e30 converted to 3.5 M30 engine
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My 3.0L stroker makes alot more torque than the M30B35 and it is by no means too much for the E30 chassis.
IMHO, the M30 is just too heavy of an engine though. Unless it's just a track car where you could gut all the non-essentials (ie, a/c, etc) then it would just be too nose heavy.
If you just machine an S50B30 crank and buy some custom pistons along with other bits, then you'll have as much or more power than the 3.5L big six with the same weight of the M20B25.
A
Alvin
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What is your target & budget? That should be the question first. Horsepower is not cheap. Torque is even more costly. If you are targeting like 300bhp NA then be prepared to spend more than 20k or so just for the engine. Then you would need to upgrade your brakes & handling.
wirelessjunkie
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Check out the Alpinas as the E30 did have a 3.5l.
Iqlima
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E34EuroTouring
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Putting a Big Six M30 engine will make a E30 chassis very front heavy. It will completely upset the balance of this car for sure. I seen somewhere in Germany once, someone put a E39 M5 engine in there. That 400HP V8. Its heavy and will do similar thing.
I guess a S50B30 or S50B32 would be a better fit. In weight terms, it will be about 40-50kgs more. Considering it needed a bigger Diff, this will add weight at the rear, possibly bigger brakes all round, so 53:47 weight distribution is possible.
Me: I am just puzzled why BMW never put a S50B30 or S54B32 in the E34 and call it a 5-Series Sports Special. Not M but just SS for differentiation. However, these days with the new 3 liitre N54 engine, its decent 256HP output will be sufficient for the E60, before going the V8 route as in the 545. Germans liked the 545 but the tax is just a killer like in many european countries and most asian countries. Roadtax here , bro.
I guess a S50B30 or S50B32 would be a better fit. In weight terms, it will be about 40-50kgs more. Considering it needed a bigger Diff, this will add weight at the rear, possibly bigger brakes all round, so 53:47 weight distribution is possible.
Me: I am just puzzled why BMW never put a S50B30 or S54B32 in the E34 and call it a 5-Series Sports Special. Not M but just SS for differentiation. However, these days with the new 3 liitre N54 engine, its decent 256HP output will be sufficient for the E60, before going the V8 route as in the 545. Germans liked the 545 but the tax is just a killer like in many european countries and most asian countries. Roadtax here , bro.
A
Alvin
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Well the 3.5L is also about 50kg more than a M20B25. The S50/S52 started sometime in 1994 ~ 1995. E34 almost dead then. No point to do a SS. If you do the research, Hartge's H35 with the BBK handles quite well. So i really do not believe that the extra weight is a problem. What you would need to do is really get the suspension settings right? Yes the the S50 is about 50kg more but it will definately not upset the handling at all! Its how you you do it & how much you are willing to spent!
Hmmmm wonder how i know????
Hmmmm wonder how i know????
teejay
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wah , wah ,wah.........racun king, spreading virus ka!!!!
not only the H35, but Alpina B6, B10 as well
the H35 had an uprated suspension making weight distribution as stock as possible, aslo there was the heavier gearbox that went in tomake center heavier to compensate for weight increase in the front
the tuners had engine position different from the M20 engines and additional re-inforcement in the rear for obvious reasons
talking about balance, it is very critical in race track applications, but do we see H35, B6 in most race tracks?
most of the monsters we see are for normal road applications, with some spirited driving, but i guess we really can't say much until we drive a 3.5L .....
not only the H35, but Alpina B6, B10 as well
the H35 had an uprated suspension making weight distribution as stock as possible, aslo there was the heavier gearbox that went in tomake center heavier to compensate for weight increase in the front
the tuners had engine position different from the M20 engines and additional re-inforcement in the rear for obvious reasons
talking about balance, it is very critical in race track applications, but do we see H35, B6 in most race tracks?
most of the monsters we see are for normal road applications, with some spirited driving, but i guess we really can't say much until we drive a 3.5L .....
A
Alvin
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Who racun king ar? me not know anything. Just think that if the hartges or Alpinas has it with their research n all, it should be ok. my 320i is not even close to these fellas. 
So who wants to start this project?
So who wants to start this project?
teejay
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ya lor......
your 320i not close to these monsters......
coz you left them far, far,far behind mar........kekekekek!!!!!!
there are a few writeups on these monsters, including the SA 333i, alittle research can bring loads of info.......but the racun king has it all in his head........
your 320i not close to these monsters......
coz you left them far, far,far behind mar........kekekekek!!!!!!
there are a few writeups on these monsters, including the SA 333i, alittle research can bring loads of info.......but the racun king has it all in his head........
wirelessjunkie
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I doubt that the extra weight is the major issue like Alvin out it. Otherwise Alpina wouldn't have loaded the M3 with the 3.5l engine. If you are concerned with the car being nose heavy and heavily understeering, just get much stiffer springs for the front end and setup the car for more oversteer..Some extra power can do wonders to the car. Somehow, if you are unsure, go for the 2.7l conversion. It's plenty for the E30.
Trying to balance a car out with stiffer springs in the front is really not a solution.........the best handling car will have 50/50 weight distribution and throwing an appx 60kg heavier engine in will definitely upset the E30's near 50/50 weight distribution.
As I previously mentioned though, you can gut the engine bay of all non-essentials to get the weight distribution back to normal, but I assume you would want to keep all of those non-essentials for daily driving.
If all you do is fang your car around town with alot of power & torque, then the big six might be fine for you. Personally I don't think it's worthwhile since there are other options that fit better.
Visit E30Tech.com to find the threads on altering S50 cranks to fit the M20. Diego has a great thread including pics of his progress.
Good luck whatever you do
As I previously mentioned though, you can gut the engine bay of all non-essentials to get the weight distribution back to normal, but I assume you would want to keep all of those non-essentials for daily driving.
If all you do is fang your car around town with alot of power & torque, then the big six might be fine for you. Personally I don't think it's worthwhile since there are other options that fit better.
Visit E30Tech.com to find the threads on altering S50 cranks to fit the M20. Diego has a great thread including pics of his progress.
Good luck whatever you do
Dunno how much a used S50 crank goes for in Malaysia, but the custom pistons (JE, Wiseco, or Ross Racing) will run around US$800-950.....obviously a more aggressive cam will cost around US$350-500 depending on the one you choose....and so on.
It's not cheap to build an M20, but modifying the S50 crank & buying your pistons direct from a manufacturer is alot cheaper than buying the 3.0L stroker kits available on the market.
The least expensive way to build an M20 is a 2.7L stroker. As mentioned by someone above it makes great power for the E30....appx 190hp (similar to an M50B25). Take a ride in Tom's car if you have a chance.....very fun ride
It's not cheap to build an M20, but modifying the S50 crank & buying your pistons direct from a manufacturer is alot cheaper than buying the 3.0L stroker kits available on the market.
The least expensive way to build an M20 is a 2.7L stroker. As mentioned by someone above it makes great power for the E30....appx 190hp (similar to an M50B25). Take a ride in Tom's car if you have a chance.....very fun ride
A
Alvin
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Like i said how much is budget. You can ask how much conversion cost, but if S50 way even crank then min Rm 10k if you can even find a used crank. If new then good luck.
surprising things is no ones ever ask about improving the handling & braking. i thk this should be first before the power increase. 2.7L is the best way to go if you are on a budget, if you are willing to spend like 10k then M50B25 & if you wanna go extreme then come & lets meet. I got a long list of stuffs that you can & should upgrade if your target is 300horses.
Not trying to throw cold water but its not cheap & i'm not saying that you cant afford it but thk carefully on what you really want. Glad to help once you decided.
surprising things is no ones ever ask about improving the handling & braking. i thk this should be first before the power increase. 2.7L is the best way to go if you are on a budget, if you are willing to spend like 10k then M50B25 & if you wanna go extreme then come & lets meet. I got a long list of stuffs that you can & should upgrade if your target is 300horses.
Not trying to throw cold water but its not cheap & i'm not saying that you cant afford it but thk carefully on what you really want. Glad to help once you decided.
teejay
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thank you thank you thank youOriginally posted by Alvin@Jun 21 2005, 04:47 PM
Like i said how much is budget. You can ask how much conversion cost, but if S50 way even crank then min Rm 10k if you can even find a used crank. If new then good luck.
surprising things is no ones ever ask about improving the handling & braking. i thk this should be first before the power increase. 2.7L is the best way to go if you are on a budget, if you are willing to spend like 10k then M50B25 & if you wanna go extreme then come & lets meet. I got a long list of stuffs that you can & should upgrade if your target is 300horses.
Not trying to throw cold water but its not cheap & i'm not saying that you cant afford it but thk carefully on what you really want. Glad to help once you decided.
i already decided lar.......
soon re-born H3 is coming out to play........... :yahoo:
yeah suspension and brakes are first for upgrades, power output later
i know of one particular sr25 E30 that gets his front welded every 3 months
and yes 535i knows him too.......why? your guess good as mine
power is nothing without control, no poit of having an extremely powerful only to be used on straight roads.....
ask chris cab why he put M3 suspension on his car, "(besides putting the wheels), its about handling, as he first pointed out
i believe the heavyweights can be emulated, so start studying the science of suspension......
