My bad idea build thread.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 6:03 PM

So, ive been lurking for a while learning everything i can about m30's thanks to you guys.

Ive built turbo hondas, owned turbo subarus so wrenching is nothing new to me.

So much so that i have begun an oddball swap involving one. A M30b34 to be exact.

Quick break down.

I own a 1978 chevy nova/omega equipped with a horrible small block chevy.

I purchased an 87' 535i ex rally car with 5spd trans. (Floors were rotted so dont yell at me for what ive done to it)

After driving in a friends turbo e32 i fell in love with the m30. So I decided the m30b34 would and should fit in my nova.

So i have a motor. A rather large turbo, megasquirt ecu and wasted spark planned m30 in a classic chevy.

Pics

The nova

The e28

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 6:07 PM

More pics

No more v8

M30 before the motronic 1 to 1.3 swap

First trial fit

The b34 oil pan's sump was in the middle. So the motor sat high as hell. After swapping to a b35 pan and oil pick up tube, all got better.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 6:12 PM

Motor and trans are now in thier final resting spot.

Manifolds flipped for fabbing a mule manifold to get me througj the summer. Next winter i plan to build a full tubular.

E28 rad was the perfect width and thickness.

Now hiding a larger intercooler behind the factory grille. 4 inch core.

Hardly noticable.

Gm 3 coil wasted spark thanks to an e28 writeup.

Hopefully where i will mount the snail.

Thats all ive got so far. Any ideas or tips, lets hear em!

jboy2 · Post by **jboy2** » Feb 06, 2016 6:39 PM

I don't know what to say about this....

I doubt it will spin the tires at all!

Kyle in NO · Post by **Kyle in NO** » Feb 06, 2016 7:40 PM

Badass!!!!!

Shouldn't the engine be mounted much farther rearward though? You could use an engine driven can that way.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 9:03 PM

Jboye. I think your right lol

Kyle, the motor is where it is because i am firmly against cutting any crossmembers. The car will be driveable with the position easily, just need the custom driveshaft made longer.

The trans fits perfect. The m30 is much longer than the chevy motor was.

mitch5 · Post by **mitch5** » Feb 06, 2016 9:10 PM

That's awesome, I'm sure that will confuse some Chevy guys.

totheredline · Post by **totheredline** » Feb 06, 2016 10:07 PM

Unique, thats for sure!!! How much does the nova weigh??

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 10:27 PM

With the bmw motor, 2750lbs. Best guess.

Started at 3100lbs. Bmw motor and trans is 200lbs lighter than the old iron block and turbo 300 trans.

Then heater core delete and other luxury items scratched.

2700-2800lbs is my best guess.

daniels635turbo · Post by **daniels635turbo** » Feb 07, 2016 12:01 PM

Love it!!!
Any updates?

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Feb 07, 2016 1:02 PM

Wow, creative and I love it. And at that weight it ought to scream even in N/A form let alone with a snail attached.

Post by **Shawn D.** » Feb 07, 2016 2:47 PM

Neato! Looking forward to seeing it completed!

Mark 88/M5 Houston · Post by **Mark 88/M5 Houston** » Feb 07, 2016 7:57 PM

Nice to see someone stuffing a turbo M30 in a GM rather than the other way around.

davintosh · Post by **davintosh** » Feb 08, 2016 4:06 AM

So where's the bad idea?

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Feb 08, 2016 12:37 PM

Have you thought about using a b35 pan. Maybe it could have you more room to back it in more.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 08, 2016 1:09 PM

If you scroll up you will see that i have swapped to a b35 pan and oil pick up tube already.

The only way to set it back would be cutting the subframe. Which i am firmly against. This motor can literally be unbolted and i can bolt another small block in, or go LS later down the road.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 11, 2016 2:47 PM

Been making very slow progesss. Between a really cold snap of weather and the low canadian dollar, ive been holding off on ordering more parts.

Going to hopefully start fabbing the exhaust mani with a spare head we have laying around.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 11, 2016 2:54 PM

Double post

Das_Prachtstrasse · Post by **Das_Prachtstrasse** » Feb 11, 2016 6:06 PM

This is fantastic.

Post by **tig** » Feb 12, 2016 3:41 AM

cek Likes this.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 12, 2016 11:36 AM

Making some free part progress lol.

I needed a 4" to 3" exhaust reducer. The turbo has a 4" vband.

So Jboye had a brullen 4" gutted cat laying around. So we cut one end open and now have a 4" to 3" downpipe.

Just have to weld a v band flange to the open end a vola. Free downpipe. Lol

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » Feb 25, 2016 10:43 AM

Subscribed. Don't get me wrong the S5x swaps are really cool, but this one's gonna be really unique to watch!

You're nuts like us. Cool.

sir_taamy · Post by **sir_taamy** » Feb 25, 2016 4:30 PM

Whatisthat wrote: Gm 3 coil wasted spark thanks to an e28 writeup.

Very cool build!
What are the coils off of, are they stock GM parts? I've been debating doing a wasted spark conversion but I'm hesitant to spend $200-$300 on MSD coils.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 25, 2016 4:56 PM

I pulled these coils off a supercharged 3800 series v6 buick.

Junkyard special. Msd coils will happen if and when these fail.

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Feb 29, 2016 9:46 PM

Have you looked at this one?
less wiring.

https://www.diyautotune.com/product/ign ... coil-pack/

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 29, 2016 10:32 PM

I have. But the GM coil is only 3 or 4 wires once you strip out all of the extra mess in it.

Plus it was free... Lol

darbyhood · Post by **darbyhood** » Feb 29, 2016 10:40 PM

Did the exhaust manifolds still fit nicely flipped upside down or was there further modifications to that?

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 01, 2016 6:34 AM

Manifolds actually fit fine flipped. Ill get some pics once i start fabbing it up some more.

My only clearance issue is the height of the motor. Ill probably have to cowl the hood 2-3 inches to clear the intake manifold/throttle body.

zjfreak · Post by **zjfreak** » Mar 01, 2016 6:41 PM

Subscribed! This is gonna be sweet!

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 08, 2016 7:50 PM

Im still alive guys. With the warm weather approaching i will finally be able to start making some more progress on the car.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com