Hello, how to 540?

[spyderg0d]

Hi. I'm a 3 series guy usually with hopd up E36 wanna be m3 very... Anyway, today while at the yard I spotted a mint e34 540 or 530 I'm not sure. But its got a v8 In it. The car looks like nothing is wrong what so ever. So. After the small amount of research I see the Nicasil lining. And I can see this as probable cause for this beautiful car sitting untouched at the yard. How do I go about repairing it if indeed is the problem? If its able to be done diy or engines are locatable or I can swap engines up to the trans In it? What would it take?
Thanks, e36 guy

[MehMan]

Hi. I'm a 3 series guy usually with hopd up E36 wanna be m3 very... Anyway, today while at the yard I spotted a mint e34 540 or 530 I'm not sure. But its got a v8 In it. The car looks like nothing is wrong what so ever. So. After the small amount of research I see the Nicasil lining. And I can see this as probable cause for this beautiful car sitting untouched at the yard. How do I go about repairing it if indeed is the problem? If its able to be done diy or engines are locatable or I can swap engines up to the trans In it? What would it take?
Thanks, e36 guy

You don't. You replace the engine with an alusil one, IF the nikasil one is gone. It's not as much of a problem today as it was back in 1995-2005ish.
Doing an engine swap with the same block is pretty easy, you just yank the old one out and put the "new" one in. Everything bolts up. If you want to go from a B30 to a B40 it takes a tad bit more work, mainly you have to get the proper ECU and transmission, the B30 uses a 5HP18 while the B40 uses a 5HP30. I think they both use the same casing, somebody correct me on this if I'm wrong, so the drive shaft could remain the same, but I'm almost certain the final gear in the diff isn't the same. Beyond that, it's plug and play really.

[M540fella]

If it's an automatic, that's probably the issue. The Nikasil issue is pretty much not a problem as most were swapped out by dealerships and the ones that made this far are likely ok if they made this long. You can use a 6speed from an e34 or from an e39.

[T444E]

Ouch.

[spyderg0d]

So. How hard is it to find said block? Price range? I've swapped motors before and whatnot. I was thinking of the spare m50tub25 I have to transplant if engine is bad seeing it did come in the e34 idk which. But. Since he said tranny? What tranny? Cost? Availability?

[zubbie]

If it's the tranny it's most likely a valve body issue. google ZF 5HP30 valve body problems

[bennyg]

Before you go pricing stuff just drive it. Also a low compression test will give a good idea if a terminal nikasil problem is there. The m60 is a reliable capable engine that sounds great and revs hard... if maintained properly.

Btw a manual conversion will transform the car but a shorter ratio diff can wake it up too

[spyderg0d]

Its in junkyard. It doesn't drive as anyone's guess. So. I need price possibilities before I end up giving it back to the scrap yard.

[Binjammin]

Its in junkyard. It doesn't drive as anyone's guess. So. I need price possibilities before I end up giving it back to the scrap yard.

You should buy a BMW e34 from a junkyard so we'll all have someone to laugh at.

[spyderg0d]

Ok. Fine with me. I got my e36 325i from a junkyard. Now I crush m3's with it. And get offers above $7,000. Sometime in the next few yrs my 540 will be most likely better looking, maintained, and faster than yours. So. Lauph all you want stuck up a hole.

[MehMan]

Ok. Fine with me. I got my e36 325i from a junkyard. Now I crush m3's with it.

Teach me master.

[e34Croak]

Ok. Fine with me. I got my e36 325i from a junkyard. Now I crush m3's with it. And get offers above $7,000. Sometime in the next few yrs my 540 will be most likely better looking, maintained, and faster than yours. So. Lauph all you want stuck up a hole.

"Promises, and they still feel all so wasted on myself."

[Binjammin]

Ok. Fine with me. I got my e36 325i from a junkyard. Now I crush m3's with it. And get offers above $7,000. Sometime in the next few yrs my 540 will be most likely better looking, maintained, and faster than yours. So. Lauph all you want stuck up a hole.

https://cdn-webimages.wimages.net/051652b2d6c06b10103570b0713782dc6afea3-wm.jpg



https://new1.fjcdn.com/pictures/That+s+great+dear_ffe138_4397142.jpg

[Waitedog]

rofl

[Steve547i]

Ok. Fine with me. I got my e36 325i from a junkyard. Now I crush m3's with it. And get offers above $7,000. Sometime in the next few yrs my 540 will be most likely better looking, maintained, and faster than yours. So. Lauph all you want stuck up a hole.
None of this is true lol. Ill laugh now. Ill laugh later.

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I cant tell that ben is over 40 just by the meme's he uses :rofl . Have you heard about this troll face thing, Ben?

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lol op:
I like intellectual convorsation, phylosophy to physics. I play guitar and piano fluently as a second language. I love my job repairing and restoreing residential structures. Im all about social gatherings. I really feel im much deeper than I can explain on this. O_0

[Binjammin]

:rofl

Sometimes the old ways are the best ways? After all, the easiest way to convey a meme is with an image macro, I think I summed up everything nicely. :D

[BleedsBlue]

Lauph all you want stuck up a hole.

Bin lemme know if you need help getting out of that hole you're stuck up in, man, or if you need lauphing tips. Actually nvm, not sure how to lauph.

[mboor]

you clearly need an E36 to lauph

[spyderg0d]

Well I bought it. Went from the 12sec n/a club to the high 16's in a e34 flash. Lol. But hey I bough another one for $1250 on the way back. So that's two for $1500 bucks! Just needs seats and a bit of wiring. Hey, that means I'm in the club right guys!? Sry bout the a hole thing.

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Wth did the history come from btw?

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But ya, didn't buy e36 fro. Scrap yard but it was close. Total lemon. Hg failed 150 miles I. To the ownership. Replaced everything under the hood. Stoked to 3.0 liter, rebuilt zf tranny and put 3.91 LSD in. Sprint headers and m54b30 cams. I beat few stock m3's over the summer In Rome -manlius area.

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I actually took 2 garbage bags full of loose wiring left by teenage radio systems out of the car when I was figuring out why the parking break turned on the low beams and low beams turned on high beams. Was very stupid.

[Binjammin]

If you have had offers of $7,000 with that combination of $2000 in parts, you're a fool for not taking it.

[spyderg0d]

Well there's a lot more. Total Interior black out, restored, led lighting, custom system with custom speaker pods with full accessabilty din. custom push button start. Hidden door lock toggles. Style 81 wheels, spacers, custom fender flares. Bilstien sport suspension's, rebuilt suspension, e46,heated power sport seats with working in seat memory. Short shift kit, total engine build with rated for turbo (whenever I buy the turbo). I'm pretty much just waiting for turbo, bodykit, and obviously the vinyl.

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Lightweight flywheel stage three clutch, asc delete, digi climate install, rollover bar limiter of 1", (keeps the window from stretching), front strut brace, upgraded x-brace, new trunk liners. There's a lot more. But. Can't remember everything.

[Bimmerick]

You should buy a BMW e34 from a junkyard so we'll all have someone to laugh at.


https://cdn-webimages.wimages.net/051652b2d6c06b10103570b0713782dc6afea3-wm.jpg



https://new1.fjcdn.com/pictures/That+s+great+dear_ffe138_4397142.jpg


:rofl

Sometimes the old ways are the best ways? After all, the easiest way to convey a meme is with an image macro, I think I summed up everything nicely. :D


If you have had offers of $7,000 with that combination of $2000 in parts, you're a fool for not taking it.

8.3 posts a day, EVERYDAY since June 2007...

[ShapeShifter]

Well I bought it. Went from the 12sec n/a club to the high 16's in a e34 flash. Lol. But hey I bough another one for $1250 on the way back. So that's two for $1500 bucks! Just needs seats and a bit of wiring. Hey, that means I'm in the club right guys!? Sry bout the a hole thing.


Wth did the history come from btw?



But ya, didn't buy e36 fro. Scrap yard but it was close. Total lemon. Hg failed 150 miles I. To the ownership. Replaced everything under the hood. Stoked to 3.0 liter, rebuilt zf tranny and put 3.91 LSD in. Sprint headers and m54b30 cams. I beat few stock m3's over the summer In Rome -manlius area.


I actually took 2 garbage bags full of loose wiring left by teenage radio systems out of the car when I was figuring out why the parking break turned on the low beams and low beams turned on high beams. Was very stupid.

:eyecrazy

[spyderg0d]

And I wouldn't sell my e36 for any of that. My father helped me work on this e36. (Passed away). He was a hardcore old american car guy. Mopar owner ect. This was the first bmw he ever worked on besides a 2002 way back. And he liked it enouph to drive it to vt and back. My old man worked on cars before fuel injection an power steering was a thing. Lmao

[Binjammin]

8.3 posts a day, EVERYDAY since June 2007...

Either reading and writing is way more difficult for you than it is for me, or it just comes more naturally for me than it does for you, but clearly you dont understand how averaging works. Yes, that is my average post count, but even when I took almost 2 years off from posting it still kept my average post (according to the forum) at just over 8 per day.

Funny that I manage to get my life in there at the same time, huh?


Or did this take you all morning to read? Were you up all night typing your post? :rofl

[mboor]

OP, How did you get a 12 sec time slip out of an N/A E36? Let alone without cams or head work? Please share your secrets... I thought you were foolish for not selling it until i read that it was a project that you and your father worked on. You can't put a price tag on sentimental value. What 2 E34's do you now own?

[spyderg0d]

I did cam it. And the m50tub30 stroker wiyh rotating assembly from x5. Most exhaust cams from i6's are same. But intakes from higher displacements are usually better. M54b30 intake cam is same as a s50 intake cam profile. Also. Head is polished,cleaned, ect. But even with all the engine work and mods I get rouphly 230 fwhp. The trick is the 3.91 LSD and the wheel size. I can roast tires in any gear given the 275lb torque. And the ratio in thee tranny are relatively low. 5th gear puts the cs and ds on a 1:1. So 5th gear gets me from 20mph idle to around 130mph redline. I can cut a 0-60 at a 4.8 sec. (Not that I do quarter's on fifth) drop in second gets me to 35 in about 2.5 sec given hot day and im on good black top. A passenger kills time.

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Ei. 325ic weighs at 2100lb with me in it given weight reductions, lighter seats, spare tire removal, ect.

[ShapeShifter]

Sentences and paragraphs, you should try them. It is pretty difficult to assimilate what you are saying.

[spyderg0d]

He ^ asked how I got 12sec runs with a na e36... I told him.

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Oh. I don't have e24's. E34's? Did the phone fudge up another typing scenario? I just bought 2 e34 540's.

[mboor]

I did cam it. And the m50tub30 stroker wiyh rotating assembly from x5. Most exhaust cams from i6's are same. But intakes from higher displacements are usually better. M54b30 intake cam is same as a s50 intake cam profile. Also. Head is polished,cleaned, ect. But even with all the engine work and mods I get rouphly 230 fwhp. The trick is the 3.91 LSD and the wheel size. I can roast tires in any gear given the 275lb torque. And the ratio in thee tranny are relatively low. 5th gear puts the cs and ds on a 1:1. So 5th gear gets me from 20mph idle to around 130mph redline. I can cut a 0-60 at a 4.8 sec. (Not that I do quarter's on fifth) drop in second gets me to 35 in about 2.5 sec given hot day and im on good black top. A passenger kills time.

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Ei. 325ic weighs at 2100lb with me in it given weight reductions, lighter seats, spare tire removal, ect.


That make a lot more sense. You left out some key factors that had me a little skeptical. With an intake, cams, some head work and rear gear is seems a bit more realistic. The 3.91's and the 2100lb curb weight Must a large part of that.

I knew you bought 1 E34 540i, but when you said you picked up another on the way home, i didn't know if you ment another 540, or just another E34.

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Where's the pics?

[BleedsBlue]

Ei. 325ic weighs at 2100lb with me in it given weight reductions, lighter seats, spare tire removal, ect.

Impossibru. I'm assuming you meant 3100?

If so, you've basically got a bolt-on E36 M3, with no roof or suspension. Not surprised you can beat stock E36 M3s.

[whiskychaser]

Ok. Fine with me. I got my e36 325i from a junkyard. Now I crush m3's with it. And get offers above $7,000. Sometime in the next few yrs my 540 will be most likely better looking, maintained, and faster than yours. So. Lauph all you want stuck up a hole.
I'm sure you can get some great deals at a junkyard. I imagine you just have to know the lingo?:
http://natgeotv.com/uk/strippers-cars-for-cash/videos/strippers-money-talk
(Translation service available)

[spyderg0d]

Ya. Looked through the weight log I had. Car weighed 2935lbs when I bought it. Minus the 35 lb spare, 53lb per seat from old to new. 35lb from cast headers to steal headers. 5 lb intake. 20 lb wire loss. 60 lb to new wheels. 10 lb lightweight batt ect.. Ya. Says estimated at 2450 lbs with driver. There's a lot of heavy crap in a e36.

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Ya. I had the red 540 on a trailer going home and on the way a green 540 sat in a front yard with for sale sign. I stopped and asked. Lady said the light domes on for the headlights of somthing , the windows fall off track and the front seats are bad. So. I figured it goes and has a clean title. So. I guess I bought a reg 540 and a parts car. Lol. Pretty good day if you ask me. Even has a moon roof. Tehe

[BleedsBlue]

By that list of weight reduction, I get 2665# without driver. I don't understand your maths. It's hard to get a street E36 down to 2500lbs, let alone a convertible, let alone with interior, let alone with a driver.

Either way, I'm sure the car screams.

[spyderg0d]

There's a million other things too for weight loss too small to be on the list. Hence the "ect". But I imagine I'll go along the same lines for the 540. I'm sure I'll mod everything I can until its just how I want it. Now I just have to research until I find out exactly what this car can do. Which brings me back to orig ?. What does everyone use their 540 for?

[ShapeShifter]

Which brings me back to orig ?. What does everyone use their 540 for?

Do you want a 100 different answers or do you want one that aligns with your goals? :dunno

When I had my E34's it was for hauling things and DD duties. If you want something nimble and "quick" choose another platform that has a
better power/weight ratio....

[BleedsBlue]

Member imae30driver has a thread that you'll find helpful. Most definitely use their 540is as fast daily/tourers, but Dinan sure built a great race car out of one.

[spyderg0d]

Ok thanks. I'll deff be upgrading the obvs. Body kit, lower it a tiny bit with some larger wheels and a vinyl job. Seems like a good distance traveling car. Maybe throw in a few dins in the seats and whatnot. Idk.

[e34Croak]

I'll deff be upgrading the obvs. Body kit, lower it a tiny bit with some larger wheels and a vinyl job. Seems like a good distance traveling car. Maybe throw in a few dins in the seats and whatnot. Idk.
548842

[spyderg0d]

Well jeesh dude. Every car I buy I turn into a sho car for the most part. But pimp not ye bimmer, for the fresh laden road is with. Style, grace, and class.*applause arises from bimmerdome

[ShapeShifter]

Vinyl and class do not go in the same sentence.

[Binjammin]

There's a million other things too for weight loss too small to be on the list. Hence the "ect". But I imagine I'll go along the same lines for the 540. I'm sure I'll mod everything I can until its just how I want it. Now I just have to research until I find out exactly what this car can do. Which brings me back to orig ?. What does everyone use their 540 for?

There are not 900lbs worth of weight savings to be shaved down on an e36. I call BS on this one.

[spyderg0d]

This guy went crazy on his coupe and got under 2200. http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1185804-Lightest-e36-race-car-around

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You just don't like anything I say do you? Lol.

[Binjammin]

This guy went crazy on his coupe and got under 2200. http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1185804-Lightest-e36-race-car-around

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You just don't like anything I say do you? Lol.


Yes. Went crazy, and only got to 100lbs ABOVE what you're claiming. And you've got an interior and a not gutted, not caged, not race car.

It's not that I don't like anything you say, it's that you type as if you don't want anyone to read what you say. It's extraordinarily difficult to decipher what you're saying, so I just filter the bullcrap out. Claims like 2100lbs for a street e36 are the stuff that stands out.

[Steve547i]

I know e30 verts are heavier than the non vert ones due to the extra bracing to make up from the lack of roof. Are e36's the same?

[Binjammin]

I know e30 verts are heavier than the non vert ones due to the extra bracing to make up from the lack of roof. Are e36's the same?

Yeah, verts get more bracing to make up for the lack of a roof holding the car together. Drive any convertible and put the top down, put your hand on the top edge of the windshield and drive over some train tracks, you'll feel the whole body flex significantly.

[spyderg0d]

The only extra bracing the e36 vert gets is two runs of angles sheet steel below the top box. Lol. Other than that the bolt on x brace that came with every e36 post 95. The car twists more because there isn't a top to hold the front to the back chassis besides the floor. E36 verts weigh up to 250lb less. Depe lnding on options. And you deff have an issue here. I'm going to abandon this post as its turned into a debate on my e36 when I just want info on my 540.

[BleedsBlue]

I'm sorry this thread went off-topic, but you've made statements that are factually untrue and we're a bunch of anal nerds. E36 convertibles are in fact about 200lbs heavier than equivalent coupe/sedans.

As I said before, I'm sure that frankenmotor screams and have no doubts that you surprise and roll on stock M3s, your car is just heavier than you think.