» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | 01-19-2006, 04:11 AM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: tailgating your slow ass Posts: 518 | Project e30 I have been thinking that I want to get an e30 and do a project car with it. Do a swap or something or maybe make it a track car. I just want to hear some of your ideas or maybe suggestions to what i should do. I was thinking more of a track car. So give me some feedback | | | 01-19-2006, 04:19 AM | #2 | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 | e30 m3s are great track cars, but it's almost a shame to do that to them. see if you can find a mechanically nice e30 325is. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts 2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | 01-19-2006, 04:27 AM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | Quote: Originally Posted by myblueTI I have been thinking that I want to get an e30 and do a project car with it. Do a swap or something or maybe make it a track car. I just want to hear some of your ideas or maybe suggestions to what i should do. I was thinking more of a track car. So give me some feedback | I'd do it in a heartbeat if I had the money. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 01-19-2006, 04:30 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 669 | I've had 5 e30's, they're great cars, since I liked them so much I got the ti which to me is a newer e30. For a track car I'd go with a 325i(s) unless you want to do some engine work. There's no real difference in the i and is exept for suspension which you'll probably change anyway. The biggest HP we got out of an e30 was an eta m20 block with an i head, stock e pistons (lower compression) and twin turbos. We never dyno'ed it but seat of the pants feel was probably in the 270 hp range. My friend and I raced on the highway once, me in my m5, him in the turbo e30, rolling start at 50, I downshifted to 3rd while he just floored it in 5th, and he walked away from me! I miss my e30's, but I don't miss the constant maintenance that older cars entail. If you're going to get one to do mild engine work to, your best bet is an 88 325e. They are considered the "super eta" and have a hybrid e bottom end, custom pistons, and an i head. With an i cam and computer chip you'll have a 2.7l stroker i engine. don't know if this helps, just throwing out some past experiences. I have tons of e30 goodies laying around if you need parts. | | | 01-19-2006, 05:12 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,288 | DRFT all that is needed __________________ 1995 BMW 316i Cosmos Black Mods: • Magnex Cat-Back Exhaust • Smoked Corner Lights + Repeators • M3 17" Wheels • De-Baffled Air Box • AC HandBrake Handle and Gear Knob • DEPO Euro Epsiloids + Predator Chronium Rings • Chrome Interior bits •IE Poly-Urethane RSFMs • Kenwood Power Series Audio • Powder Coated e36 325 Front Callipers • Sports Seats | | | 01-19-2006, 06:46 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: tailgating your slow ass Posts: 518 | Quote: Originally Posted by cali-ti e30 m3s are great track cars, but it's almost a shame to do that to them. see if you can find a mechanically nice e30 325is. | I think i might have found one http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp...eadExists=true | | | 01-19-2006, 09:03 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 669 | where are you located? I have a friend selling a modified 325es with no miles on a rebuilt engine... car is in western NC | | | 01-19-2006, 10:28 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pomfret Ct Posts: 277 | Find a old rust free 325e/es for 1000 bucks and do a e/i swap. If you can find a eta "e" engine the compression will be 8.8 like normal i m20. but any pre 87 e's will have a C/R of about 8.6/1. 2.7 stroker "i" m20 engine and all you need is a i head/ intake mani/ and computer and you'll be able to rev to the "i" revlimit and have tons of power all the way there. The swap is good for 180-190 hp at the crank. Then grab some BMP bumpers and GC coilovers, and maybe e30 m3 brakes and spindles you'll have a redic nice car real cheap. PS: i have had quite a few of them e30's if you can't tell | | | 01-20-2006, 04:56 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 3,244 | what's the diff between a 325i and 325e? __________________ My Former Rides 1999 318ti Alpine White, Cali Roof, Dinan goodies 1996 318ti Hellrot California Edition | | | 01-20-2006, 07:26 PM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 669 | Quote: Originally Posted by 96cali what's the diff between a 325i and 325e? | the e was a torquey low revving 2.7 liter m20 engine that got great gas milage, yet wasn't very sporty. HP was around 126, torque around 170ish I think. The i is basically the same m20 engine with a higher revving cam, dual valve springs, shorter stroke, same bore, so the displacement is only 2.5 liters. The HP is a lot higher since the redline is around 2k more, around 168hp and the same torque of the e. Both engines are great to have, but the i has more racing advantages. I did like cruising down the highway with the e pushing 2k rpm at 70 mph. | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |