Just to help anyone local looking to do this... another donor. $700 for a running 325i:
Just to help anyone local looking to do this... another donor. $700 for a running 325i:
Tom_Spangler wrote: This thread has given me bad ideas. It can't be as cheap and easy as the website says... can it?
I have been doing a ton of research on bimmer forums and people there say it really is a simple swap. Many members have done it for under $2000. Ideally I would like to spend $3000 for the car/basic swap. Not including suspension mods and motor mods. The first swap I did about 8 years ago was a RB20DET swap into s13 240sx, my buddy and I built about 5 of them for local people. From what I have seen the 5.0/e36 swap should be easier than that swap was. People say that the e36v8.com swap manual is worth its weight in gold! So I will be buying that with my swap kit for sure.
I have found a few running e36s for $1000-1800 locally and mustang drivetrains for $600-1000. This looks like it could end up being the cheapest of the track car builds I was considering and perhaps the most fun! I have owned an e36 previously (1994 325i w/ 175k) and that car was a nightmare. I sold it after owning it for only about three months, bought it from an ex girlfriend who was tired of fixing it. There was CONSTANTLY things going wrong, mostly that had to do with the drivetrain. I swore I would never own another bmw, but I am making an exception since I will be replacing the pieces that gave me the most trouble on my last car. haha
-Josh
Strike_Zero wrote: In reply to Tom_Spangler: Lots o variables. I think with patience and luck to score some great deals, it can be done at challenge price. Heck, I got two sets of GT40P headers for $120. My biggest expense was the motor. I did a full rebuild on mine and added some factory goodies. I was still under $1K (until I got that shiny Canton oil pan) with the motor. If I had the space when I started the build, I would have brought a wrecked Foxbody, part that sucka out for some cash, and layeth the smack down a aluminum headed 302. I've seen the 302/T5 package go for $600-800 around here.
Have you started a thread on here or bimmer forum detailing your swap? I am curious to see more builds! I have looked at all the ones on bimmer forums that I could find. If not I would be interested in seeing some pics and hearing some more about your experience! E-mail would work well if you dont want to start a thread. My e-mail is JPHedberg@live.com
Thanks,
Josh
I started the thread here and haven't had steady updates on it like I should.
This weekend I "SHOULD" have the motor finished. I'll update the other thread with Pics when I'm done.
I've been eyeballing this particular swap possibility since I first saw it mentioned here. One quick question though...when looking for a donor (assuming the end result will be essentially a dedicated motorsports flog-mobile), is there any real advantage/disadvantage to an e36 coupe vs. sedan? From what I can find online they're both the same overall length - is that true? It also seems like it's easier to find a non-sunroof sedan. Suspension- and brake-wise I assume all of the usual suspect perf bits will bolt to either with no issues.
Just picked up my donor GT this weekend. Hoping to have it done by next spring.
I'm not an authority on BMWs, but I understand that for the E36s the two-door and four-door chassis have the same wheelbase. Great reason for a four-door sleeper.
David
I like that the sedan had door frames around the windows: no need for the window to go down when you pull the door handle then back up when you close the door. (Which is what happens on the coupes)
The sedan has more headroom. I'm circus size at 6'5" and can't fit in the coupe at all. The sedan has plenty of headroom for me.
Before I buy the book (which I'm going to do soon), does it make any difference if you start off with a 4 or 6-cylinder donor car? Does the 6 get a beefier rear end?
I would say start with the six. Bigger diff and axles. . .
Strike_Zero wrote: I would say start with the six. Bigger diff and axles. . .
Good advice, I was not aware of that! Thanks
Is it wrong that I want to do this to an e36 convertible?
SWMBO wants a convertible if we get a 4th car......Everyone wins with this one and its definately more awesome than a wrangler.
Dooooo eeeeeettttt!! 
Is it wrong to do it to an E30 convertible? If so I think being wrong is going to be alright.
Engine and trans are out of the donor, and waiting to be transplanted.
Here's a swapped car that needs some work to finish. Found this on Craiglook this morning.
http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/1952713840.html
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