M52B28 swap : propshaft / diff ?

[mopsdrops]

hello,

I have a E30 320i and I'm swapping a M52B28 engine , I want to use the M42 318iS gearbox with M20 flywheel and just keep my 'original' propshaft and differential (welded 4.1 from a 316i).

But I hear from a lot of people that this 2.8 engine will be to strong for my propshaft, diff and driveshafts.. Is this true ?

Can someone advise me please? It's my drift car, so not for daily use.

[age]

no it will be fine.
it will be very fast accelerating with a low top speed.
i had a welded 3.91 in my drift car with an m50 and was fun but was always going between gears, with a 4.1 it would go in 3rd gear all day with no problems.
although a 316 should have a 4.27 not a 4.1

[mopsdrops]

Oh thank you very much for the information ! Yeah I was scared the gearbox couldn't cope with the torque or something.. Nor did the rest of the parts from an E30 like propshaft, diff, driveshafts,..

So it's okay?

Cause this is what I had in mind :
M52B28 - M42 318iS gearbox - M20 flywheel and 318iS clutch and stock 320i e30 driveshaft etc;

[jmc330i]

You will need to put in an uprated clutch, the standard 318iS clutch will not hold the torque of the m52b28 when being driven hard.

Using an M20 flywheel means an M20 clutch. I don't think an M42 clutch will fit an M20 flywheel.

[mopsdrops]

Hmmm,

so can I use a M52B28 in combination with a M42 318iS gearbox, M20 flywheel and a E36 328i clutch ?

I'll guess this would work ? Right ? Does it fit ? or will a E36 clutch only fit in combination with a E36 single mass flywheel ? Cause this is what I've found on the E30Wiki :

"Gearbox
By far the simplest gearbox to fit to your M5x conversion is that fitted to the 318iS. This M42-specific gearbox will bolt straight up to the engine and remove the need for any Drivetrain modification such as different differentials. It is also capable of accepting the E36 clutch and flywheel (single mass only) if required, although it is recommended to fit the M20 flywheel."

"Clutch
The clutch has to match the gearbox you are using. No matter whether it's M5x, M20 or M42, the preferred brand of clutch is Sachs. Make sure that this includes the release bearing."

Thankyou

[jmc330i]

Nope, the wiki is wrong (I think it's been noticed before) as the clutch needs to match the flywheel.

[jmc330i]

You can use the M52, M42 gearbox and M20 flywheel and M20 clutch.

[jmc330i]

You can use the M52, M42 gearbox and M20 flywheel and M20 clutch.

The standard m20 clutch will not hold the torque of the b28 motor even under moderate 'racing'. It will quickly overheat and start slipping.

True. My point was simply from a fitment point of view.
Although, my mate regularly abuses his M52 touring (stripped drift car) and the standard M20 clutch is holding up fine.

[mopsdrops]

Well, after reading all of this, it seems a lot easier to go with a M52B28 gearbox and clutch ....

This is also the strongest combination, I guess.

If I use a E30 M3 propshaft, no further modifications will be needed this setup, right? and I can use a E36 diff and driveshafts, right? or does it need to be from a E30 ?

Or use a customized E36 propshaft.

Is there someone who can confirm this? I think I might do it this way, it seams the most easy, and strongest solution.

[Brianmoooore]

Well, after reading all of this, it seems a lot easier to go with a M52B28 gearbox and clutch ....

Matching gearbox is the best, but that gives you problems with diff. ratio.
M52 comes with a dual mass flywheel, which won't take kindly to abuse.

[mopsdrops]

The M52B28 engine I'm planning to buy has a lighter single mass flywheel , so I want to use this with a 328i clutch. That'll work , right? That, with the combination in my previous post?

[Brianmoooore]

What did this engine come from? I've never come across a M52 with a factory fitted single mass flywheel.

[mopsdrops]

I don't know. I guess aftermarket?

[Brianmoooore]

In that case, you'll have to find a clutch disc and cover plate that fits it. You can't use a clutch plate intended for a dual mass flywheel with a solid flywheel.
The 'aftermarket' flywheel is probably a modified M20 one, which takes you back to the start of the thread.
E30 325 clutch uses a stronger spring than the 320 version.

[mopsdrops]

Oh oke, thanks for the info.

And what about the propshaft diff, driveshafts etc ?

Can I all use them from the E36 ?

[mopsdrops]

? thankyou

[jmc330i]

Oh oke, thanks for the info.

And what about the propshaft diff, driveshafts etc ?

Can I all use them from the E36 ?

No, they won't fit.

[HairyScreech]

If you use the zf 328 box you can use the e36 328 propshaft slammed to the minimum of its splines.

I have a G250 (E36 325 or 323) box on mine at the moment with a 323 propshaft and z3 diff.
This is behind an m20 but m20 flywheel and clutch, 5mm added to the clutch fork (for the flywheel thickness change vs e36) and m20 starter motor.

Shift linkage needs a little fiddling/experimentation.

[mopsdrops]

Whoa, I don't really understand?

What do I have to do now with my drivetrain? I have a M52B28 with matching gearbox , an E30 M3 (is this a straight fit?) or a custom propshaft, and then a big housing E30 differential? or what should I do with the diff and driveshafts? Are the ones from an E30 strong enough?

[jmc330i]

If you've got an M52 with the matching ZF 5spd box then an E30 M3 prop will be direct fit (I think you can also use the E36 328i prop with an E30 centre bearing).

The above will bolt up to a small case E30 diff, but I doubt the diff will last too long.
The E30 driveshafts will be fine.

[mopsdrops]

Thanks, seems clear to me, jmc330i !

So M52 w/ matching gearbox and e30 m3 propshaft or e36 custom propshaft icm big case diff will be the final combination!

Oke, I know enough! Thanks everyone. Unless someone has some info to add? Driveshafts of the E30 are all the same I guess? No difference between driveshafts from a small case or a big case?

And if someone has info on customizing the prop ?

Thank Y'all

[HairyScreech]

Yes, as above, the e36 prop should fit with the e30 centre bearing and the splined section all the way to its shortest.

MAKE SURE TO MARK THE PROP BEFORE SPLITTING IT!

It is only balanced when fitted together one way.

[mopsdrops]

Ok thanks, does it have to be a E36 328i prop , or is there no difference between a 320i, 325i, 328i etc propshaft?

[jmc330i]

It must be a 328i prop. The lesser engined E36s use a different gearbox which means different length props.

[Grzesiek325i]

Also check 325tds e36 and 325e/324td e30

[mopsdrops]

What about those cars?

[jmc330i]

Couldn't tell you about the E36 325tds prop, but you'll struggle to find an E30 325e or 324td in the UK.
Just go for the 328i prop (or E30 M3 if you get lucky!).

[Nick323]

Sorry for butting into this old post, but I could not find info anywhere else.
I am installing a UK M52B28 motor, gearbox & driveshaft from a E36 into my 1984 E30.
Everything bolts up well, except that the mounting brackets of the E36 centre bearing flare out too much.
Can I just cut them and weld them to fit, or what alignment must I keep in mind ?
Or must i pull that off the old e30 driveshaft ?

[bimanut]

Use the e30 centre bearing,if i remember right you have to turn it round the opposite way for it to fit/line up.