M20 OR M30B35 ENGINE SWAP

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Sev
Posts: 76
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:47 am
Location: Glendale California

M20 OR M30B35 ENGINE SWAP

Post by Sev »

Hello, I am thinking about doing either a m30b35 swap, or m20 swap.

Has anyone done m20 swap? If so, can i just drop the m20 and a tranny from 89 325i in there? i know it isnt a bolt on job, but is it hard? will i have tranny issues? what drive shaft could i use that works with that tranny?

I know people do the m30b35 swap, there is a 91 535i being parted out, i was thinking of taking it with its 5 speed transmission. Would i have an issue with that transmission fitment? what drive shaft and LSD can i use?

thank you.
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Mike W.
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Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 am
Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

An M20 could be made to work, but not real easily. A B35 would work, with some work. Transmission would not work as it's set up for an electronic speedo and has no drive provision like E12 transmissions do, or the G265 that was used in a few later cars. Driveshaft would be transmission specific and LSD would be a sideloader LSD used in E's 3, 9, 12 and 24 thru 82. They are rare and hard to find. The common BMW LSD used in E28 vintage cars does not fit. Not at all.
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
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