Swapping from an e34 m50 to an e36 m50. What's different?

[be11]

Hi guys.

So iv recently learned that the e34 m50 I put in my e30 has had it. So iv bought another one.

This time its out of an e36 from the same year.

Main thing I'm bothered about is that I don't have an ecu with this new engine. My old one fits the new loom, but will it work ok?

I'm also going to have to chop the plug off this engines loom and re wire it to my e30 plug. I presume the wiring will be the same?

This aside would it be better to swap looms over instead?

Anything else that will be different?

Thanks guys. I'm hoping to get this done by Sunday. Should be pretty straight forward as iv already done all the hard work.

[bimanut]

They are exactly the same engine bar the sump so ecu should be fine as long as they both are vanos or non vanos which ever is the case.I would try and use the E36 loom as the E34 one is a bit shorter and wont fit under the dash.

[be11]

Cheers mate I think i'l do that. Yea knew about the sump which i'l change over

[e30-EVN]

If you have a loom already in your car and has been functioning why don't you just loom the new engine up. Simple case of switching the sumps ect over, drop the new engine in and then loom it up

[be11]

Are the main crank bearing bolts stretch bolts? Iv got to remove 2 of them to remove the bracket that holds the e36 pickup so I can fit the e34 sump.

If there not what torque do I tighten them back up to?

Cheers

[Jimbob]

I think I managed to squeeze in there with a tiny spanner to get to those pickup bolts, or it might've been a 1/4 ratchet but either way you don't need to touch the crank bearing bolts

[DanThe]

They are not stretch bolts no, you can just bend the bracket over and it will clear, otherwise do them up to 20NM + 50° as found in the BMW torque specs which is linked at the top of the technical help forum

[be11]

Thanks i'l try bending it straight to see if it will clear.

It's the bracket that supports the pickup jimbob, it's held on by the main bearing bolts.

[Brianmoooore]

Remove your old engine, complete with wiring loom, remove the looms from both engines, fit the loom from the old engine to the new engine, fit new engine complete with loom into car.

[e30-EVN]

^my point exactly brian

[be11]

Yep iv chosen that route. Knowing iv got a loom that works.

Another quick question.

Iv unplugged all the knock sensors from the loom (3 of them) and they all use the same plug. Does it matter which I plug back into which as they all do the same thing?