cat converter

[ha22]

hi guys
i've got 94' touring and i plan to drop in a m50 block in the next couple of weeks or so, collecting parts i need. my question is will i need to use a cat in the exhaust system because i was told that all cars after 93 onwards require a cat.
any suggestions will be helpful !!

[whipsey]

after 93 would need a cat mate

[ha22]

so would a cat affect the performance, like loss of some ponys?

[whipsey]

yeah after the mot get a decat pipe to swap in there

[ha22]

time to sell the tourer and get something bit older 'caus the m50 block is waiting to breathe again!!

[Brianmoooore]

M50 was designed for use with a cat, and I doubt you'd notice any improvement without it.
If both bodyshell and engine are post August '92, then the car needs to meet the post '92 emissions regs to pass an MOT.

[ha22]

thanks for the replies, the m50 is from a '91 model, if this would make a difference!!

[Brianmoooore]

thanks for the replies, the m50 is from a '91 model, if this would make a difference!!

Yes, it makes a big difference! You can have this set up ('91 engine in a '94 car) MOT tested to the pre '92 limits, so no cat is required.
You may need to get written evidence, from BMW UK, of the build date of the engine.

[Jhonno]

As Brian says.. Pre '92 engine = pre '92 emission regs

[ha22]

thanks for your help guys, i think i'll swap the tourer for earlier reg, just to be safe and avoid any aggro come mot time!!

[Brianmoooore]

There won't be any aggro at MOT time! The MOT testers should be fully conversant with the regs, and won't see it as a 'loophole'.
The very last E30 I had MOT'd was a '93 touring with an '88 engine, and it was tested to the earlier regs with no problems whatsoever.
P.S: Your '94 tourer wouldn't be an 'M' reg, would it?

[ha22]

Brian, it's an L reg, the last of the e30's , as far as i know.
so you think i should take the plunge and do the conversion then??
My plans are to do the m50 first, followed by the m30 conversion.

[Brianmoooore]

Most of the last tourings are on L plates - I have two of them, but a few are on an M. If I could get my hands on one of them, I could put a private plate on it that I have available, that's very close to the second part of my username!
There shouldn't be any problem with MOTs and no cat with this combination, but it's worth getting written confirmation of the engine's age, or even the V5 of the donor vehicle (which is what I used for mine), just in case.
I hope you don't intend to pull out a M50 to drop in a M30 boat anchor! Rebuild a M52 2.8 into your M50 block, and use the M50 inlet manifold with it.

[ha22]

no i don't intend to that, i like your suggestion of the m52 build but short of time at the moment, but one for the future deffo.
so if i take the engine number to bmw dealers they could confirm the age of the engine in writing as a record.

[ha22]

Brian, will a e36 325i gearbox flange fit onto the 525i gearbox as i have the engine and box from the big five !!

[Brianmoooore]

Brian, will a e36 325i gearbox flange fit onto the 525i gearbox as i have the engine and box from the big five !!

I would have thought these were the same anyway. The E36 320 box uses a smaller (E30) sized Guibo, but with 12mm bolts instead of 10mm.
Try asking zimmerbimmer1 about the engine age. If he can't help you directly, I expect he'll point you in the right direction.

[DanThe]

Brian, will a e36 325i gearbox flange fit onto the 525i gearbox as i have the engine and box from the big five !!

Getrag and ZF flanges are not interchangeable

[ha22]

thats what i thought 'cause i've seen both, not properly close up .
the output flange on the 525 box looks bigger and i broke one off the mounting pins!!

[Jhonno]

Brian, it's an L reg, the last of the e30's , as far as i know.
so you think i should take the plunge and do the conversion then??
My plans are to do the m50 first, followed by the m30 conversion.

thats all a bit pointless imo..

M50 is only just shy of the m30 in terms of power, but waaaay ahead in terms of technology

Keep the M50 and 'liven' it up

[ha22]

i am keeping the m50, just trying to sort out the gearbox and diff combo. i've got e30 318i box, e34 525 box which came with the engine and i can get a e36 323 box or 328 box.. only need rad and prop now..