best doner for m50 conversion

[slowsport]

hello all long time reader first time poster! i previously had a auto m20b25 turbo and have recently blown my box. i now want to change to the more reliable m50 with zf box conversion but i have afew questions. i have read the big ass 36 page long thread but no where does it say what i want to know which is: what is the best donor car to start with? the e34 525 or e36 325 as in which car will have more parts that i need? also i'm not very electronically gifted can i just use the whole of the cars engine to ecu loom rather than converting? last thing i'm edging to use the e34 if i do, do i have to use the engine mounts arms from the e36 or will the e34 suffice? sorry if these to you are stupid questions but these are the only queries i have left in my head from the research. thanks for any help, ed.

[E30BeemerLad]

Whatever donor car you get there will be some parts from another model you need.

You need the M50 engine (of course), you need the sump from the E34 but you need the mounting arms from an E36. Rubber engine mounts, you are best off with E28 M5 mounts (about £50 from BMW) You also need the dipstick & tube from an E34.

If you get hold of a non-vanos engine from either E36 or E34 I have a fully converted loom to offer you a plug & play option which will be for sale shortly for £80.

[jmc330i]

E34 525 as it has the correct sump already fitted to it. If you use an E36 engine, you will need to fit the E34 sump, oil pick up pipe and dipstick.

When you remove the M50 engine, you can leave the engine loom connected to the engine (the loom and ECU follow the engine) - you dont need to touch the engine loom other than where it connects to the body loom of the E30 - this will need a bit of rewiring, but its not difficult.

AFAIK you will need the alloy mounting arms from an E36 M50, I dont think the E34 ones are suitable.

Good luck

[daimlerman]

Engine from E34
Engine loom from E36(still needs mods,but puts the ECU under the dash)
Engine mounting arms from E36
Gearbox from E34/E36 is fine,but expect to have to mod the linkage;
Easier fit gearbox option is M40/42,with 320 gearstick mount,M20 flywheel,M20 starter,M20 clutch.This option allows you to 'lose' the heavy dual mass M50 flywheel.
Exhaust manifolds from M52 with mods as per loooong thread,or expensive fritsbits.
Enjoy!

[slowsport]

cheers gents that covers that. i guess in summary there is no better donor car. well i guess the frankenstein conversion will commence... lol

[E30BeemerLad]

where abouts are you located?

[SCOTT325SE]

If you get hold of a non-vanos engine from either E36 or E34 I have a fully converted loom to offer you a plug & play option which will be for sale shortly for £80.

in what manner is your loom modded lee?