M50 engine conversion enquiry

[daniele30]

Hie ppl out there,

I'm planning to convert an M50 engine into my 1988 facelifted E30 coupe with M10 engine.

Before starting the conversion, i would like to gather more info such as should i take E34 M50B25TU or E36 M50B25TU engine ??

How about the exhaust manifold ??? which model of exhaust manifold should i use ???

Anyone willing to share their M50B25TU conversion parts list ???

Hopefully i can get some answer over here. Thanks alot mate.

[DanThe]

Look here

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=65169

Also use the search, all the info you need is here

[Jimbob]

There isn't really a definitive list, there's quite a range of rubber engine mounts to use (I'm using standard e34 535i i think!) but people have used e28 M5, e21 stuff etc etc. Same with the brake servo - mkII golf, mk1 golf gti, a clio or even a Porsche 944 turbo.

The manifold is the main stumbling block tho mate, cut and weld being the answer!

[e30world]

goooooood luk custom ex manifold make ur self

[Brianmoooore]

E34 engine is generally considered the one to go for, because it will have the correct sump, oil pick up pipe and dipstick tube to clear an E30 crossmember, and ,statistically at least, will have had an easier life.
You still need the alloy engine mounting arms from an E36, and the front exhaust manifold from an E36 will fit, but the rear needs cutting and welding.

[daniele30]

does is really need to cut & weld the chassis ???

[daniele30]

how about the gearbox ???

can i use Ee36 or E34 gearbox ???

can it be auto ?? or have to be manual ????

how about the long shaft ?? from which model ???

[Brianmoooore]

E36 or E34 gearbox can be used, as can an E30 325 one (with certain problems). I suppose you could you could use an auto box if that's what rocks your boat, as long as it's not some fancy electronic thing with inputs from sensors all over the car.
Propshaft depends on the gearbox output flange. Mine uses a standard E30 325 prop.
No chassis/bodyshell cutting required, unless you decide to move the brake servo/master cylinder for clearance on the inlet manifold.

[KiNaKa]

is there any difference between m50 & m52 intake manifold in terms of length?

[jaistanley]

Not sure about length, the effective volume of the runners and the plenum is greater for the M50B25 than the M52B28 but it's feasible the B28's are longer. If you're asking if there is more clearance for the servo when using the B28 one compared to the B25 one, I beleive there is. Still worth going for the B25 plenum though IMO.

A servo, 25mm audi master cylinder and reservior cost me £15 at the weekend so getting clearance isn;t expensive, just time consuming.

Jai

[diamondblacke28]

whats the electrical side like to sort.
is it just a mater of plugging the engine loom in

[daniele30]

I found that by using E34 525i brake booster & master cylinder can be done as well. However, it need to be shift more to left.

[diamondblacke28]

on the e30.de site.

they have some instructions for a 325 m50 conversion.
it looks like they have kept the e30 booster/master
am i wrong
what does it look like to you.

[Brianmoooore]

There are considerable differences in the problems encountered and their solutions between a LHD car and a RHD one.
LHD cars aren't trying to fit the steering and exhaust through the same small hole, and LHD cars don't have the option of moving the brake servo sideways.

[diamondblacke28]

of course.
im forgetting there steering if on the wrong side.

good point

[Jimbob]

Here are my servos...the left one is the E30 one at a slight angle, the right one is a porsche 944 turbo one sitting up straight:


The only thing you need to do is cut and re-thread the rod that goes through the bulkhead.

[m-dtech]

few things to consider,

318is box with 325i prop works
renault clio servo works

m50b25TU is a vanos lump so take that into consideration with wiring as you will need EWS unit.

mike

[Brianmoooore]

m50b25TU is a vanos lump so take that into consideration with wiring as you will need EWS unit.

Vanos (about '93 on) makes no difference to the wiring at all. Just one extra plug on the engine loom and all totally self contained.
It's when EWS (about'96) was introduced that makes things complicated.

[diamondblacke28]

so the engine loom plug will plug in and the engine will run then.

[Brianmoooore]

so the engine loom plug will plug in and the engine will run then.

Not quite as simple as that!
The E36 and later (M50) E34s use a different (25 pin) C101 engine loom plug from the E30s 20 pin one.
All the correct wires are present, though, so it's just a matter of splicing on a C101 plug from an E30 loom in place of the 25 pin one.

[daniele30]

WOuld like to know, do i really need an ABS system in order to make the vanos system works ??

my car is without ABS, but i heard some craps that i need ABS system in order to let the Single vanos work.

anyone can clarify this ???


Thanks

[Brianmoooore]

anyone can clarify this ???

Yes, absolute total rubbish!
Sure you're not confusing ABS with EWS (The anti theft system fitted to post '96 cars)?

[jmc330i]

few things to consider,

318is box with 325i prop works

M50 clutch and flywheel?

And does the 318 box rotate when fitted to the M50 like the M20 box does?