Engine transplant wonders

maxmadill76530i · Post by **maxmadill76530i** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 9:57 pm

First off I do not intend this to be serious at all, but rather a what if kind of idea generation. I have been thinking of engine transplants for a while now as I love E12's but the power just isn't there. I have heard a couple times on this forum that transplanting a B35 is a decent way to get 35-40 more horse power. With all of the tuned E30 videos I have watched I am wondering if it would be at all possible to transplant a S50B30 or B32 into an E12 530i. With it could you add the 5 speed gear box? But then what about the drive train, axels, brakes and suspension? I know it would definitely be an over 10 grand project forsure but wondering if anyone has every thought of this? Thanks

Jelmer · Post by **Jelmer** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:57 am

Just put a E32/E34 M30B35 in it with a G265 so you can keep the speedo cable in place. This is the cheapest option.

JodyStevens · Post by **JodyStevens** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 9:07 am

If I had my choice to swap a motor it would be an s38. Simple motor, raw and more than enough power.

stewart in slc · Post by **stewart in slc** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 7:06 pm

There was a guy running around Salt Lake with a turbocharged M90 stroked to 3.9 w/ NOS to boot. I'd reckon he had power to spare.

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:25 pm

As always, anything is technically possible. I'd speculate that an s38 would probably be the outer limit of reasonability in terms of a sane budget, street-legal, driveable car project though. And several folks have done it.

Best bang for the buck and effort, though, has got to be just a larger displacement m30 though.

Limitations and extent of hassle also depend on local environmental restrictions and such as well, so the answer's not the same for everyone--it's not a level playing field.

KenB

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 12:11 am

I get it from the personal hot rod perspective, throw back to the good old days of a blown Chrysler in a T Bucket. Straight line speed and horsepower.

Otherwise, isn't an E28 a better choice over our E12 front strut suspensions ? Unless that's up for changing, and then I get confused. I like looking at the custom works of art, while never understanding the point of owning, building a $60,000 car worth $6,000, or a 600 h.p. Honda Civic.

Odometergears · Post by **Odometergears** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 2:40 pm

An M5 engine is not hard to do but... If think about the up keep. It's not cheap and you better have the tools to tune it. Rebuild on that motor will be 10K easy. Also, the S38 throttle bodies look cool but you aren't getting your brake booster back in because of the plenum. You can always go with a single throttle body set up. Remember it flows to the drivers side instead of the passenger side so you have a few more issues to work out. Very doable.

I'm working on an M106 block with top mounted turbo, reversed intake with inner cooler. Basically I have to redesign the engine bay and I will have manual brakes with it's done. I didn't want E28 brakes which were my only other option.

Still 4 months away from seeing the car.

jeff

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:04 pm

A turbo M30B34 3.5 is probably the most bang for the buck and reliable. Anything from an S50 to a S38 to a M54B30 is doable, and genuinely doable, but a whole lot of work. Just get an M20 bellhousing for the last 2 out of 3 mentioned. A turbo B34 will get you S38 power or more, reliably, cheaper, longer lasting and more affordable if it breaks. Not that the M5x/S5x engines aren't great engines, but they all have their drawbacks.

Jelmer · Post by **Jelmer** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:04 am

Turbo engines are nice but S38's are nice too. I have acces to both (my own E28 with N/A S38B38 and my brothers E28 with turbo S38B37) and I like them both very much.

The N/A S38B38 is a very racy engine which screams very loud in high revs but also has lots of low down torque.

The turbo S38 in my brothers E28 is a very different engine offcourse; very brutal with its 875Nm torque at the crank but this is also a nice engine for easy, smooth driving.

maxmadill76530i · Post by **maxmadill76530i** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 8:18 am

thanks for the reply's guys, It's not like I'm choosing tomorrow so engine choice is definitely something to think about however the simplicity and turbo factor of a m30b34 or b35 is what will make me choose that option in the end. As far as transmission goes I would want a five speed to replace my four speed, what transmission would work well with a m30b34? Also suspension and steering haha, I know bav auto has bilstein shocks for my 530i but I would need to find some springs. Also can my front steering be upgraded to accommodate, such as replacing the struts as earlier suggested? Thanks!! THis is exciting

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 10:58 pm

For a 5 speed transmission you want a Getrag 265/6. That's a very robust overdrive 5 speed that either has or can have a speedo drive installed. Springs are out there if a little hard to find. As long as you stay with a M30 based engine (which would include a S38 you don't need to worry about the steering, everything will fit.

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 2:01 am

http://www.lab22.com/

My Son's shop in Portland.

maxmadill76530i · Post by **maxmadill76530i** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:31 pm

Thanks, also I have seen a lot of videos on people building m30b35s with forged pistons, rods and such, is this needed for around 350hp? Also I have looked at the m106 engines which were turbocharged from factory, is there any advantage to this engine? Found some bilstein shocks and a guy who is selling lowering springs so super stoked on that!!

JodyStevens · Post by **JodyStevens** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 4:38 am

Forged rods and pistons are NOT needed for 350hp on an m30. M30 rods are factory forged anyways!
The only advantage to buying a m106 motor (complete with turbo) is that it's cheap power. The downside is that it's old antiquated tech that's not going to be capable of much power past 300hp.

peter claassen · Post by **peter claassen** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 4:26 pm

What about a 6 banger twin turbo 330i engine - massive HP

all aluminum - will that fit in a E12 ?

On Sat, Nov 2, 2013 at 2:38 AM, JodyStevens <kd101ster@gmail.com (kd101ster@gmail.com)> wrote:

Forged rods and pistons are NOT needed for 350hp on an m30. M30 rods are factory forged anyways!
The only advantage to buying a m106 motor (complete with turbo) is that it's cheap power. The downside is that it's old antiquated tech that's not going to be capable of much power past 300hp.

--
p c l a a s s e n

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