M30 to S38B38 swap

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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garching5
Posts: 15
Joined: Mar 04, 2013 9:16 PM

M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by garching5 »

Hello everyone. My first thread.

I have stumbled on to a s38b38 engine and trans. (unicorn) With some other goodies from a 1992 M5. 70k before it was totaled.

Over the next few weeks I will be posting pics of the progress of the swap.
Info, critiques, and suggestions would be much appreciated.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130369778 ... otostream/

Im sure this swap has been done here before. But since the local circle is devoid e28s here I am.
George
Posts: 2889
Joined: Sep 12, 2007 11:23 PM
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by George »

http://www.m535i.org/officers/ra/frame.html

Go to e28 faq, and then motor, and then scroll down to motor swap.

I'd be interested to see how this turns out.
1st 5er
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by 1st 5er »

:popcorn:

There's plenty more where this came from.
garching5
Posts: 15
Joined: Mar 04, 2013 9:16 PM

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by garching5 »

Thanks for the info

Been polishing wheels. I'm dirty now..Before after after after.....https://www.flickr.com/photos/130369778 ... 9999831822

And yes that is a e34 bumper on the front. Im sure that will breed some haters. I love the car. Its a little shabby on the outside. But it doesn't leak. Solid runner. I wouldn't eat off the paint. I would eat off of the engine though.

Someone please tell me why it was cool in the 90s to put ten lbs of relays and wiring to make the door locks operate with an alarm? Yea Thats gone! Thing is...now the car is so dated that 99% of the populace doesn't even know what it is.

If some one could tell me how to post pics right here in the thread, that would be cool....thanks for watching and stay tuned.
George
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Joined: Sep 12, 2007 11:23 PM
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by George »

Was this an import from Europe (or elsewhere) or did you find it in the US?
garching5
Posts: 15
Joined: Mar 04, 2013 9:16 PM

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by garching5 »

George wrote:Was this an import from Europe (or elsewhere) or did you find it in the US?
The gentleman I am purchasing the gear off of was stationed in Korea. He purchased the car from an officer that bought the car in from Germany. The car was being DOT Cert for the states before disaster struck. The car was broken up and crated. He has been sitting on the parts for a couple of years now trying to figure out what to do with them.

The cool thing is that with all the parts he gave me every document and service record for the car.
garching5
Posts: 15
Joined: Mar 04, 2013 9:16 PM

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by garching5 »

All right. So the swap has been going slower than originally thought. And a little more expensive.

Firtthere were the oil leaks to combat. Done. Then there was the motor mount brackets to figure oout. That issue was handle with adapter plates. Koalla Motorsport out of Ohio. Very cool people. A big thanks goes out to them.

The headers. I have seen what some had done. Removal of the air pump. Blocking off the ports with plate and hardware. Nope. Remove system. Remove studs. Plug weld all holes. Use 316l wire for its high nickel content because the header plates are incolnel. The tubing is regular stainless. The header is heavy enough without adding block off plates and nuts.

Intake painted up all cheesy like. Oil lines modified with AN fittings.

The install should be pretty easy. The electrics will probably take the longest among of time.

Check back for the progress this week end. See link above for more pics
garching5
Posts: 15
Joined: Mar 04, 2013 9:16 PM

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by garching5 »

Okay another day in the shop. Mounted the adapter plates. Easy enough. The headers on the other hand caused issues. A little heat here and a little prying there. The unit will be dropped in tomorrow. My only concern is that the outlets are cause for concern. We will see.

If any one knows???? the trans in the car currently has the removable bell housing. What is it? Is it better than the M5 unit?
George
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Joined: Sep 12, 2007 11:23 PM
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by George »

Let's see some pics. Im interested in your exhaust work. The only m10/m30/s14/s38 transmission that I know of with a removable bell housing is the getrag 265. The shifter console is different but transmission removal is easier with the bell housing still attached.
garching5
Posts: 15
Joined: Mar 04, 2013 9:16 PM

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by garching5 »

Pics are up. At least as far as i got today. Headers man headers... The e34 units are a no go. Severely contacts the control arm. The 4-6 collector sticks out way too far. Even If I was to pie slice it #5 tube sticks out way too far. Unfortunately the facility I am at is not equipped to modify the issue. So I reached out to my peeps the still work for BMW. M88/3 header at cost plus 10%. Wasn't an expense that i wanted to endure but I am literally between a header and a hard place.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130369778 ... otostream/
garching5
Posts: 15
Joined: Mar 04, 2013 9:16 PM

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by garching5 »

So the band keeps playing.. I want to use the trans from the M5 so i had to fab a cross member. No pics yet. Bit the bullet and got the M88/3 headers. They are on the slow boat. Its cool gives me time to get the electrics and other things squared away.

Any one need a M30 engine and 265 trans? Got one make an offer. Comes with stahl headers. Pics to follow.

And yes the engine looks damn sexy sitting in the engine bay. And if you all didnt know older 525 auto came with 4.10 gears. And the throttle position sensor basically came on every bmw prior to the e46...broke mine on install..more to follow.
dsmith
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Location: Charleston, SC

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by dsmith »

Where do you live? Stock piling 265s.
garching5
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by garching5 »

killeen texas
1st 5er
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by 1st 5er »

Will you sell just the headers?
1st 5er
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by 1st 5er »

Free bump. Well, almost...
nik77356
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by nik77356 »

I could use the M30.
garching5
Posts: 15
Joined: Mar 04, 2013 9:16 PM

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by garching5 »

I am in Killeen Texas. Whats up? I have the engine and lots of other things that didn't make it back into the car post swap. I will post them soon. But feel free to to ask for what ever. The car is on the road. I don't recommend this swap for faint of heart. Doing it solo??? You better have some skills...
Kyle in NO
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Location: Nasty Orleans------> Batten-Rooehjch------>More Souther LA

Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by Kyle in NO »

First off, the G265 with the removable bellhousing is a stronger trans and it's probably the one to use.

Second, why don't you just buy an M5 crossmember instead of fabricating one?
1st 5er
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by 1st 5er »

Car is back in TX. :cool:


Image
dsmith
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by dsmith »

Hood pins, sweeeet! Can I drive it next month?
1st 5er
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by 1st 5er »

dsmith wrote:Hood pins, sweeeet! Can I drive it next month?


Only if I get to drive your truck. :rofl:
dsmith
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Joined: Jan 20, 2012 12:52 AM
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by dsmith »

1st 5er wrote:
dsmith wrote:Hood pins, sweeeet! Can I drive it next month?


Only if I get to drive your truck. :rofl:
Deal! Though, I won't drive yours as far. :laugh:
1st 5er
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Re: M30 to S38B38 swap

Post by 1st 5er »

1st 5er wrote: Oct 19, 2016 11:24 AM Car is back in TX. :cool:


Image
A link to the For Sale thread.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=159015
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