new guy

[bim bim]

hey everyone. my name is brandon and i have been a german car enthusiast for a long time and just got my first one 2 days ago. i have built many high performance imports(supra's and such) but i have always wanted to build a block body style bmw. now i have the chance. just wanted to say hi and ask a few questions.
i have a stock, 91 318i. i love the car and it is def. a project car. needs alot of body work. what i want to know about it is, will the tranny that is in the car now bolt on to the back of the 3.2/3.5 motor? what motor would be the best one to build to swap in? where and what are my options for the 4 lug wheels and aftermarket rims?
thanks y'all, im sure you all will see alot of me on here. L8
brandon

[mikese36]

Welcome:wave

[SilverBeam]

What engine are you talking about? You can swap in the E36 M3 motor, it is a fairly common swap, as long a swaps go. Actually Roundel just did a cover article on 2 E30s with S52 swaps. Perhaps someone near you has it and will let you borrow it. I think it was last months?

[bim bim]

is the article printed on here or on the net somewhere?

[SilverBeam]

is the article printed on here or on the net somewhere?

unfortunately it isn't on the net. How about I take it into work with me on monday and scan it for you? I'm sure if you spend some time on google and here you can find other information as well. The article talks a lot of about what is needed for the swap, though, so it would be a good read for you anyways.

[bim bim]

yeahy, scan it for me if you dont mind. also, you or anyone, wouldnt happen to know what the stock specs are on my car would you? curb wieght, gas tank size? that kind of stuff. im serching but not finding.

[SilverBeam]

www.edmunds.com search function. Sorry, they don't list a weight for your car. But I think it should be around 2700lbs
Exterior
Length: 176.8 in. Width: 64.8 in.
Height: 54.3 in. Wheel Base: 101.2 in.
Interior
Front Head Room: 37.7 in. Front Leg Room: 39.6 in.
Maximum Seating: 5
Performance Data

Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 4 Base Engine Size: 1.8 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4 Horsepower: 134 hp
Max Horsepower: 6000 rpm Torque: 127 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4600 rpm Drive Type: RWD

Fuel Data

Fuel
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.5 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual: 19 mpg / 25 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Manual: 275.5 mi. / 362.5 mi.

[Thaniel]

Welcome to the other side of the world! I've been playing with Japaneese cars for quite some time. This too is my first trip to the european world. But hey isn't that what project cars are all about? Learing new things? That and making a really fast car. Oh Yah....Got to be fast.

[ohnoes]

Welcome to the forums, Brandon!

You'll probably want to get to know the E30 forum (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=20) and its [often somewhat rude, yet mostly well-intentioned :D] posters.

I have the same car and love it. What color is yours? Mine is "alpineweiss" (alpine white); I believe that was the most common color for M42 (the powerplant in the 1991 4-banger E30's, as well as that in the E36 318's) E30's. Mine has about 146,000 miles and is running strong (well, it was... until I took it apart to replace the thermostat :shifty).

Pics or ban once you get 20 posts!

Oh, and I thought the M42's had 136 HP. What's with this 134 HP figure that SilverBeam is quoting? :shifty (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M42). Maybe that's the Euro version. :(

[organic///M]

Welcome to bimmerforums.com

[bim bim]

ill have pics tomorrow when it gets light outside. its red, kinda. haha, there are a couple different color body panels on it and some of the pieces from the stock body kit are missing too. mine has 187k on it but she is still strong. she is staying with the stock motor for a couple months until i get out of college and can afford to really play with it.