hi everyone. i have always had e36's e46's and now a diesal 1 series(the missus and fuel economy lol).
I am know looking to purchase an e30 as a project car. i have found a clean 316i auto and was wondering if it is a huge job to convert to a manual, and is it a massive job to drop a e36 328i lump in.
and also what year did the e30 have a facelift and does anyone know of any good bmw mechanics in norwich?
any help would be great thanx.
converting auto to a manual gearbox. is it possible?
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mrLEE30
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1 yes easy if you have a donor car, need box,prop,clutch assembly,spigot bearing,clutch hydroulics/pedal and a small weld to hold the clutch master cylinder on. then simply short out the start inhibitor. best also to swap the diff
2 dropping M50B2.8 been done loads of times, look in the engine swap section and there is loots on it.
3. tin top facelift from Sept 87 cabs around end 1990
4. no
2 dropping M50B2.8 been done loads of times, look in the engine swap section and there is loots on it.
3. tin top facelift from Sept 87 cabs around end 1990
4. no
Try the search function on here, there's literally tons of info on these conversions. But broadly speaking, both swaps are possible and have been completed successfully by various DIYers on the zone. It all depends on how confident you are with spanners and electronics. Try a search on 'M50 conversion' or 'M52 conversion' and have a scoot through what you find.
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daimlerman
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If your 316 shell is sound it will make a great base for a conversion. First job is to read through the M50 swap thread at the top of engine conversions.Take your time,and try to absorb the information and filter out the banter!M52 is just a stroked M50,with an alloy block,so all information there is relevent to your plans.There are two main problem areas that you must consider and make plans for.The engine wiring loom needs modding to suit the E30. Some M50 donors and all M52 donors have EWS,which needs to be considered. The second point is the exhaust.M50/M52 cylinder heads are wider than the 6 cylinder M20 that normaly lives in E30,and sit at a different angle.This,and the steering shaft,present problems with the exhaust manifold and downpipe layout.If you are a competent welder/fabricator,or have access to one,no problem,but you need a plan.If the above have not put you off,an auto/manual swap will be well within your reach!
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