BMW E30 M3 - S85 DCT [RNGTOY]

[0-60Motorsports]

Amazing project. Looking forward to updates.

[RumbleOfThunder]

Hope that case had wheels.

[E91M3]

Any updates?

[s62]

E91M3 said:

Any updates?

Just prepping the S50B32 for it´s new owner. Putting in the Carrillo rods,
removing the dry sump setup, new headgasket, sourcing a new crank pulley & oil setup etc.











Once this is out the door & all the funds in - things will get moving again.

[Diesel Meister]

This remains one of my favourite PH threads - thanks for sharing Big T

[s62]

Project progressing at glacial speeds.

Dual clutch box assembled in Denmark with upgraded clutch disks - ready for shipment - need to get it to Iceland.

Also, bought these - critical stuff at this stage in the project:

[s62]

Pics of the DCT box - on it´s way from Denmark:













Will be interesting making it fit... the E30 tunnel is not quite big enough

[Polarbert]

Incredible thread. I love the brakes. I also hope someone one day repairs that Carrera GT.

[s62]

Finally the S50 engine is sold & paid for.

Gave up on the original buyer and sold it locally - here is the happy new owner picking it up:



Will go into a mint 1990 E30 316.

So now the S85 is on the engine stand with the parts list.....

[tenfour]

Wow, I can't believe this thread is approaching its 10th birthday!

In that time, I think I've owned about 20 cars and been through a similar number of usernames on here. Not to mention the odd girlfriend, and four different countries.

Cracking build.

What was the driver behind a DCT gearbox, btw?

[s62]

V10 with the DCT is a super nice modern drivetrain combo. 7 gears to keep the V10 in the power band all the time.
For me this is the ultimate BMW drivetrain into the best looking BMW body.

I know the purists view of going manual only but I have another BMW for that

[Diesel Meister]

s62 said:

V10 with the DCT is a super nice modern drivetrain combo. 7 gears to keep the V10 in the power band all the time.
For me this is the ultimate BMW drivetrain into the best looking BMW body.

I know the purists view of going manual only but I have another BMW for that

You see, I'm manual fan but I totally agree with you here. Having driven an E60 M5 (a big fat but surprisingly agile saloon), I think the S85 wouldn't suit an spanish box. Its's too revvy and inertia free for that to be nice (or even usable) on road or track (unless your name is Ayrton). Paddle shifts suit that type of donk much better in my opinion. , DCT > SMG. By light years. Heavier and more complex, yes. But undoubtedly better.

Please continue your epic work - another PH point premier league thread

[dom9]

How have I missed this?

Fantastic project!

[andygtt]

s62 said:

V10 with the DCT is a super nice modern drivetrain combo. 7 gears to keep the V10 in the power band all the time.
For me this is the ultimate BMW drivetrain into the best looking BMW body.

I know the purists view of going manual only but I have another BMW for that

How will you control the DCT?

[s62]

andygtt said:

How will you control the DCT?

With the stock ECU, software taken care of

[JackP1]

Bloody hell, and i thought the original engine conversion was awesome, can't wait to see this one!

[KW355]

Just read the thread from the link on e30 zone. Here is a photo of my v10 e30 m3. one suggestion I have is to cut the front off the oil pan ( sump) to the oil level sensor, this will allow you to mount the crossmember / steering rack as far back as possible

[tenfour]

KW355 said:

Just read the thread from the link on e30 zone. Here is a photo of my v10 e30 m3. one suggestion I have is to cut the front off the oil pan ( sump) to the oil level sensor, this will allow you to mount the crossmember / steering rack as far back as possible

Looks like the E30 bay was made to house an S85!

[s62]

KW355 said:

Just read the thread from the link on e30 zone. Here is a photo of my v10 e30 m3. one suggestion I have is to cut the front off the oil pan ( sump) to the oil level sensor, this will allow you to mount the crossmember / steering rack as far back as possible

Plan is to run the old dry sump setup so I´ll have to either source a dry sump pan or make my own.

Yours looks super nice and tidy. I might have to pick your brains at some point

[s62]

Airfilter boxes and plenums on their way from LA to Iceland via Miami - where a friend lives.



"Leftovers" from an SC install on an E60 M5 in LA.