ROOOD's BMW E30 335I
Discussion
Thanks Luke!
Unfortunately it has been riddled with electrical gremlins since I put it together.
In fact it's only managed about 650 mile in the last nine months and is currently off the road again with no spark or fuel!
My cage is only a bolt-in one, so I can't advise you on welding it in, sorry.
Apart from that the left hand rear fitting to the floor / sill will be just above the fuel pipes, so be careful of those!
A fitting kit would make the job much easier and and make the cage fit much better, so I would definately get that.
Also be aware that some manufacturers offer two different E30 cages, one for sunroof cars and one for those without.
Good luck!
Unfortunately it has been riddled with electrical gremlins since I put it together.
In fact it's only managed about 650 mile in the last nine months and is currently off the road again with no spark or fuel!
My cage is only a bolt-in one, so I can't advise you on welding it in, sorry.
Apart from that the left hand rear fitting to the floor / sill will be just above the fuel pipes, so be careful of those!
A fitting kit would make the job much easier and and make the cage fit much better, so I would definately get that.
Also be aware that some manufacturers offer two different E30 cages, one for sunroof cars and one for those without.
Good luck!
Thanks Paul, I'm quite chuffed with it! 
Rich; All you need are the manual window mechanisms and the correct glass.
Depending what your car already has (there are two shapes of glass with different fixings at the bottom) you might be lucky like I was and just bolt it together with the manual stuff.
And you need to make a small hole in the door trim for the winder handle.
Rich; All you need are the manual window mechanisms and the correct glass.
Depending what your car already has (there are two shapes of glass with different fixings at the bottom) you might be lucky like I was and just bolt it together with the manual stuff.
And you need to make a small hole in the door trim for the winder handle.
Sorry i'm so late to join the party Rooodboy but I feel your thread alone has made me sign up to PH to ask my question (having used the site for the classifieds for more than 4 years).
I recently joined e30zone as I wanted to get info on steps required to do an engine swap same as yours (minus the turbo). I know what's what under a bonnet but no way could I pull something like this off.
Anyway I asked the same on e30Zone and was pointed in the direction of another well known zone member from Kent who has done this thing on more than one occasion. Naturally I wrote him but didn't get a reply. I assume he's too busy. Hmph!!
So to my question (which you have breifly touched on but i'm going to ask you to expand on).
Would you be able to say exactly (more or less given each cars individual nature) what steps are required to get the 535 lump into the e30. At least in such a format that one could follow or pass on to a garage to perform the task.
Hell, if you're up for doing the job i'd pay ya!
Thanks, and it's been thoroughly exciting reading about the problems and solutions as well as the blowing supercars away material accompanied by progress pics which are almost always lacking elsewhere.
Cheers
JScales
I recently joined e30zone as I wanted to get info on steps required to do an engine swap same as yours (minus the turbo). I know what's what under a bonnet but no way could I pull something like this off.
Anyway I asked the same on e30Zone and was pointed in the direction of another well known zone member from Kent who has done this thing on more than one occasion. Naturally I wrote him but didn't get a reply. I assume he's too busy. Hmph!!
So to my question (which you have breifly touched on but i'm going to ask you to expand on).
Would you be able to say exactly (more or less given each cars individual nature) what steps are required to get the 535 lump into the e30. At least in such a format that one could follow or pass on to a garage to perform the task.
Hell, if you're up for doing the job i'd pay ya!
Thanks, and it's been thoroughly exciting reading about the problems and solutions as well as the blowing supercars away material accompanied by progress pics which are almost always lacking elsewhere.
Cheers
JScales
Hi John.
Thanks for your kind comments.
I think I know who it'll be who you contacted.
If it is him I'm surprised he hasn't responded, he's normally very helpful, we even helped each other fit our engines.
E30Zone is very useful for this, and for you this thread, to which I have contributed, in particular!
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name=Forums&...
To summarise it breifly you need to have:
Custom engine mounts - (Username 'Beefy' on E30Zone is cheapest and good)
Propshaft - E30 M3 or E36 328i manual with centre bearing turned 180 degrees or E30 rear section with shortened and balanced E34 535i front section
Radiator and hoses - E34 or E28 (preferred as it's narrower but larger surface so not so tight on space)
Gear linkage - E30 325i linkages on E32/E34 gearbox (good time to fit a Z3 1.9 gearlever too, a great little mod and about £30 from BMW)
Exhaust manifolds Downpipes - may need a bit of cutting and welding around the steering coupling, I found this the trickiest part of the conversion, but I think I just did it badly!
A popular choice for a system is a Powerflow E30 M3 system, suitable size and shape and noise!
Wiring - Very little needed on most cars (I started with 1988 325i).
Ignition coil wires may need lengthening or coil relocated.
One wire from the main body-engine plug (C101) needs grounding on the starter motor for the heater and electric windows to work (although they still work with the door open for some reason).
E32/E34 M30 ecu will plug straight into the E30 loom.
Depending how far back the engine sits (the mounts come with two sets of holes, and furthest back is better) a bit of 'massaging' of the bulkhead just behind the cylinder head with a club hammer may be required.
That's the basics anyway, if you need more info give me a shout here or on E30zone.
Where abouts in Kent are you?
I may be able to help out sometime.
Cheers,
Martin.
Thanks for your kind comments.
I think I know who it'll be who you contacted.
If it is him I'm surprised he hasn't responded, he's normally very helpful, we even helped each other fit our engines.
E30Zone is very useful for this, and for you this thread, to which I have contributed, in particular!
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name=Forums&...
To summarise it breifly you need to have:
Custom engine mounts - (Username 'Beefy' on E30Zone is cheapest and good)
Propshaft - E30 M3 or E36 328i manual with centre bearing turned 180 degrees or E30 rear section with shortened and balanced E34 535i front section
Radiator and hoses - E34 or E28 (preferred as it's narrower but larger surface so not so tight on space)
Gear linkage - E30 325i linkages on E32/E34 gearbox (good time to fit a Z3 1.9 gearlever too, a great little mod and about £30 from BMW)
Exhaust manifolds Downpipes - may need a bit of cutting and welding around the steering coupling, I found this the trickiest part of the conversion, but I think I just did it badly!
A popular choice for a system is a Powerflow E30 M3 system, suitable size and shape and noise!
Wiring - Very little needed on most cars (I started with 1988 325i).
Ignition coil wires may need lengthening or coil relocated.
One wire from the main body-engine plug (C101) needs grounding on the starter motor for the heater and electric windows to work (although they still work with the door open for some reason).
E32/E34 M30 ecu will plug straight into the E30 loom.
Depending how far back the engine sits (the mounts come with two sets of holes, and furthest back is better) a bit of 'massaging' of the bulkhead just behind the cylinder head with a club hammer may be required.
That's the basics anyway, if you need more info give me a shout here or on E30zone.
Where abouts in Kent are you?
I may be able to help out sometime.
Cheers,
Martin.
Thanks guys, most kind!
And eeerrrrmm, yes, there is a bit of news on the car.
Please don't shout at me, but it's being broken up for spares, and most of it has gone!
I was having real trouble with engine electrics, it needed a load of money spending on it to get it through the M.O.T., and I because of the continuous frustrations with it I decided to call it a day.
Besides, I wanted a car with a V8, so I've bought this...
It's technically a bit rubbish but it puts a big smile on my face!
It's been my daily driver for a couple of weeks now and I'm loving it, even though it's not as brutally quick as the E30.
I guess I'll start a new thread...
And eeerrrrmm, yes, there is a bit of news on the car.
Please don't shout at me, but it's being broken up for spares, and most of it has gone!
I was having real trouble with engine electrics, it needed a load of money spending on it to get it through the M.O.T., and I because of the continuous frustrations with it I decided to call it a day.
Besides, I wanted a car with a V8, so I've bought this...
It's technically a bit rubbish but it puts a big smile on my face!
It's been my daily driver for a couple of weeks now and I'm loving it, even though it's not as brutally quick as the E30.
I guess I'll start a new thread...
ROOODBOY said:
it needed a load of money spending on it to get it through the M.O.T.,
You thought getting an E30 though an MOT was an issue so you bought a TVR Wedge 
Sorry but I ran a TVR S1 for three years as my only car. It was newer than your wedge but you have to realise these things are getting on a bit now. The engine should not be a problem as your pretty handy with the spanners, but the chassis were not exactly zinc coated and given a lifetime garantee.
But you will have fun with it, good luck.
Hi Paul, hope you're ok..?
I know, it was hardly the most sensible choice, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend any more money on the BMW, it was getting silly!
I've already been spending a bit on the wedge, mostly just sorting out little niggles that I knew about when I bought it (speedo cable, headlamp switch for example) and giving it a good service and once-over.
I don't expect (I was going to say Toyota) super reliability but I wanted to get away from highly modified cars for a while!
How's your E30 going?
I know, it was hardly the most sensible choice, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend any more money on the BMW, it was getting silly!
I've already been spending a bit on the wedge, mostly just sorting out little niggles that I knew about when I bought it (speedo cable, headlamp switch for example) and giving it a good service and once-over.
I don't expect (I was going to say Toyota) super reliability but I wanted to get away from highly modified cars for a while!
How's your E30 going?
ROOODBOY said:
Hi Paul, hope you're ok..?
Yep im fine, you doing ok? Not been on the Zone much due to the weather, I like the meets and shows but not in the winter.ROOODBOY said:
How's your E30 going?
Fine, just dropped it off to Ant for a service and MOT. Hopefully no problems. I had to buy a new battery for it last month as I killed another one, I don't drive it enough.This was my TVR, currently owned by another PH'er
I'm ok too, thanks, busy with my own and other peoples' cars!
I seriously considered an 'S', I've always liked them, but I wanted a V8 and couldn't afford a V8S!
I was thinking Porsche 928 at first but I looked into the prices of parts..
... then decided on a wedge, I've always quite liked those too!
The chassis does't look bad from what I've seen so far, but I might try tidying it up a bit when the weather is nicer anyway.
I seriously considered an 'S', I've always liked them, but I wanted a V8 and couldn't afford a V8S!
I was thinking Porsche 928 at first but I looked into the prices of parts..
... then decided on a wedge, I've always quite liked those too! The chassis does't look bad from what I've seen so far, but I might try tidying it up a bit when the weather is nicer anyway.
ROOODBOY said:
I seriously considered an 'S', I've always liked them, but I wanted a V8 and couldn't afford a V8S!
I know what you mean, I went to Le Mans in 1998 with the TVR club and got wasted driving out of a french village. I gave it the beans in every gear, hit 80mph and was passed by a cerbra doing 120mph+ very + However my brother who had an MR2 thought it was quick. I took him for a spin, he didn't think his was quick after that
MrFlibbles said:
Toby's a nice guy - when I met him he had just put the 335 together in NA form, and it was still running standard 316 drums... 
Heh, I bought a mk1 MR2 off Toby Unna in 2006, didn't realise he was well known in the motoring circles! Nice bloke and brill car it was too.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff