CMart Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 I figured I would start a build thread that got away from my member intro as I will be really pushing to get this done over the next three weeks. This started off with me wanting to LS swap a E30. I found though that you can get a running 540i for the price of a LS1/T56 so since this is my first real swap having all the parts was important to me. I start off by buying a 2000 540i with a M62TUB44 and 6 speed behind it. I then learned that these are near impossible to swap so I parted that out and started looking for a pre 99 car. DSC_0106 DSC_0109 I came across a 1991 318is in Indiana with a blown motor for a good price so I bought a truck, drove it down and picked it up. Not 100% as described, but a good clean car with low miles - minimal rust - low miles - etc. DSC_0384 My garage will never look this clean again Then the tear down of the E30 and part out of the E39 began. Unfortunately I lost a lot of time this summer by not having garage space. image After the 2000 E39 was gone my garage had room for the 1998. The E30 is pretty torn down at this point too. I have the motor/trans mounts, but still need the driveshaft shortened. The motor/trans from the E39 will be coming out this weekend. Wiring will be a pain, but since I have the whole car it should be easier. image And though not BMW related those 275 tires are from my new toy. image image Anyway I will use this thread to keep the build updated. I got a new job recently and have a week off in between my old and new. I will be using that time to get as far as I can on the E30. I thought from the beginning I would build this, sell it and try again with a S62, but depending on how much I like driving the car I will likely keep it, paint it, and do my best to make it look like it just drove off the showroom floor... with a V8... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 I can't wait to see the build progress. Props to you for taking on this swap and wanting to do it as cleanly as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsbimmer1 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 I am excited to see this thing run! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Been waiting for this build thread! Hope you give us lots of details on the fab work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted October 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Weekend Update: Subframe spacers added to the E30 for proper alignment. (shiny things on the bottom right and left) image Motor and trans pulled from the E39. I spent a ton of time removing and labeling wires so I can properly reassemble without headache. image And separated. image I still need to:Pull the E30 driveshaft and get the front end of the E39 one welded on.Pull the rest of the harness out of the E39 and remove the unnecessary wires.Clean the motorClean the E30 bayPut the new motor mounts onWeld the trans mountMount the brake boosterWire, wire, wire, wire and wire some more. B C, jc43089 and DrLeadFoot 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Are the spacers to get the proper alignment on the trans to driveshaft? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted October 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Are the spacers to get the proper alignment on the trans to driveshaft? Correct. image image image image Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc43089 Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 Very nice! that looks like it fits nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 This is exciting stuff! Have you seen JGood's V8 swap thread on R3V?Are you planning on having it done by spring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted January 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 It is amazing how much time you can save having the right tools. This was less than 2 hours of cutting. Front end is totally off, B pillars, roof all the way to the rear window, windshield, etc. I wanted to get the 540 out so I had plenty of room for the rest of the fabrication. Planning on taking everything to the scrap yard Saturday morning and then I get really get going on hard stuff. I also decided to make the rad support removable so I can install/remove the engine and trans together instead of having to drop in the motor then add the trans from the bottom. I did it once and it was a pain in the ass. jc43089 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 I was gonna chop up the last E28 but when I realized it fit on a uhaul I ditched that idea. In 4 engine installation pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted January 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 In 4 engine installation pics. In for a test fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassboy3313 Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 This was definitely gnarly to see in person when picking up that m42 radiator from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HipMF Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Looks good. I can't wait to see this thing at Gefrorenfahrt! In the unlikely event that the car's not ready it would be still be cool if you brought the CTS-V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted January 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Thanks guys - It is definitely coming together. When is Gefrorenfahrt? Someone was telling me about an E30 meet mid-May. If I can stay motivated through the cold I should have no problem getting it to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REKIII Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael1972 Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Not a big caddi fan but.....that CTS-V tho. Yep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamRod E28 Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 How's the exhaust gonna route with the steering linkage? I'd be all over a v8 swap in my e28 if it weren't for the damn steering linkage!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted January 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 How's the exhaust gonna route with the steering linkage? I'd be all over a v8 swap in my e28 if it weren't for the damn steering linkage!!!With a welder and a dream.Really though, I've heard you need new linkage and I've heard it fits around it. I won't know until I get my manifolds cut and start fitting it up. That is small potatoes compared to the brake relocation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 http://store.garagistic.com/ocart/e30-m60-m62-swap-headers-exhaust-manifolds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted January 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 I have the manifolds they use to do this, they came with the car. I am just going to cut off the manifolds at the cat (like they do) and weld on the flange when I do the rest of the exhaust. $350>the $40 it will cost to do it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted January 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 BMW 540 for sale - some assembly required... Finally cleared up some much needed garage space this weekend. Onto removing the radiator support and filling the garage space with some things needed for the fab work that needs to be done. Welder, band saw, vice, press, and bench grinder are up there on this list. I am also looking for a M62B46 (4.6L motor from the X5). If anyone comes across a wrecked 4.6 X5 or a decent deal on a running or non running motor please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Show me the carfax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMart Posted January 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 This is actually the only car I have ever bought that I didn't run a carfax on. The title was a lean release to post bond... But it had a newer motor with strong compression and I laid a nice burnout with it before buying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REKIII Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 BMW 540 for sale - some assembly required... I lol'd at this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.