M50 ENGINE SWOP

[rips318is]

Hi peeps,

I can get a 525i 24v engine from a e34. Now, what i need to know is what other parts are needed to carry out this conversion in my e30 iS. I can get the engine, gearbox, ecu, loom, manifold etc ect. But what other parts are needed to do the full conversion.

Regards

Rips

[Ziggy]

That's an M50. Lots of info in the Engine Swaps / Forced Induction section, & sticky right at the top with everything you want to know....

[rips318is]

Ziggy thanks for that. M50, thanks for that info too.

Rips

[march109]

Thats not an m30 engine fella it will probably be an m50 as Ziggy says

Your gonna need to think about how to mount it usually E28 535/m5 rubber engine mounts and the gearbox (dpending on which box you choose to use). Fortunatly your donor ill have the correct sump to clear the crossmember and the right oil pickup. So no worries there.

What gearbox are you going to use there are several options from the one from the donor to even an e30 one? The E36 M50 Loom is the better option (longer than E34 so fits nearl in stock location instead of under the hood).

And as for exhaust well its easier to mod the e36 tubular type rather than the cast manifold type, other things to consider are brake servo (MK1 and Mk2 gold units fit well), rad and fan, airbox and possibly a taller dif.

[rips318is]

Thats not an m30 engine fella it will probably be an m50 as Ziggy says

Your gonna need to think about how to mount it usually E28 535/m5 rubber engine mounts and the gearbox (dpending on which box you choose to use). Fortunatly your donor ill have the correct sump to clear the crossmember and the right oil pickup. So no worries there.

What gearbox are you going to use there are several options from the one from the donor to even an e30 one? The E36 M50 Loom is the better option (longer than E34 so fits nearl in stock location instead of under the hood).

And as for exhaust well its easier to mod the e36 tubular type rather than the cast manifold type, other things to consider are brake servo (MK1 and Mk2 gold units fit well), rad and fan, airbox and possibly a taller dif.

tbh fella, i want the the best for the swop. which diff is good? which part would i need to mod on the exhaust/manifold?

rips

[march109]

The diff option is subjectable, it really is what your comfortable with, and to add to that it also depends upon the gearbox you choose to go with, And as you will allready have a lsd you don't want to be getting rid of it for no reason. If you do I'll take first refusal though!

The exhaust needs to be modded to clear the steering rack, obviously its easier to cut, weld and bend the tubular manifold, the cast manifold is a biatch to cut and weld and impossible to bend, tubular manifold is usually found in later e36's.

[rips318is]

Cheers fella, sorry but i dont have an lsd, but can get them. which gear box/dif would you recommend for this swop?

rips

[march109]

Depends what comes with the car, ! I think ! its possible to use the M40 gearbox (from the 318i) combined with the m20 Flywheel skimmed 6mm and the M40 prop which would connect to a e30 spec diff.

Though personally I would use the manual box out of a e36, probably need a custom prop then but they arn't expensive. I am not sure what box your donor comes with.

I'm no expert on diff ratios, it would work with whatever you have now, untill you can experiment and see what suits you.

[benjy]

The M42 box fits and allows you to keep your diff! Have a look at the M50developments thread, its all in there but you wanna be sitting comfortably before you start to read it!

[Ziggy]

Moved to engine swaps section.

[ste]

Though personally I would use the manual box out of a e36, probably need a custom prop then but they arn't expensive.

No, you'd be able to use a standard e30 M3 prop.

[march109]

Though personally I would use the manual box out of a e36, probably need a custom prop then but they arn't expensive.

No, you'd be able to use a standard e30 M3 prop.

Like the M30 swap? I know a few people looking for M3 props, they don't come up that often and when they do they go for a premium I think ziggy got a custom prop made for his M30 swap and it was alot more reasonable than a new or s/h m3 prop.

[benjy]

I used half e30 and half e36 prop (IIRC)with new centre bearing, works magic!

[E30BeemerLad]

as advised, plenty of info in the M50 Developments thread, also check out www.e3024V.com plenty of enterprising indioviduals on there with first hand experience of this swap to help you out.

I'm about to do it myself too, but I was lucky to obtain an M50 from a 525 which already had an E30 318is box attached to it with M20 flywheel and new clutch. I plan on using a 325 prop and 325 diff.

[1an]

you can use the m20 box, flywheel and clutch along with prop and diff, by slightly bending the gear linkage, means you also dont have to find a m3 diff really

[DanThe]

Best option IMO is an M3 diff and a Getrag box from an E36 325i as its lighter than the ZF box. With this box you can use an E30 prop

[1an]

Best option IMO is an M3 diff and a Getrag box from an E36 325i as its lighter than the ZF box. With this box you can use an E30 prop

are you talking about the early 525 overdrive box? as in the same as an e30 325 box but with the bell housing rotated slightly?

[DanThe]

no but that is also an option

[1an]

a very rare option to come by, cheapest option has to m20 box with modified gearlinkage imo, but there are lots of ways some easyer than others.

Ste what diff and gearbox are you running in your touring?

[Ant]

Ste is running the ZF box iirc Ian.

you driven the red weapon in anger yet ?


M20 nox on M50/52 is a great option, requires some welding to the gradle but the rest is nuts and bolts.

NOT having to swop out the final drive is a major plus too IMHO, with a 3.64 the gearing is spot on

[1an]

only just done over 1000miles 100yards to 4k so no, track day she will get driven, what does it rev to Ant?

[rips318is]

as advised, plenty of info in the M50 Developments thread, also check out www.e3024V.com plenty of enterprising indioviduals on there with first hand experience of this swap to help you out.

I'm about to do it myself too, but I was lucky to obtain an M50 from a 525 which already had an E30 318is box attached to it with M20 flywheel and new clutch. I plan on using a 325 prop and 325 diff.

So does this mean i can use my box from my iS and get a M20 flywhee?

rips

[rips318is]

as advised, plenty of info in the M50 Developments thread, also check out www.e3024V.com plenty of enterprising indioviduals on there with first hand experience of this swap to help you out.

I'm about to do it myself too, but I was lucky to obtain an M50 from a 525 which already had an E30 318is box attached to it with M20 flywheel and new clutch. I plan on using a 325 prop and 325 diff.

So does this mean i can use my box from my iS and get a M20 flywheel?

rips

[E30BeemerLad]

it would appear so dude

[rips318is]

Using my box from my iS and a m20 fly wheel, could i still use my propshaft from the iS too? If i can thats a result all i would need to do or get would be a moded manifold. Can i buy these or does anyone know of someone selling one?

Rips

[tim_s]

remember that m20 flywheel will not work with m42 starter dude.

[E30BeemerLad]

Using my box from my iS and a m20 fly wheel, could i still use my propshaft from the iS too? If i can thats a result all i would need to do or get would be a moded manifold. Can i buy these or does anyone know of someone selling one?

Rips

I think you will still need a 325 prop, well that's what I am doing as the 6 pot engine means everything sits further back, meaning you need the shorter prop but i could be talking absolute rubbish here mate.

As for fannymold, i have a modded 328 manifold, where the primary tubes have been shortened slightly where they bolt to the head to get around the column. You can see the welding bodge in this pic

[rips318is]

remember that m20 flywheel will not work with m42 starter dude.

Which starter will i need fella?

rips