e30 M30 project has BEGUN!!!! - United Bimmer Community

**devinwwu** · 08-15-2006, 01:50 AM

It has begun. i pulled the m30 out of my 91 535i two days ago and i just finished pulling the m20 out of my 1986 325 tonight. I'm waiting for the e30.de mounts in the mail as well as the e28 radiator and some other odds and ends. i should have the motor cleaned up and put in by the end of next week. i have a few questions for those of you who have done this. the mechanical fit doesn't seem too hard to me but the electrical has me somewhat perplexed. in terms of the plugs that are supposed to plug together from the existing e30 m20 plug to the m30 plug which side comes from which section. is it the male from the m30 and female from the e30 chassis or is it the female from the m30 and the male from the e30 chassis.
here are some pics of what i mean if you guys could check out what your setup is i would appreciate it.
which one of these plugs out of the 91 535i chassis (m30) do i need (if any)

this is the plug on the e30 chassis right now... it comes out of the fuse box and it is a female connection.

The problem is that i have the harness that hooks up to the m30 ecu that i am pulling through the firewall but there are only female harnesses coming from the m30 motor so they won't hook up to the current e30 mounts.

any help is greatly appreciated

**devinwwu** · 08-15-2006, 01:50 AM

here are some pics just for fun to show off the progress

The donor car looking empty and sad...

here is the m30 patiently waiting install.
in my e34 i had already done the JC chip, 19lb design 2 (4 nozzle) injectors, SPEC stage 3 clutch, JBRacing Lightweight Flywheel, polished throttle body...

the e30 just prior to taking the little m20 out (this will be for sale locally)

on its way out!!!! Pops came out to lend a hand and a few choice words mostly "You are nuts!"

I was tired after doing 90% of the pull myself.

and finally the token motor swap pic

**devinwwu** · 08-15-2006, 01:51 AM

**Spieluhr** · 08-15-2006, 02:31 AM

HAHA I like the pic of you in the engine bay, nice pics man. Western Water Polo FTW!

I can't wait to see this thing running.

**devinwwu** · 08-15-2006, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spieluhr

HAHA I like the pic of you in the engine bay, nice pics man. Western Water Polo FTW!

I can't wait to see this thing running.

shameless plug for the team i am now done coaching haha

you and me both bud!! I've never been so impatient with shipping!!!! damn germany being too far away!

Rooz · 08-15-2006, 08:34 AM

This picture here states "that's right, she's my bitch"

**devinwwu** · 08-15-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooz

This picture here states "that's right, she's my bitch"

QFT

witeshark · 08-15-2006, 10:25 AM

Neat project

nick_318is · 08-15-2006, 10:38 AM

Looks cool can't wait to hear about the finnished project.

**xsperf** · 08-15-2006, 11:27 AM

i find it interesting that u take ur engine out that way, ive always heard that BMW owners did it this way(with the straight 6), that they remove the bumper, radiator support, etc etc, and the subframe and the engine comes out real easy, and when i tried it, it really did come out extremely easy, and it went in just as easy, all you've gotta worry about is taking the front end off(like u did in ur e34?).. i imagine the e34 was b/c it was smashed?

**devinwwu** · 08-15-2006, 11:50 AM

ya the only reason the bumper was off was from the crash
it went out fairly easily but a tilt bar would have been nice. i ended up jacking up the rear of the car to get a good angle on it.

**RSF5** · 08-15-2006, 02:16 PM

Looking good so far, can't wait to hear about it

**devinwwu** · 08-15-2006, 02:32 PM

i have on the way:
new m30 cap and rotor
new bosch 8lpr platinum plugs
new manual throttle body
e28 radiator
ireland engineering urethane motor mounts
e30.de motor mounts for m30 engine in e30 chassis

**xsperf** · 08-15-2006, 02:38 PM

wait, u have 4 motor mounts comeing?

**devinwwu** · 08-15-2006, 03:28 PM

no
the e30.de ones are the actual mounting brackets.
the ireland engineering ones are urethane race mounts

**Numark318i** · 08-15-2006, 11:21 PM

sweet. Vid when ever ur done.

**xsperf** · 08-15-2006, 11:43 PM

ok makes sense devinwuu

**devinwwu** · 08-16-2006, 10:35 PM

ordered the m20 harness out of a 87 325"i" today so that i can modify that to fit up with the m30 ecu. turns out my m30 harness doesn't match up and has a bunch of wires and stuff that i dont need to get it rockin and rollin!!

**RSF5** · 08-17-2006, 11:40 AM

You should take apart the transmission and reverse all the gears so you can drive backwards in reverse at like 130 mph, and can only get up to like 40 going forward! Huh? or is that the worst idea you've ever heard...

**dinan540** · 08-17-2006, 01:44 PM

Sweet project Devin. It would make an intense DIY. I am back in Seattle. I was in Fiji for a couple of weeks. Call me if you want a hand or just company since I don't have any idea of what I am doing.