M50 bits - can anyone confirm...

[stup86]

Hi,

I recently bought a M50B25 from an e34 525i with the box ecu blah blah blah.

I've been told that I need an e36 320i propshaft if I want to use the e34 box.

Is this true?

Thanks

Stu

[DanThe]

No, 325, 323 or 328 prop, they are all the same

[bimanut]

I think town325i has got one for sale

[stup86]

No, 325, 323 or 328 prop, they are all the same

Ok, but what about mating upto the E30 diff? Sorry if this is a retarded question.

I'm sure I read somewhere about need the front of one prop and the rear of another?!?!?!?

[DanThe]

No, you fit the whole prop, but with an E30 centre bearing, nothing else to it

[stup86]

No, you fit the whole prop, but with an E30 centre bearing, nothing else to it

Brilliant, thanks bud

[stup86]

Just a thought. The guy who I'm getting the engine from has offered the prop for no extra cost. Its an E34 525i prop. No use?

[DanThe]

No, scrap value only

[stup86]

OK

Cheers Dan

[Brianmoooore]

Ok, but what about mating upto the E30 diff?

You won't want to mate it to any ordinary E30 diff unless you want it screaming it's nuts off at motorway speeds and wish to abandon first gear.
E36 box has a 1:1 fifth gear; the same as fourth on an E30 box.

[Dave_M3]

No, 325, 323 or 328 prop, they are all the same

I thought the 328 prop was the one to use Dan that everybody kept banging on about along with the E30 M3 prop.

Ok, but what about mating upto the E30 diff?

You won't want to mate it to any ordinary E30 diff unless you want it screaming it's nuts off at motorway speeds and wish to abandon first gear.
E36 box has a 1:1 fifth gear; the same as fourth on an E30 box.

I have a 1:1 fifth with an E30 diff...






Although I do have a .83:1 6th

[stup86]

Ok, but what about mating upto the E30 diff?

You won't want to mate it to any ordinary E30 diff unless you want it screaming it's nuts off at motorway speeds and wish to abandon first gear.
E36 box has a 1:1 fifth gear; the same as fourth on an E30 box.

I understand I need a different ratio diff.

I've got it on my list of things to get. Still unsure of a good ratio though.

The main issue at the moment is the prop. So 323/325/328 prop with e30 centre bearing will work?

Thanks,

Stu

[booomer]

Im using a 328i shaft. Does the centre bearing need to be "backwards" or in its normal orientation?

Using the e34 box, what have people found to be the least hassle gear linkage setup?

Cheers

[DanThe]

The centre bearing fits the normal way, the only difference is it fits on the opposite half of the prop compared to an E30 prop.

E36 325i linkages fit the M50 box's

[booomer]

Ah ok, im having a B@5T@RD of a job getting the old centre bearing off the new prop! any suggestions how to do it?

[DanThe]

Remove circlip, belt away with a hammer and old screwdriver

There are new E30 centre bearings on ebay at a very good price, I bought one the other week as a spare

[booomer]

there are two different bearing housings on ebay, do you know which one is the correct one?

[Brianmoooore]

Bearing housing is different between pre and post facelift shells. The spacing between the mounting bolts was changed.

[booomer]

so if i've got a 1990 then which one is correct? 1990 is a facelift model right?

[Dave_M3]

Yep, 1990 is facelift so thats the one you'll need.

Need to order a bearing for an 87 onwards E30

pre-facelift is before 87

[booomer]

Cheers guys, fortunately the person who did the listing put the OE part numbers on the listing so that confirms it. Next problem is that i stupidly pulled my prop apart without marking it, who does prop balancing these days?

[Dave_M3]

Prop shaft should be marked already with two little spots on it and its easy to get it back right as the UJs have to be on the same plane.

I've interchanged props back and forth this way and there is no signs of vibration even at silly speeds

[booomer]

Good man, i love money saving tips!!!