hows the cooling system hold up?

I'd say harder than m5x but not as hard as s5x, yet, I don't know what will happen when its tuned. Nope, m30 260/6. Cooling system is fine, those issues are a myth. I can see how people would have trouble bleeding the thing though, I had some tricky bubbles trapped back at the heater core.

We can find out soon. I am guessing close to M52 OBD1 but not as quick as an OBD1 S50/S52. Prolly quicker than an M50 E30.

It puts down 200/212 right now, with absolutely zero tuning. My friends car with a 9.5:1 cr and 90mm crank put down 230/250 to the wheels running autotronic SM2. Mine is an 86mm crank an 10.5:1 cr, so we'll see what it does with the megasquirt. But I'm guessing it'll be right around what a bolt on s5x would do, mid 220's but with more torque