Engine swap into prefacelift 316 - wiring

[B5234FT]

Has anyone engine swapped an early 316 (carb fed 1985 car)?

It doesnt appear to have a C101 connector, so I'm wondering just how different the loom is, the engine must still get ignition love and send tach reading and so on to the cabin.

Cheers

[Brianmoooore]

Nothing to do with it being a carb. engine - all E30s up to '85 used a 19 pin rectangular version of the C101, plus a small 3 pin plug and socket carrying a couple of other signals, including the tacho. This latter plug and socket is found in the area behind the instrument cluster, and goes direct from the engine loom, near the ECU to the body loom, near the cluster. Even after the 20 pin round C101 was introduced, the auxilary 3 pin connector was carried on for a while.
I would expect the fuel pump wiring to be present on your car right up to the plug and socket under the RH end of the rear seat base.
A return fuel line will have to be fitted from the engine bay, and you may have a problem with the fuel tank. An electric pump should fit into your tank, but the steel cup inside the tank that it picks up fuel from may be missing. Without this fuel surge will occur at anything near an empty tank.

[B5234FT]

Hi Brian,

Thanks for that. I'm aware of the fuel tank issue and intend to swap in a complete tank/pump/sender along with the necessary return line and replacing all the rubber fuel hose.

Fuel pump wiring would be a boon if it's there.

Where is the larger rectangular connector located?

[Brianmoooore]

Where is the larger rectangular connector located?

I've never worked on an E30 that old, but AFAIK, it's approximately in the same place as the later version - just inboard of the fusebox.

[B5234FT]

Thanks Brian, I'll have a look this evening. If it's there I'll need to find a pinout for it.

Cheers

[Brianmoooore]

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/C101