M44 gearbox fit the M50/M52 block?

[E30SPORTMAD]

Can anyone just confirm this please?

[mr_dink]

Will fit but will be a direct drive 5th needing a low diff ratio.

[leeparkes]

Yes it fits, im running one on my M52 compact.

[E30SPORTMAD]

Ok thanks guys any info on the engine code again of the E39 523i engines and spec?

[leeparkes]

What year? its normally an M52 b25 with a restriced manifold, 170hp stock or around 190hp with an M50 manifold fitted.

[mr_dink]

M52 2.5's with the more restrictive 2.8 inlet. 170ish bhp can be bought up to 190 by swapping the inlet from an m50 2.5.

95-99 523's will be m52b25 - single vanos
99- will be m52b25tu - double vanos

Think all e39's will have ews, certainly 96 on will, you'll need matching ecu, key and ews gubbins, or ews delete from danthe.

[E30SPORTMAD]

think car was round 97/98 model had wile low mileage so its still agood enough upgrade for the is with the M50 manifold?

[leeparkes]

You could leave it without the manifold and it would put an IS in the weeds.

[E30SPORTMAD]

All sounds good then, will the sump need changing for an E36 sump as its going in an E36 car? or is the E39 same sump, am not up on these newer BM's LOL

[leeparkes]

sump, oil pick up and dipstick from an E34 525i or an E38 728i

[E30SPORTMAD]

sump, oil pick up and dipstick from an E34 525i or an E38 728i

Will a E36 325 sump ETC not fit this 523 block?

[mr_dink]

sump, oil pick up and dipstick from an E34 525i or an E38 728i

Will a E36 325 sump ETC not fit this 523 block?

No, e36s are rear bulge on the sump, you have to use e34 sumps with e36 engines as well.

[E30SPORTMAD]

This 523 is bein fitted to an E36 car not a E30,

[bss325i]

Yes the sump will fit if its being used in an E36.

[mr_dink]

Sorry, presumed it was for an e30.

[E30SPORTMAD]

Was thinking that myself thats why i just said E36 car, shudn't be asking any info about the bad E36's on here E30 all the way well many thanks guys for your help can now tell my mate to go ahead and get screwing as the engine will do his job grand

[Tay]

i believe the 5 series sump and 36 sump are slightly different as the 39 on fits around the sunframe as the 36 on sits behind the rack.

if your doing a straight swap then all you'll need is the bare block and use everything else from the original car all the electrics will bolt and plug on the same, providing your using the m52 single vanos engine and not the later m54 twin vanos lump!

i've done loads of engine work on these cars, so if you need any advice give me a shout.

one thing i will say is make sure you don't fit a nickaseal block as you'll be replacing it again before you get to sell it on!!!! the easy way to tell is there is a boss on the rear n/s just below where the starter sits shaped like a teardrop, if this is just a alloy part of the moulding thats nickaseal but if it has a steel cover over it where the late models have a crank sensor thats a steel linered one and thats your best engine to use!

[Brianmoooore]

I would describe the E36 and E34 M50 sumps as more than slightly different!!! Complete opposites would be a more accurate comparison.
Any nikasil block that has survived until now will be no problem at all. The problem was with UK petrol, not the nikasil process, which is a well proven surface treatment.
The problem with UK fuel has been dealt with, and surviving blocks should be fine.

[Tay]

i replaced a 160k nikasil lump the other week!!! they still seem to let go! i still find it funny that the V8's rarely give any trouble yet the early M52 engines gave so much in such a short period of about their 18 month life where bmw fitted them!

there is a massive difference between a 34 and a 36 but the 36 39 ones are similar!!!!

been a bit of miss understanding on this thread as the engines not going into a 30!!!

[Brianmoooore]

been a bit of miss understanding on this thread as the engines not going into a 30!!!

That's why it's no longer in the 'tech help' forum!