engine Replacement on E30

[bimmer325imt]

hi guys,

I am in the research process in looking to replace our M20 in our e30. With 320,000 miles on it, it is time for replacement. Any merchants online which are good for buying used engines? I live in Phoenix AZ area and looking locally too for replacement. also need instructions or again website which talks about engine swaping or replacement.

[John in VA]

If you're asking these questions and plan to do this yourself you have some homework to do!
You should, at least, have the Robert Bentley E30 repair manual - check eBay and Amazon before buying a new copy. Read through the engine section and learn the info there. Here is the link to the BMW factory repair manual: http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/ma...en/htm/002.htm
Can you not rebuild the current engine? The bottom end of BMW engines are quite stout - it's the head that usually needs refreshing.
I have an E28 buddy in the Phoenix area who is quite "in the loop" with regards to parts availability, shops, etc., in the area. Send me an e-mail or post your address here and I'll have him contact you.
STAY AWAY from Bavarian Auto Recycling in Rancho Cordova CA.

[mcoupemindy]

OP, it sounds to me like you should just pull the engine and rebuild it, not place another "used" engine in it. The cost may be a bit more, but you'll know that you have a 0 mile engine when it's done!

[bimmer325imt]

Hi John, good advice from thanks for the info. I do have the bentley manual bought it from Oscar Benitez when living back east and involved with the DIY. My email is BMWe30mt@gmail.com. Your link is excellent just what I was looking form. I will stay away from Bavarian Auto Recycling.... thank again for the advice.

Mycoupemindy: That is a great thought too from you. The only thing that keeps on going through my mind is time spent in doing the rebuilt yourself and the learning curve. I do have a shop where I can do all the work for about $150 a day (tools included) but then I swing back to engine swap which can take between 2 to 3 days (at least I give myself that much time) to complete the work. Getting a good working reliable M20 is key. I am in the research phase

[bimmer325imt]

sorry for my poor spelling

[mcoupemindy]

Hi John, good advice from thanks for the info. I do have the bentley manual bought it from Oscar Benitez when living back east and involved with the DIY. My email is BMWe30mt@gmail.com. Your link is excellent just what I was looking form. I will stay away from Bavarian Auto Recycling.... thank again for the advice.

Mycoupemindy: That is a great thought too from you. The only thing that keeps on going through my mind is time spent in doing the rebuilt yourself and the learning curve. I do have a shop where I can do all the work for about $150 a day (tools included) but then I swing back to engine swap which can take between 2 to 3 days (at least I give myself that much time) to complete the work. Getting a good working reliable M20 is key. I am in the research phase

It's just such an old engine that I wouldn't trust any used ones. That's just me. If you can get the engine out and in in 2-3 days, it sounds like you have pretty good mechanical skills. There's not much "hard" about the internals, just time consuming.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Given that you can get an M20 for a few hundred bucks, it's hard to justify actually building one.

[bimmer325imt]

All of you have good feedback.... thanks a million. well after my hours at DIY changing timing belt and water pump was well as driveshaft and everything else that could go wrong with an E30. So I feel good in doing the work. Doing the swap does not scare me but just unhooking everything and then putting it back together is the tough part. Therefore I am taking my time with the research and asking you all the questions.

[Joshua]

We recently rebuilt the top end on an 88 325 after we purchased the car with crashed valves. We put a schrick 288 cam in it and it's awesome. The head had the valve guides sleeved with brass inserts. We didn't do anything to the bottom end and it now is so much fun! I'm going to sell it to my mom because she needs a car but it's going to be difficult to let that one go. Moral of the story: Rebuild and add Schrick Cam= More fun!! Brass inserts= reliability.