Are the wires and stuff the same?

[stevetigger]

If you put the later M50 2.5 into an E30 with the M20, would there be much difference in the wiring?? Or do you have to change it all over including the drive shafts and stuff?

[Andy335Touring]

Might be on the big M50 thread some where ?

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... hlight=m50

[stevetigger]

Cheers Andy

[stevetigger]

Looks just has hard as the 3.5 conversion! I will stick to the 2.7 I think

[Brianmoooore]

Actual wiring for an M50 c0nversion is easy enough, as the M50 goes in with it's own self contained engine loom (which doesn't even have to be removed from the engine). The only work required is cutting off of the E34/E36 equivalent of the C101 plug and replacing it with the plug from an E30.
The only problem is that the wiring is not quite long enough for the ECU to be mounted inside the car, like on an E30, so it needs to be extended or a waterproof enclosure made for it in the engine compartment.

[stevetigger]

Actual wiring for an M50 c0nversion is easy enough, as the M50 goes in with it's own self contained engine loom (which doesn't even have to be removed from the engine). The only work required is cutting off of the E34/E36 equivalent of the C101 plug and replacing it with the plug from an E30.
The only problem is that the wiring is not quite long enough for the ECU to be mounted inside the car, like on an E30, so it needs to be extended or a waterproof enclosure made for it in the engine compartment.

But what about the propshafts and stuff??

[r_9ore]

what is the benefit of the m50 engine over the m20?

[stevetigger]

what is the benefit of the m50 engine over the m20?

Mines a M40, but the benefits are there 24v

[Dan318-is]

what is the benefit of the m50 engine over the m20?

its a more modern engine. it will need less maintenance generally. it has more power from standard 6 cylinders, is more responsive due to the 24v, has lighter internals such as conrods, is probably more economical, it is chain driven, has a more modern, distributerless ignition system and also has less severe cylinder head cracking problems (Allegedly)

can suffer from nikasil issues tho!

[stevetigger]

can suffer from nikasil issues tho!

Not an early 325i outta the e36

[Dan318-is]

i suppose

most nikasil issues were dealt with anyway iirc werent they?

eg replacement engines were installed under warranty?

so a m50 that still has nikasil lining would actually be a rare find? apparently if you do find one you can just whack in a new set of rings an they are ok?? only what i have read mind

[DanThe]

Not as easy as that would need liners if there was a problem
Here ya go
http://web.archive.org/web/200410091927 ... ikasil.htm

[Dan318-is]

so it was only m52's and not m50's

[stevetigger]

Looks like the M50 was NOT affected, thought as much in the back of my mind!

[Brianmoooore]

But what about the propshafts and stuff??

Propshaft from E30 325 manual fits, and you need diff of around 2.9 - 3.4 :1 for use with the E36 gearbox.

[Dan318-is]

But what about the propshafts and stuff??

Propshaft from E30 325 manual fits, and you need diff of around 2.9 - 3.4 :1 for use with the E36 gearbox.

is that cos 5th is 1:1 instead of fourth?

[Brianmoooore]

But what about the propshafts and stuff??

Propshaft from E30 325 manual fits, and you need diff of around 2.9 - 3.4 :1 for use with the E36 gearbox.

is that cos 5th is 1:1 instead of fourth?

That's the reason. Otherwise you've got a useless 1st gear and no 5th.

[Dan318-is]

chrikey, interesting!!

so whats the point in six gears on the m3 models?

[r_9ore]

ah right, they are the e36 325i's...what power we talking standard? 180-185bhp?

[Dan318-is]

192 mate i think

[stevetigger]

So technically, I could put an m50 in my car with no problems other than change the diff??

[DanThe]

Try this
http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... hlight=m50

[stevetigger]

So you have to change the brake servo, I will stick to the M20 lump me thinks and make an awesome 2.7

[Dan318-is]

gearbox too steve

[stevetigger]

gearbox too steve

True, to many hidden costs! Will just be easy to slap a 2.5 in my cab! I wish I had that mtec2 kit on it now though!

[Dan318-is]

any engine swap/rebuild involving an m20 has to be 2.7 route imo

[stevetigger]

any engine swap/rebuild involving an m20 has to be 2.7 route imo

Quite right, I would make it a 2.7 before dropping it in!