Ep. 18 My BMW E30 Restoration - Does my S38 swap fit?

Just a quick video, but I thought I would go through the process of mocking up the bare engine before I start on the rebuild. Some slight firewall modifications were required to get the engine in the furthest rear position, this is required as there is not much room at the front. Also lowered the engine by 20mm to gain more bonnet clearance, I have gone past my actual planned height but this can be altered with different engine mount bushings.
The engine is now disassembled again and has been sent off for reboring for the new oversized CP pistons.
Time Codes:
Intro - 0:00
Initial mock up - 1:09
Clearancing - 2:36
More mocking up - 2:54
Lowering engine - 3:52
Engine mount modifications: 4:40
Disassembly: 6:44

[@myeditedhandle]

Love to see it man

[@PompeyMatt17]

nice one mate, that gold head looks superb against the green body

[@BadE30]

Thanks Matt! Yes should work really well once the engine bay has been painted, not long now!

[@MJPilote]

Not to throw a wrench in your gears, but why the old heavy s38 engine? Expensive and to be honest obsolete engine. Yeah it looks cool but the cool factor aside. I got rid of the old cossie YB for the same reasons. Mostly nostalgic and obsolete expensive engine. Did go for a more modern engine, just 20 years old 😂

[@BadE30]

It is my dream engine, and arguably the best period correct bmw engine. It is heavy, but I’m not here for performance as such, obviously it will be rather fast.. I feel a car this age needs a proper mechanical engine, metal cam cover etc..

[@jivanchanna5036]

I agree, I would love an E30 with a Honda K24 swap. It just looks and feels right being a 4 cylinder engine preserving the handling characteristics the E30 was known for. E30’s were not known for making monster HP. They were called God’s chariot because they were so incredibly well balanced on the track and could out handle much more powerful cars.

[@dhilankerai3585]

Why not go for the S38? It’s something different you always see the m5x/s5x being put in an e30. The build will be one of a kind for sure 👍

[@BadE30]

@@jivanchanna5036 if I was building it for track then yes I would have gone down a similar route to this! But it will just be for driving on the road🫡

[@MJPilote]

@@BadE30 I understand the dream engine part. I had it too. Nothing wrong with that! Thanks for the reply. I wish you all the best on your path to your dream engine vehicle.

[@danfreeman-langford2202]

no