Project e30

[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

[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.

[1996 328ti]

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.

[andyman7931]

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.

[stormos]

DRFT

all that is needed

[myblueTI]

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

[andyman7931]

where are you located? I have a friend selling a modified 325es with no miles on a rebuilt engine... car is in western NC

[needle332rur]

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

[96cali]

what's the diff between a 325i and 325e?

[andyman7931]

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.