E30 Zone

So i have an 86 325i with a bad starter and i'm unsure of the engine condition because it hasn't been running for very long. I happen to have a 91 535i that i recently wrecked unfortunately. but out of every loss comes something good and for me that means putting the 3.5l m30 into the e30 shell.

Here's my current progress.
I have ordered the e30.de mounts and they have shipped thanks to tino!
I just pulled the motor out of the 535i today along with the tranny.

Here is my question to those who have done this or have experience.

What all should i grab from the 535i before i let it go. It has the electronic throttle body which i have gotten mixed information on whether i can be made to work. Like i said i have full access to all parts on the e34 donor so if it can be done what do i need to get.

In terms of the basic swap which motor harness and wires do i need. some of the ones off of the fuse box are a real pain to get and i'd rather leave them be if i don't need them. Pictures of the required harnesses and wires would be most helpful but descriptions work too.

I have tonight and tomorrow to get the rest of the stuff i need out of the car so please email, post, im anything you think i need or will want to complete this swap


Thanks guys!
I know my post count is low right now to be asking all these questions with very little contribution to the forum, but i gaurantee i'll be documenting my swap and here to help anyone in the future.


Thanks
-Devin
dtrowbridge at polargraphics.com
aim: devinwwu

Get the engine loom / Ecu / rad / downpipes / prop.

I would convert to a manual throttle body, but the elec one can be made to work but I dont know how.

ed325i wrote:Get the engine loom / Ecu / rad / downpipes / prop.

I would convert to a manual throttle body, but the elec one can be made to work but I dont know how.

Like ED says, plus.....

coolant tank
rad and heater hoses
air filter box
gear linkage

I'm not sure if the pre-face lift E30 wiring might be differant ?

Good luck with the swap and don't forget to post some pictures

BTW where abouts are you from ?

I'm not sure if the pre-face lift E30 wiring might be differant ?

Mine is a pre face cab and wiring is the same as face lift.

coolant tank
gear linkage

Didnt put these down because most people use the e30 ones.

seattle washington

Wiring isn't too bad I think. If the U.S. spec cars are the same as the U.K. cars the engine will run just by plugging the E34 engine loom into the E30 body loom and take it from there, (all the answers are on this site if you search hard enough or ask the right questions!). You might have to lengthen the wires to the ignition coil, or move the coil (not too far away for the king lead to reach though). ECU plugs straight in!

Good luck, and welcome!

i thought it was going to plug in as well but with my car the plugs don't mate up. i bought a 325i harness from 87 with three rows of pins on the ecu side so that my e34 ecu will plug into that and then i just have to modify a few small things and i don't have a bunch of unecesary wiring running around my engine. the e34 had the electric throttle so i'm not sure if maybe that was why they wouldn't just plug in but i was assured by several different people that this new way would work and it would make sense to me that it would too.

i used the E34 (well in my case E32) loom. this plugged into the car loom near the brake servo. this loom then takes the M30 ecu.

are you trying to use a M20 loom?

i got it figured out. i had to buy a harness from the 87 325i so that it would have the 3 rows of pins on the ecu side and the engine plug side jsut screws in !!!
can't wait to get it in. i got the harness yesterday as well as the e30.de brackets, IE urethane mounts, new h20 pump, cap and rotor, bosch sparks, and more is on the way!!!!