Bavaria engine options E32 vs E28 M30

E

Ezz

Well-Known Member
Site Donor
Messages
185
Reaction score
128
Location
Arizona
Hello,

This is my first post here and I have been learning so much reading threads on this forum. It has been a great help keeping me motivated to restore my 71 bav 2800.
The m30b28 that came with the car is seized up and missing some parts, so no point of rebuilding it.
I have an engine from an e32 that has a rod knock that would cost close to a used engine just to get it running. It will be kept for parts.
I found the following engines out of these cars:

1. 1988 535i E28 with 150k miles (~
$800)
2. 1992 735i E32 with 180k miles (~$675)

Any recommendations on which one I should consider?
I read somewhere that the e28 oil pan fits the E3 and better to use than the original engine’s pan, is this correct? But I think the e32 motor makes more power…

I know there will be fitment issue with the intake and the brake booster but this a problem i am accounting for.

Any recommendaion and advice is welcomed and much appreciated! I am new to the hobby and this is the my first restoration project.
 
Thank you.
So i would have to exchange the e32 oil pan with the E3 pan and oil pickup thing.
 
Are you planning on installing the complete motor? If you keep the intake manifolds from the 2800 you won't have to worry about booster clearance. If you get the E32 motor you'll need to adapt the passenger side motor mount, easily done with a length of 1/4x3 bar stock.
 
Mike Goble said:
Are you planning on installing the complete motor? If you keep the intake manifolds from the 2800 you won't have to worry about booster clearance. If you get the E32 motor you'll need to adapt the passenger side motor mount, easily done with a length of 1/4x3 bar stock.
Click to expand...
I am planning on using the b35 intake with the motronics 1.3
But the 2800 intake and carbs might still be an option.
For the engine mount, this what i have been reading all over the forums. However, the bad b35 i currently have is out of an e32 (1988) and seems to fit fine! Unless I am missing something? I used the b28 mounts and it sits as it should I think
The radiator fan clearance seems ok
Radiator is from e32 as well and there for fit check only as I do not have the car’s original radiator
 

Attachments

  • 77DE0A00-9F64-440F-8AF3-90CE7D9021EF.jpeg
    77DE0A00-9F64-440F-8AF3-90CE7D9021EF.jpeg
    348 KB · Views: 113
  • 81DA529A-C716-46F1-B9EA-8CAA2689701E.jpeg
    81DA529A-C716-46F1-B9EA-8CAA2689701E.jpeg
    383.3 KB · Views: 123
  • 180DC150-5958-4119-9002-E8CD271B02CF.jpeg
    180DC150-5958-4119-9002-E8CD271B02CF.jpeg
    341.8 KB · Views: 122
  • 36843F28-19DE-4542-BCEC-C7AF2D9D1643.jpeg
    36843F28-19DE-4542-BCEC-C7AF2D9D1643.jpeg
    301.1 KB · Views: 114
  • 788CBE83-4475-4ACE-81A4-CCFDB615BD5A.jpeg
    788CBE83-4475-4ACE-81A4-CCFDB615BD5A.jpeg
    408.8 KB · Views: 111
And if you can’t drive the motor you will buy I would open it up, check bores, replace rings, bearings, chains, it is cheap insurance.
 
HB Chris said:
And if you can’t drive the motor you will buy I would open it up, check bores, replace rings, bearings, chains, it is cheap insurance.
Click to expand...
I am buying it from a junkyard that offers a 90 days warranty. They will let me do compression test on it so I will do that.
And of course, i will open it up and do as you recommended at some point.
 
I'm a little more pragmatic about my motors. I look at a motor from a 7-series and think to myself - how was this motor treated? First off, this is a motor from a very expensive luxury car and probably was serviced on a regular basis by BMW, driven by an adult and not abused. If you can get them for $675 with less than 200K, compression tested with a warranty, buy three and put two in your garage. If the first one fails, sell it to someone who wants to rebuild it and put in one of your spares. Much more cost effective than spending big $$$ on a rebuild, and it requires much less downtime for your car. I don't know how much you plan to drive your car, but I drive mine every day and my present B35 motor is running great, and I don't expect to have to dip into my spares for several years.
 
Mike Goble said:
I'm a little more pragmatic about my motors. I look at a motor from a 7-series and think to myself - how was this motor treated? First off, this is a motor from a very expensive luxury car and probably was serviced on a regular basis by BMW, driven by an adult and not abused. If you can get them for $675 with less than 200K, compression tested with a warranty, buy three and put two in your garage. If the first one fails, sell it to someone who wants to rebuild it and put in one of your spares. Much more cost effective than spending big $$$ on a rebuild, and it requires much less downtime for your car. I don't know how much you plan to drive your car, but I drive mine every day and my present B35 motor is running great, and I don't expect to have to dip into my spares for several years.
Click to expand...
I would love to have as many of those motors as i can, but cash, space and wife won’t allow me to get more than one.
I am most likely going to get the E32 engine sometime next week because it is a 100+ miles drive from home.
 
Mike Goble said:
You can stash a B35 long block under the average workbench and have room left over for a small-block Chevy...
Click to expand...
I thought I would never read these words in this forum “small-block Chevy”
One of my co-workers would love to see me put an LS engine in my Bavaria and he was trying to convince me… i was almost convinced…
But I came back to my senses and resisted the temptations…
 
Ezz said:
I thought I would never read these words in this forum “small-block Chevy”
One of my co-workers would love to see me put an LS engine in my Bavaria and he was trying to convince me… i was almost convinced…
But I came back to my senses and resisted the temptations…
Click to expand...
I have a 67 Nova wagon as well as my E3. I bought the SBC for it many years ago, before I decided to use an M30B35 instead.
 
Ezz said:
One of my co-workers would love to see me put an LS engine in my Bavaria and he was trying to convince me… i was almost convinced…
But I came back to my senses and resisted the temptations…
Click to expand...

You made the right choice. Co-workers usually think that others should put an LS into anything and everything; after all, it isn't their problem and the guys on television make it look so simple (which is probably the extent their experience) . My nephew tried putting a SBC into an 80's era 6 series. He quickly found that an engine bay designed for a straight 6 was too narrow for a V8. I think it was after he had put the 6th U joint into the steering column that he realized the futility of the endeavor.
 
Last edited:
jmackro said:
You made the right choice. Co-workers usually think that others should put an LS into anything and everything; after all, it isn't their problem and the guys on television make it look so simple (which is probably the extent their experience) . My nephew tried putting a SBC into an 80's era 6 series. He quickly found that an engine bay designed for a straight 6 was too narrow for a V8. I think it was after he had put the 6th U joint into the steering column that he realized the futility of the endeavor.
Click to expand...
He is a knowledgable person and has been in the hobby for decades and I think he is right in terms of reliability and parts availability IF the build is done properly.
However, it wasn’t for my skill level or budget.
Plus the m30 looks better in the E3 anyways!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top