1972 CS M90 Conversion

Deano1

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Hi Everyone.

I joined this forum a couple of years ago, and on occasion have been reading through the threads building up my knowledge on the E9. Predominantly my experience is with E30's, and more recently E32's.

I bought my E9 a couple of years ago. It had been in dry storage about 25-years. Originally an Inka orange car, fitted with the original blue velour type interior. It's fitted with the carburetted 3-litre engine and automatic transmission. The car had been partially disassembled when I bought it, however I managed to get the engine running fairly quickly despite the extensively gummed up/seized carburettors. The car also came with an M90 engine. I have two 1990 735i parts cars, one of which is complete with engine. This X-Mas I plan to start work on an engine. I'd like to go down the M90 route, using the M90 intake, with Motronic 1.3 conversion as I have a lot of the parts and carburettor rebuild services in New Zealand are very expensive. I have no practical experience with carburettors and have no interest in rebuilding them.

My initial problem is accurately determining what gaskets and seals I need for the M90 engine (Manufactured March 1980). From what I can determine M30 gaskets and seals will suffice with the exception of the head gasket, perhaps the sump gasket, and perhaps the gasket between the oil filter housing and the engine block. I'm aware of the limited options for suitable head gaskets from reading threads here. I won't know until I remove the M90 cylinder head and get it checked as to whether the head and associated hardware will require machining.

Can someone guide me as to how I can obtain, and maybe where I can source, the correct gaskets and seals?

I plan to use the car for occasional street use and short out of district trips. The camshaft in the spare M30/B35 head I had lying around, and was hoping to use, has wear so I will need to look at options to repair/replace. I've read good things about the standard cam. Is there a better alternative for my use?

I will only be undertaking a sympathetic return to the road restoration at this time. I bet you that comment raised a few eyebrows and you're thinking wait until you find the rust. I've had the car on the hoist and checked the areas identified on this forum which are common for rust, and so far, I can only see surface rust so I will focus on the mechanical aspects.

Future considerations..... I have a Getrag 265/6 gearbox, manual pedal box, and 3.64 ratio LSD.


Regards, and thanks in advance.

Dean.
 

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Hi Deano, only BMW for the M90 head gasket they use Elring. Other aftermarket aren't all up to scratch. The standard cam is ok, Schrick do a 282, for either motronic or distributor drive which works well, others will know better whether 1.3 ecu works with the motor, I used a Haltech.
 
Hi Deano, only BMW for the M90 head gasket they use Elring. Other aftermarket aren't all up to scratch. The standard cam is ok, Schrick do a 282, for either motronic or distributor drive which works well, others will know better whether 1.3 ecu works with the motor, I used a Haltech.
Thanks Ian. It will be interesting to see what I find when I disassemble the engine. I'm hoping the M90 is good. It sounds like a fun motor.
 
Only BMW head gasket- never use Walloth

Motronic 1.3 Ecu is 208 hp USA
9:1 compression
265 duration cam

M90 is 218 hp euro
9.3 :1 compression
272 duration cam

How will you tune it?
 
Only BMW head gasket- never use Walloth

Motronic 1.3 Ecu is 208 hp USA
9:1 compression
265 duration cam

M90 is 218 hp euro
9.3 :1 compression
272 duration cam

How will you tune it?
Hi Sfdon.

Thanks for that.

Pretty sure mine will be the euro version.

We have someone local that makes programmable chips, so most likely going to pursue that.

Regards.

Dean.
 
I think you will not be happy with a 3.64 diif
Hi Sfdon.

Good to know. I have an automated spreadsheet I use to select ratios. Proved invaluable selecting gears for my 46 Buick, straight 8 motor, 700R4 transmission, 9" diff. If I decide to fit the LSD and can't find suitable factory ratios, we have a local company that makes new crown wheels and pinions. Haven't looked into the cost, so that may be the limiting factor.

Regards.

Dean.
 
here are some basic tables for rpm / speed with the getrag 5 speed o/d gearbox - first 4 gears are the same as the getrag 4 speed box
 

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I have a 3.25 in my coupe at the moment.
It’s a bad decision for California freeways for me.
at normal speeds I’m lost between 4th and 5th gear.

The 3.64 is a bit manic. I’m too old for that.
 
I have a 3.25 in my coupe at the moment.
It’s a bad decision for California freeways for me.
at normal speeds I’m lost between 4th and 5th gear.

The 3.64 is a bit manic. I’m too old for that.
Hi Don.

What speed are you traveling at on the freeway? I know it's a bit dependent on the cam you're running but what would be the sweet spot (rpm) for an M90 engine on the open road?

Regards.

Dean.
 
I went from o/d box with 3.25 to 3.45, better, and about to drop in a dogleg which I think for me will be spot on.
 
Thanks Bert. It'll be interesting to see what my E32 is pulling at the open speed limit for comparison next time I drive it. It's an M30B35 and auto.
If it is the 4-speed auto I bet it will be 3k RPM or less. 4th gear is overdrive and the torque converter locks up so the ratio of RPM/speed is fixed.
 
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