E30 Zone

Hi there - I currently have an E30 convertible with a M52 diesel engine in it.


I have connected all it's components and it's fully installed - only thing holding the project back from completion is the EWS - how can I work around the EWS system.

As far as I understand the EWS sends a signal to the ECU so how can I by-pass it to start the engine.


Please advise

Not sure you can - EWS on recent engines is very well integrated into the ECU. You may need a known EWS/ECU/key combo.

Or have the EWS shut down/removed in the ECU

Does anyone know of any one who can shut down or remove the EWS

M52 Diesel?

What's a derv motor doing in a cab, bloody sacrilege.

I bet that could be chipped to produce some very useful torque, handy in a cab shell.

And it'll be economical. This could be the future....

sihooker wrote:This could be the future....

Not likely, imagine sitting at a junction choking on your own diesel fumes, yuk...

You cannot bypass the EWS, removing it will cost you the best part of £200 which seems pointless to me as a built in immobiliser is surely a good thing to have?

I think you mean an M51 engine? I hope its the inter-cooled version

Well Topblag - We are only looking for constructive input not restrictive.

DanThe wrote: Not likely, imagine sitting at a junction choking on your own diesel fumes, yuk...

You've got a point there!

Yes to those that are asking it is the inter-cooled version - As a woman - like I said before I would love constructive help -- if you do not want to do this to a vehicle of your own you are most definitely obliged not to do what I have done!!!

Bryanslu wrote:Yes to those that are asking it is the inter-cooled version - As a woman - like I said before I would love constructive help -- if you do not want to do this to a vehicle of your own you are most definitely obliged not to do what I have done!!!

You'll get used to it soon, it's always like this on the zone. I once made the mistake of asking how i could improve my M40 lump...throwing it away was the most popular answer!

Was it a hard conversion to do? Did you have to change the tank, or just the pump...and then presumably add another pump or two?

Would just need a low pressure pump fitting in the tank really

Bryanslu wrote:Well Topblag - We are only looking for constructive input not restrictive.

You'll have to get used to it on here.

If BMW had wanted diesel engine's in their cabs, they'd have made it an option. Remember BMW design their cars with perfect weight distribution in mind and an engine as heavy as a derv in the front of an E30 cab doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

willnz wrote:

Topblag wrote:

Bryanslu wrote:Well Topblag - We are only looking for constructive input not restrictive.

You'll have to get used to it on here.

If BMW had wanted diesel engine's in their cabs, they'd have made it an option. Remember BMW design their cars with perfect weight distribution in mind and an engine as heavy as a derv in the front of an E30 cab doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

and here I am cramming an M60 into an e30.... naughty!!!!

Chuck a sheep in the boot, that'll help balance things out

Topblag wrote:If BMW had wanted diesel engine's in their cabs, they'd have made it an option.

You could just as well say the same about M50B25s in E30s. There was plenty of overlap in the production dates.

There are two relatively easy possible ways to deal with the EWS. One is to buy what is commonly known a s a 'thief kit' - Matching ECU, EWS module and key chip - and fit it to your car. The other possibility, if the parts exist, is to use the ECU from an early M51, in the same way that an M50B25 with the silver label 413 ECU, which requires EWS, can be replaced by the earlier red label 413.
The 525tds used a variety of ECUs up to 1995, and a different one from 1996 on, so this could be worth investigating.
On a more general note, I find this an interesting project, and would like to see a full illustrated write up of it on here, which could well end up in its own sub forum in engine swaps!
I'm no great fan of diesel engines per se, but I am a fan of cheap motoring, and have the room and facilities here to grow and process oil bearing crops

Topblag wrote:You'll have to get used to it on here.

If BMW had wanted diesel engine's in their cabs, they'd have made it an option. Remember BMW design their cars with perfect weight distribution in mind and an engine as heavy as a derv in the front of an E30 cab doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

The M51 diesel is nigh on the same block as the M50, with an extra piece added to mount the injection pump on.
With a small 12v head and plastic inlet manifold I would imagine it weighs no more than an M50, which is a very similar in weight to an M20.

The ECU's are pump specific. . . this is the biggest draw back with the diesel engine parts, only parts with the exact part number can be interchanged.

How much has this conversion cost? How long do you think it will take to pay back? Did LPG not appeal???

willnz wrote:

Topblag wrote:

willnz wrote: and here I am cramming an M60 into an e30.... naughty!!!!

Chuck a sheep in the boot, that'll help balance things out

Dont think the love of my life would appreciate being jammed in the boot!

It's up to ewe....

I'm starting to wonder whether the OP is coming back...

I really wanted to learn more about his conversion.

sihooker wrote:I'm starting to wonder whether the OP is coming back...

I really wanted to learn more about his conversion.

If you are reading this, Bryanslu, I can assure you there will be NO spamming of your thread or comments such as some of the ones further up the thread!

Diesel E30 Each To There Own....Good Luck Mate.....

I don't like diesel engines either. they can do whatever they want, still sounds like a bag of nails.
BUT, take a 330d, chip it, sort out suspension a little bit and trash it round B-roads.
M-powered, turbo'ed M20's, V8 swaps eat your heart out! And to rub it really in add an autobox to the 330d!

For a daily driver you can't ignore them.

UweM3 wrote:I don't like diesel engines either. they can do whatever they want, still sounds like a bag of nails.
BUT, take a 330d, chip it, sort out suspension a little bit and trash it round B-roads.
M-powered, turbo'ed M20's, V8 swaps eat your heart out! And to rub it really in add an autobox to the 330d!

For a daily driver you can't ignore them.

Uwe, remapped a 335d the other day, made nearly 550ftlbs at 2000rpm Thats more than any petrol engined BMW I've seen so far

ShepsEvo3 wrote:

UweM3 wrote:I don't like diesel engines either. they can do whatever they want, still sounds like a bag of nails.
BUT, take a 330d, chip it, sort out suspension a little bit and trash it round B-roads.
M-powered, turbo'ed M20's, V8 swaps eat your heart out! And to rub it really in add an autobox to the 330d!

For a daily driver you can't ignore them.

Uwe, remapped a 335d the other day, made nearly 550ftlbs at 2000rpm Thats more than any petrol engined BMW I've seen so far

there you go! Before you have shifted down in your M3 he is longe gone with 550ftlbs....

Topblag wrote: ... Remember, BMW design their cars with perfect weight distribution in mind ...

Yeh, absolutely nothing to do with practicality or profit.

Hello mate I have almost completed a simular project. M51 TDS into touring. For those who mock this engine ' forgive them lord they no not what they say' my lump has done 300k and it starts first time everytime. What is the EWS? and what springs did you use up front

EWS = immobiliser

udo wrote: what springs did you use up front

Leaf?

DanThe wrote:

udo wrote: what springs did you use up front

Leaf?

thats good ! Bryanslu what car did you get the engine from? If its from a E34 then you may see a wiring diagram (see link below) but you should find that ECU pin 45 black/violet wire is the input signal from the EWS to the ECU. Disconnect this and the engine should start.This is not connected on my ride and it starts and runs no problem. while I have your attention did you use factory engine mounts? I had to fabricate some adjustable ones to find the sweetspot for the engine but they are a bit heavy and what diff ratio are you running? I have put the battery in the boot to help prevent the rears breaking away but I'm sure my diff is too short http://www.e34.de/tips_tricks/schaltplaene/1360_1/B.gif

The on board computer immobiliser is different to EWS

Surely the E36 engine arms would be the perfect choice?

DanThe wrote:The on board computer immobiliser is different to EWS

Surely the E36 engine arms would be the perfect choice?

You may be right, the wiring diagram and ecu pin list shows the immobilisation signal coming from the on-board computer. Is the on-board comp just being told what is happening while the EWS tells the ecu to not allow start? The E36 arms? I will explore that option but from what engine? What engine would you suggest?

M51 tds