E39 for conversion is it worth it

[Corasdad]

I have the chance to buy an e39 2.8 auto full car is it a good donor, would I still need the different sump and oil pick up also what else would be needed please

I am hoping to use engine and gearbox, so I would have all the looms needed and bigger radiator, I know the mounts will be different so I would need them.
The gear selector I would have and use from the doner.

[flybynite]

Yes the E39 will need the E34 sump and pickup as it is a rear sump just like the E36/46 otherwise it is as good a donor as anything else. What year is it? is it a M52 or M52TU (single or double Vanos)

Not sure about the gearbox if it will fit the E30 tunnel as I have not had much to do with automatics.

Apart from the wiring, take the ignition and ews modules in case you want to use them in the future.

[Corasdad]

1998 w reg

[coopman]

I have an e39 2.8 auto (1996). My advice would be to buy the e39 and keep it as a daily driver.

[flybynite]

1998 w reg

Then it could be either M52 or M52TU you can tell by seeing if it has single or double vanos. Slight differences in what you need to do with them but basically the same..

For what you need, Have you watched the videos done by Spanner Rash on here? He walks you through quite well.

I have an e39 2.8 auto (1996). My advice would be to buy the e39 and keep it as a daily driver.

They are a good car no doubt but some here are just too far gone, like my E46. Salted roads in the winter take no prisoners and the cars around year 2000, once thy start to go they go quite quickly.

Lots of E39 M5, E46 M3 turned into money pits, M52 is a parts car at the moment unless in good condition then it is worth keeping on the road.

I still fancy an E39 but I need to get my E34 535i Sport back on the road first!

[Corasdad]

I have an e39 2.8 auto (1996). My advice would be to buy the e39 and keep it as a daily driver.

My e30 is my daily so don't need another but would like a more modern engine to keep up with traffic lol

[Corasdad]

1998 w reg

Spanner Rash on here? He walks you through quite well.

I have an e39 2.8 auto (1996). My advice would be to buy the e39 and keep it as a daily driver.

Thanks for the heads up will look into his vids

[Corasdad]

Deposit paid, one step forward

[Corasdad]

Been watching spanner rash great vids, he fitted a brake booster from an e90, I have found one on Ebay but they state its off an automatic would this still be OK it looks the same as in his vids

Also my e39 has turned up

[martauto]

more pics please

Mart.

[Corasdad]

She is rough but workable, sills are rusted out

[Corasdad]

Can I use the engine arms from the e39 or do I need e36

[DanThe]

E36

[Corasdad]

OK thanks dan

[coopman]

Almost identical to mine - just more rusty.

[Corasdad]

Lol in two minds if to fix it up or strip it for engine now lol

[Corasdad]

Anybody got E34 sump and pickup part number

[Corasdad]

I have seen some engine arms and rubber mounts that are 85mm so it lifts the engine 1" up has anybody used these to get extra clearance, is it worth keeping G the e39 radiator

[Corasdad]

Presuming I can get the engine and auto gearbox in will it mate upto the 1.8 auto diff, the the gearing be ok

[Corasdad]

1998 w reg

Then it could be either M52 or M52TU you can tell by seeing if it has single or double vanos

How can I tell as I can't find the engine code, do I need oil pick up from an e34 or e38, I have read I need e38 if it's a tu engine

[flybynite]

How can I tell as I can't find the engine code, do I need oil pick up from an e34 or e38, I have read I need e38 if it's a tu engine

Looking at the photo I see dual Vanos and AFAIK the non-tu ended around 1998 along with the E36.

So for me it is a M52TUB28.

I have only dealt with the M54 so not 100% sure about the pickup.

[Corasdad]

OK thanks, I have just found a modified front subframe that means I can keep the rear oil pan, I have just emailed for confirmation that it does this so it may save me buying front sump.

He has just emailed back and it does stop you needing front sump so I think I go down this route.

[flybynite]

OK thanks, I have just found a modified front subframe that means I can keep the rear oil pan, I have just emailed for confirmation that it does this so it may save me buying front sump.

He has just emailed back and it does stop you needing front sump so I think I go down this route.

Be careful what you use, there is a good subframe made for the S54 but that is quite expensive. There are a lot of bodge jobs out there that I would not touch with a barge pole. It is a significant part of the front subframe and not something to skimp on, especially with an uprated engine.

I saw one a while back made with butt-welded box section and bits welded onto the ARB. Fine round a drift track but I wouldn't trust them at road speeds.

[Corasdad]

Nearly £700 so not cheap

[flybynite]

Personally I'd do it the tried and tested way using OEM BMW parts.

[Corasdad]

I know what ya saying but I am concerned about the E34 sump sitting low in my lowered car, I have already broke my sump which was cheap to fix but e34 sump are getting on for £500 and hard to find

[flybynite]

Your money Your car etc etc but it is not something I would do. That welded anti-roll bar will be useless.

Lots of people run a front sump setup on lowered cars. My 323i and 325i were all lowered and front sump like all M20 cars and I never had a problem.

Personally I would raise the car a bit and fit a sump guard instead of messing the handling up but good luck with it which ever way you decide to go

[Corasdad]

Thanks for your input I do agree with tried and tested methods and will probably do front sump after all I run a sump guard already but with a car full it catches on everything which can be annoying so might lift it up, it's only lowered 30mm so should be ok but as I say it catches all the time

[DanThe]

I really cant believe people buy s**t like that, shouldnt pass an MOT..

[Corasdad]

One reason I looked at this is it's made by a racing team which I thought would test the subframe out putting it under loads of tension much more than my driving. But I will bow down to your knowledge as mine is less than limited