E30 318i to M50B25

[shumon09]

Hi Guys
Im new to this, I have a e30 1.8 Cab and I am looking to do a M50 conversion to gain more power, I have done some research but I am really confused as so many people say diferent stuff. Can someone advise me
I just bought the lump off ebay which I am going to pick it up sometime this week.it came with
gearbox, selector, propshaft, exhaust, ECU, Pipercross air filter and radiator. The sale also includes a sump, oil pump and dipstick tube from a 5 series to enable fitment around an E30 cross member. wiring harness and plugs. He also kept all the nuts and bolts, hoses and gearbox cross member.

What else do I need not really clued up on this as I am new to this, im bit unsure of if i need to change my current diff if so anyone now which one to get...and brakes aswell as I would hav to put bigger brakes

Someone help me please

[Duke137]

First off welcome to the zone mate!

Secondly, the best thing you can do is read up in this section. The most helpful threads are "stickied" at the top of the secion in green. All the info you need is in here somewhere and been asked before.

There are many different options with M50/M52 swaps, there is no right or wrong so to speak. It all depends on the E30 base car, the donor car or parts bought and your budget and skills with a spanner.

The best thread to start with is this one:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=177634

You need to collect all your main parts before you start and make sure you have enough cash to keep buying parts from BMW/ECP and GSF. Whilst your doing an engine swap it is an ideal time to chuck in an E36 or E46 steering rack in, replace the water pump and sump gasket and get any engine bay corrosion treated and sorted and do it right first time.

Like I said, depends on how thorough you are and ultimately ££££££

Good luck and keep us posted (litterally) with pics

[shumon09]

Thank You mate just wanted to know the M52 parts would be more or less same for the M50 and what Diff should I use for mine... also just wanted to know I would need to change by whole front brake hubs including the arms where the shocks sit.. should i consider getting a E30 one or a E36 Hubs

[Duke137]

Your E30 hubs will be ok, I think being a cabby you will have the larger 51mm struts but you may want to consider overhauling the calipers and brakes to ensure everything works as it should. If you want to be flash and have circa £600 to spend on it, get a set of WMS 4 pots from Keri-WMS on here.

You will need to swap your shocks and springs to suit a 6 cylinder engine though (325i E30 will do) as your suspension will be set up for the lighter 4 cylinder engine.

[E30_Crazy]

you can keep your e30 stuff if you don't mind the 4 stud. A bigger brake setup can be fit right to the E30 strut.

The diff you will need depends on the the gearbox you use. Like Duke said, have a read through the stickys in the swaps section. There is one in there with most, if not all, combinations of reliable/common setups.

[Duke137]

Like Duke said, have a read through the stickys in the swaps section. There is one in there with most, if not all, combinations of reliable/common setups.

That's the one I linked in my first post

Basically you need to get your stall set out and READ! It has all been asked before in one form or another, just get some paper and make a few notes.

[shumon09]

Thanks for that mate, at work soo trying to read up on when ever i get a chance...
Also i bought my self a set of 51mm JOM coilover kit just before i made my mind up on the conversion and I am going to use the e36 gearbox which came with the lump.....

[Duke137]

[e30-EVN]

If you plan on using that gearbox you will need a low ratio dif to suit, e30 m3 dif which are going at the moment from £350 upwards. Ratio of 3.15-3.25.

Also the gearbox brace and gear linkage yoke will need modifying.

To make life easier on yourself an e30 4 pot box requires no modification of linkage yoke or box brace and dif ratio anywhere from 3.91-3.46 can be used

Btw you need to sort your avater mate, way to big

[shumon09]

Thanks mate...

[shumon09]

Bad news guys... was gona pick up the lump this afternoon, guy jus emailed me saying he sold it to his friend...now gotta llok for a nother lump M50 or M52,

[kevo]

If you're gonna do the swap i don't see why you don't stick with m52 rather than m50 as it's more power, the same on fuel, lighter and the same conversion etc to swap over.
just for you to ponder over. unlucky with the drop out of the engine btw but theres lots of cars out there, just keep looking. i got my whole car for £300 with lpg fitted.
cheers
Kev

[shumon09]

I was told the M50 are stronger and more reliable and aparantly i get the same power as the M52... iv been looking around on ebay and etc for a M52 theyr going roughly £450+ and thats just the engine... would it be better for me to buy the whole car or jus get a lump seperately...
Iv got 3 months left of my ban soo hopefuly i get it done by then

[Green]

I bought my whole 328i for £500, after taking the bits off I need I'm sure I can frag the rest to get some of my monies back. There was a few floating around for a similar price, just got to be quick!

[Cook318IS]

Also the gearbox brace and gear linkage yoke will need modifying.

E36's didn't come with m20 gearboxes, you don't need to modify the gearbox brace with an e36 box

M52's have the same bhp as m50's stock, but more torque. Fitting an m50b25 inlet will gain you more bhp.

My 328i donor car cost me £400 which i made back easily, and i still have plenty to sell on ( a year on after doing the conversion )

[e30-EVN]

E36's didn't come with m20 gearboxes

yeah that part im familiar with mate!

[Cook318IS]

E36's didn't come with m20 gearboxes

yeah that part im familiar with mate!

Then why say that the gearbox brace needs modifying

[e30-EVN]

was thinking of the 6 pot box syndrome mate, my bad lol

im only human