M52b28 e30 swap - Wiring e38 Engine harness to e30?

Mon Jul 06, 2015 9:45 pm

Hello,

i recently blew the engine in my 316i touring, so i decided to upgrade to a m52b28. i found a engine for sale which already had the front sump fitted so i bought and collected it a few days ago.

it was removed from a 728i Auto, which seems to have caused me some problem that i didn't foresee. i have been reading about this swap for about 2 months and thought i had it sorted but today i found the motor mounts are incorrect so i have had to buy e36 mounts. my main problem is that i cant find a x20 plug on the loom! it hasn't been cut only the plug for the auto box.

i will add some photos when my brother sends them over to me

thanks in advanced for any help

Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:47 pm

<a href="http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/20027 ... 8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... 52b288.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo m52b288.jpg"/></a>[/img]

Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:48 pm

How do i upload pictures?

Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:09 am

You need to use the URL code not the html

Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:49 am

Thanks ill some more pictures put up!

Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:50 am

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Tue Jul 07, 2015 12:37 pm

E38 doesn't have an X20

Tue Jul 07, 2015 3:12 pm

ok thanks for the reply, what should i be looking for, im struggling to find any information on it.

the e38 728i wiring diagram isn't on 'wedophones' is there a manual i can buy like haynes but with good wiring diagrams?

Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:23 pm

I've done a swap from e38, I got a donor loom from an e36 and had it modded by Dan above.

Wed Jul 08, 2015 11:02 am

I would rather try to get the e38 harness to work if its possible?

Wed Jul 08, 2015 11:57 am

These are the 4 plugs i cant figure out which to connect to the c101 plug?

Wed Jul 08, 2015 8:35 pm

bump-anyone?

Wed Jul 08, 2015 10:46 pm

Well said Willinz. Yeah I believe an e36 loom is a much easier base to start from as its all in the Wiki.

Wed Jul 08, 2015 11:33 pm

well willnz if you hadn't jumped to conclusion and actually educated yourself of my situation...i have tried to use the WDS wiring but my MAC wont support the website and i don't have a windows laptop or computer.
before this i tried to get a friend to find out for me but he wont be back in the office for the next few days.

i was hoping to find someone that had some experience with the e38 harness or could point me in the direction of a alternate place to find a wiring diagram. i wasn't expecting anything.

i was hoping i wouldn't have to go and buy another harness considering this one is already connected to my engine!

typical of forums like this...why i left the last time.

Thu Jul 09, 2015 10:32 am

i still dont think you understand. if from the start you told me that NOBODY uses the e38 loom and gave some kind of reason! rather than telling me to get a e36 loom with also no real info...then this could have been avoided.

also if you read the thread you would have seen i was asking for a place i can get the wiring diagram not asking people to do it for me.

right i guess im going to have to get a e36 loom then, is the m52b20/b25/b28 engine loom all the same?

Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:27 pm

schofield wrote: is the m52b20/b25/b28 engine loom all the same?

No, some are some are not, there are also at least 3 different loom versions for M52 so check everything before you commit to a loom

Mon Aug 10, 2015 10:18 pm

Ok, it's taken a few weeks but things are going ok.

I bought the e36 loom fitted it and done some wiring for the plug etc...

I have now come across a problem that the m20 starter motor won't fit, I can get it roughly into place but it won't line up due to the bolt holes for other engine mount positions, I have seen that there is another starter that is smaller but only found one page that mentioned it but not into detail.

If not I can grind down the block, but this is not preferred.

Thanks for all of the help so far, wish I had just bought a 328 donor now