m20 to m30 engine swap

[tintrx]

I'm thinking about doing a motor swap in my 89 525i. The m20 is the factory engine, but I'm thinking about putting a m30 in it instead. Has anyone put together a swap list for this change over? If so, It would help me alot to see what I might be looking at to make this happen. If anyone has any video on this swap. I would love to see it. Thanks for all of your help

[632 Regal]

I'm sure it has been done, take a peak in here:

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/search.php?searchid=72634

[tintrx]

No info on the m30

[genphreak]

You will need to do the transmission too. Swap over the entire engine harness, ECU and so on to make it easy. The trans computer and trans too. What are your plans with the transmission?

The diff ratio will have to suit your trans too. Also, I think M30B35 had larger output shafts. Brakes are the same at least on all M20/M30.

Your profile is empty, so we can't see what kind of car you have- 87-91, manual/auto trans, diff ratio etc.

If it were me I'd do the whole driveline from a donor 535i. But given all that, you could instead just use a later e39 engine (2.8/3.0L), it will just need the electronics as well. How handy are you?

All the parts are dirt-cheap these days after all...