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Thread: My V8 E30 swap, from a ford guy

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
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    Waxhaw, NC
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    189
    My Cars
    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo

    My V8 E30 swap, from a ford guy/UPDATE SC

    I've been reading on the forums for a few years now but rarely posted. I bought my e30 three years ago. My DD is a Ford F-350 turbo diesel so I needed something better on fuel. I ended up falling in love with the E30. Swapped in a 5 lug setup and DS-II rims. Front setup from a E36 M3 and rear setup from a 318ti. Fell more in love with her!

    Engine got weak so i decided to swap in a V8
    Motor was out of a 97' Explorer so it has to GT-40 heads and upper/lower intake. Rebuilt the motor swapped in a Trick Flow Stage 1 cam, dual valves springs, ported the heads, intake. swapped over to hydrolic clutch. Now for the brakes I got a hold of a Geo Metro booster and a Kia Spectra master cyl. Made a adapter plate and new lines. Fabbed up a sheet metal oil pan, driver side header as well. Passenger side used a aftermarket Mustang header with minor fabrication. Sent them out and got them aluminium ceramic coated.

    15 months later, took so long when I started the projected we had two kids now we have three. And many other adult life things. Finally took her for a drive tonight. WOW just nasty. Left a 100' mark in front of my house .
    Sorry for the blurry picture. Wife just dropped my DSLR camera and damaged the lens. Have to buy a new lens soon.





    Last edited by arathbone; 01-29-2012 at 10:17 PM. Reason: forgot something

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    247
    My Cars
    96 E36 Coyote 5.0
    Awesome! Videos please! Is that the same Summit racing 26" radiator I have? Did you hard pipe the radiator hoses? I'm pretty sure thats what I am going to have to do as well.

    I picked up that Nissan slave and it looks like it will work better. Thanks for the tip.

    I took the coupe out with the I6 and was having a blast. Can't wait to get it swapped over.
    Last edited by Fendbass22; 03-21-2011 at 09:11 PM.
    E36 5.0 Coyote DOHC V8 Swap - Build Thread Here

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Waxhaw, NC
    Posts
    189
    My Cars
    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    Yes that is the same Summit radiator. And I welded up a line for the upper rad hose. The wife has been asking for a video camera so now I need one to. Looks like we are going shopping.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Orlando, FL
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    432
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M-Blasphemy
    Nice project. I love the "To protect your investment" sticker!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Brooklyn
    Posts
    84
    My Cars
    '04 545i
    Vids plsssss !

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Waxhaw, NC
    Posts
    189
    My Cars
    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    Took the car for a drive today but ran into a issue. The brakes were being applied even though I was cruising and not touching the brakes! Had to readjust the brake pedal rod. Been fine since, took her to the gas station to fill up. A lot of looks don't know if it's due to driving with out a hood or the exhaust? But going to drive her to work hopefully it goes smooth.
    Last edited by arathbone; 03-22-2011 at 10:03 PM. Reason: .

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Catonsville
    Posts
    192
    My Cars
    e92 e36 old toyo pickup
    Looks great, but man... we need vids!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Buena Park
    Posts
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    too many
    i love the pic with the bmw sticker that says " to protect ur investment" lol and a ford motor right next to it epic....nice build man
    66 chevy c10 panel
    92 325i (sold)(bought back)(sold)
    94 m-tech
    98 m3 (parted out)
    91 325i (sold)
    87 325e (junked)
    87 325i (junked)
    97 318i
    79 euro 911

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    41
    My Cars
    '98 M3
    Like it.

    What were the tougher challenges of the swap?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Waxhaw, NC
    Posts
    189
    My Cars
    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    Thanks guys! The toughest part is to much to list. But I'll try.
    1. Fabbing the oil pan so it held enough oil and won't hit the frame
    2. Fabbing the driver side header. Steering shaft in the way and so was the frame, sway bar as well. Oh yeah the brake booster and master cyl.
    3. electrical what a mess! Wires all over.
    4. Making the exhaust and having it so damn close to the floor board so I had as much ground clearance as possible.
    Just the E30 engine bay gives you no room for much at all.

    Drove the car to work today and she ran great. A lot of looks, still driving with no hood.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Orlando FL
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    18
    My Cars
    86 3 Series 2dr
    Did you use GT40 or GT40P heads with the Explorer intake?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
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    Waxhaw, NC
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    189
    My Cars
    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    GT40 heads.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Orlando FL
    Posts
    18
    My Cars
    86 3 Series 2dr
    Did you use a front sump oil pan and cut to fit the frame? Any pic's?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    jacksonville, fl
    Posts
    2,229
    My Cars
    e36 m3 Ls2, 318I, 325is
    very nice

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
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    Waxhaw, NC
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    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    Well after driving the car for the past couple of months, I'm bored with her a little. I need to mix it up a little.

    So I just picked up a Vortech S-trim supercharger.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    114
    My Cars
    89 5.0 e30, 87 spec e30
    I just got my rebuilt 5.0 back so I should have it back in my 89 shortly. I do still need to do some work on the clutch hydraulics and get the tach working but the list is very short now.

    E cam gt40 heads and intake.

    Great project.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Long Island
    Posts
    3,712
    My Cars
    E34 535i
    More pics in daylight please!!

  18. #18
    M5Hunter is offline Still has a E39 Supporting Vendor
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    Hanover, VA
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    Quote Originally Posted by arathbone View Post
    GT40 heads.
    FYI 96.5+ explorers have 8.8:1 gt40p heads.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Waxhaw, NC
    Posts
    189
    My Cars
    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    Quote Originally Posted by 357i View Post
    FYI 96.5+ explorers have 8.8:1 gt40p heads.
    That's not always true. My motor came out of a 97 Explorer with production date of 10/96. And before I got the motor I checked for the three virtical bars and stamp with GT.

    E30 and my F350

    It will be tight but will be able to slide the supercharger in there.


    Last edited by arathbone; 10-03-2011 at 03:02 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    114
    My Cars
    89 5.0 e30, 87 spec e30
    What radiator are you running?

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Waxhaw, NC
    Posts
    189
    My Cars
    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    Summit racing alum. rad. Daily drove on hot 100 degree days with no problem. Running stock temp thermostat as well.
    http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-380425/

    Last edited by arathbone; 10-29-2011 at 04:36 PM.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Waxhaw, NC
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    My Cars
    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    Power is awesome but hungry for more! Super Charger time

    Got some progress done today. Mounted the 94/95 mustang vortech bracket and SC test fitted. Had to cut a small notch in the frame. Will reweld and reinforce area. The Explorer brackets are set back 1/4 inch so I'll have to shim the driver side bracket. And install the 94/95 harmonic balancer.

    Last edited by arathbone; 10-31-2011 at 02:48 PM.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    las vegas nevada, sin30
    Posts
    30
    My Cars
    slammed 87' 325e
    damn do i love your e30!!!! how much
    HP you at? and a roll cage in it or no?

  24. #24
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    1,273
    My Cars
    2E36,E34,E38,Dak,780,V
    Quote Originally Posted by arathbone View Post
    Power is awesome but hungry for more! Super Charger time

    Got some progress done today. Mounted the 94/95 mustang vortech bracket and SC test fitted. Had to cut a small notch in the frame. Will reweld and reinforce area. The Explorer brackets are set back 1/4 inch so I'll have to shim the driver side bracket. And install the 94/95 harmonic balancer.

    I can't believe I missed this!! You are right up the road from me!!
    -=PJ
    Strike Zero's Garage
    ==================================================
    2006 SCR-SCCA Street Mod Champion
    1982 Toyota Corolla
    1988 Volvo 780
    1993 BMW 318is: Gas Sipper
    1993 BMW 325is => 350is: Track Rat
    1994 BMW 530i + 5spd
    1997 BMW 740i: Hwy Killah!!
    1998 Honda VFR800FI: Gear Driven Cam Goodness
    2000 Dodge Dakota: V8 + 5spd = Smokey Fun
    2000 Lincoln LS V6 5spd
    2004 Pontiac GTO - RIP
    2005 Cadillac CTS-V
    ==================================================
    "If not under warranty, live with it, or bend over and grab ankles."

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Waxhaw, NC
    Posts
    189
    My Cars
    E36 swapped 5.0 turbo
    Thank you. No roll cage now or don't plan on it in the near future. My two sons really enjoy car rides and taking it to soccer practice. Cars been sitting in the garage now for a few weeks untouched. Got some time off soon so hopefully I can escape to the garage to get some more work done.

    PJ325i about 1.5 hrs away?

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