M30 into 318i touring project started

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SPADGE
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Post Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:03 pm

Well i finally made the decision as to which of my 3 tourings to convert to M30 and have today started the conversion.
The donor car is a complete E34 manual with a healthy engine and box.
The car that is getting transformed is an L plate silver 318i Lux model so hopefully being a late car no rust issues!
Today myself and Colin from here started to remove the 1.8 lump and tomorrow i will remove both it and the gearbox.
The only problem i have had so far is working out how the engine loom is detached from the main car loom? I have removed all the plugs from the 1.8 lump and will leave the loom in the bay when i remove the engine but don't really know what to do with the wiring from there on?? I am assuming the loom that is there already is no good for this conversion? and so would like somebody to tell me what i need to do to fit the M30/E34 engine loom if that is what is required? It doesn't seem to be a 'stand alone' engine loom like the Cosworth ones i am used to but seems to get entwined into other non management wiring under the bay :? Any help at this point appreciated as it will save me time using my usual trial and error technique lol!
More updates and hopefully some pics to follow in the next few days :wink:
ed325i
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Post Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:11 pm

The loom unplugs from the round plug on the bulk head and you have to remove the ecu and there will be a couple relays near the ecu to and then you can leave the loom on the engine.

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gareth
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Post Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:21 pm

i agree with ed.

the loom is pretty self contained. if you disconnect the ECU and pull the wiring though, then disconnect the earths near the battery, then disconnect the fat multiplug near the diagnostics socket it should be fairly self evident.

the M30 loom is best left on the lump and then it's really just a case of pulling it around til everything fits! some wires (around relays and the coil) will need extending and some fiddling with pin connections to get the unloader relays and econometer working correctly. do a search. me and bigdek (i think that's his username) have had a few threads running on this a few months ago.

i don't know about any other mods needed as you're starting with a 4 pot as most hav staret with a M20. tuby_unna started with a 316i though so check his posts out for clues.

a few 335i's should be at the ultimate bmw show at santa pod on the 23rd september and i'm sure most of use will be happy to show you around anything that's been done first hand. :D

good luck!
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SPADGE
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7373
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks

Post Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:30 pm

Some very usefull info there cheers fella's!
That pic of the loom has helped a lot as well as i was convinced it wasn't a stand alone loom :D
Will whip the lump and box out tomorrow and then tackle the wiring once there is more room.
Cheers guys.