what i need to drop an m50 into my e30 - United Bimmer Community

**d.maczko** · 06-21-2006, 09:16 PM

okay boys im pretty close to getting this motor and i need to have a complete list of what i will need to do it in a weekend

so far i can get:
m50 motor
tranny
ecu
complete harness
starter
alternator
new water pump
new clutch kit

what else do i need boys?

matimus, are you still up for helping me out on this swap?

thanks guys

**celsdogg** · 06-21-2006, 10:35 PM

an engine hoist?

**Numark318i** · 06-21-2006, 10:39 PM

some beer?

**d.maczko** · 06-21-2006, 11:24 PM

lol aside from tools and refreshments

a flat of beer will be going to the man helping me, got that covered

i heard theres some issue with the oil pan though

**d.maczko** · 06-21-2006, 11:58 PM

hows this for research haha, if anything is wrong let me know

http://www.theeurodepot.com/e30m50.html

**///Mman721** · 06-22-2006, 01:01 AM

That's sounds like an awesome project man---make sure you keep us all updated with the progress

**d.maczko** · 06-22-2006, 06:57 PM

no one has any info to give me?

**d.maczko** · 06-23-2006, 06:43 PM

c'mon theres gotta be someone out there that has done the swap and has some info on parts or whatever

**celsdogg** · 06-23-2006, 07:02 PM

im reading that site that you posted, and its seems to be quite definitive in its information.

**d.maczko** · 06-23-2006, 09:22 PM

yeah but im not sure if thats all the info im going to need

id like to have a concrete list of parts that i need so i can start shopping

thanks guys

**d.maczko** · 06-23-2006, 09:47 PM

whoa, heavy news boys

just found out that i can pick up a full m50 swap, tranny and all accessories, lots of fresh parts too

for 1500 canadian

matimus i need to know if your still able to help me out on this, asap

i need to know if i should pick this motor up

its got around 200k on it, might need the head rebuilt. slight setback but whatever

also he will deliever the whole package to me for this price of 1500can.

**Chris** · 06-24-2006, 01:26 AM

didn't read through everything, but you didn't mention engine mounts.....

are you sure the engine will fit with the stck engine mounts?

**d.maczko** · 06-24-2006, 01:37 PM

no no, that list above is what im getting as a package deal with the motor and tranny.

i need the e36 5 series oil pan
motor mounts
and one other thing

**Red_Rocket** · 06-24-2006, 03:00 PM

ask over on e30tech, im sure they will know whats up, as many have done the same swap as you

www.e30tech.com

**d.maczko** · 06-24-2006, 07:43 PM

e30 tech seems more geared towards turbo m20s and r3v doesnt give enough reaction

**matimus** · 06-24-2006, 08:30 PM

fuck sorry bout the dbl post

**matimus** · 06-24-2006, 08:31 PM

heres the parts you will need. they sell packages with ALL the right parts. By far the best way to go.
http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/s...egory_Code=CKE
I suggest gettin kits 2,3,5, and mabey 6
i beleive they sell the parts individually if you'd like that.
make sure when you get the engine that the give you both of the engine to car connectors.(female and male) That makes about a two to three hour differense in the wiring and it enable you to use the m50 wire loom so you dont have to cut it up.

and yes i will still help you

**d.maczko** · 06-24-2006, 09:02 PM

hmmmmm but i can get all this stuff out of the 325, i know i have to get the 5 series oil pan and pick up, also i can get the e36 rad and hoses, and ill probably pick up an electric fan. also ill get the complete harness male and female, also the exhaust i can get

ive heard most of this stuff will bolt in.

also i know i need to get the 320i brake booster i think?

let me know

nick_318is · 06-25-2006, 08:10 AM

Yea as redrocket suggested check out e30tech there are a lot of people there who have done swaps and they would probably be able to tell you all you need to know.

**matimus** · 06-25-2006, 12:46 PM

OK listen, there are to many factors to deal with and it is very dependent on what swap you are doing.
First you dont need an e36 rad the e30 one willl work just fine you just need the e36 hoses, I use an aluminum e30 rad. The e30 rad give more clearance. I ditched the clutch fan and went with a dual stage S-blade electric fan setup as a pusher. My supercharged S50 never overheats.

Quote:

also the exhaust i can get

Thats all fine and dandy but it wont work. The stock exhuast manifold needs to be modified to clear the swaybar, then the rest has to be modified to fit aswell. It doesn't just bolt on.

Quote:

also i know i need to get the 320i brake booster i think?

Yes you do, but that also needs to be modified. you need to cut the shaft of of your stock one and precisely weld it on to the 320i booster. NOT easy!

And depending on what tranny you go with you will have to get a new driveshaft. If you use the original e30 tranny you can use the e30 driveshaft but you will have to get a custom tranny brace made for you. If you use the e36 tranny you can use the e30 tranny brace but you will need a new, shorter driveshaft.
Also If you use the e3o tranny you can use the e30 flywheel,clutch and starter but if you use the e36 tranny you need the e36 flywheel,clutch, and starter, or you can switch the ring gear from the e36 starter to your e30 starter and use that.

Also I beleive you car being an 86 you need the coolant reservoir tank from the 325's with all the hoses.

You will also need the e34 5series oilpan and dipstick tube, the proper throttle cable (e36 I think), Modified power steering hoses to connect the e36 pump to the e30 rack. Gaskets, Spacers, oil level sensor(e34), E34 M5 offset engine mounts.

While you have the engine out you should also replace:
-water pump -> upgrade to the metal empeller pump
-T-stat housing -> upgrade to metal one
-lower temp t-stat
-New clutch, pilot bearing, resurfaced(mabey lightened) flywheel
-new reverse light sensor
Also get:
-e36 O2 sensor

Make sure the send the alternator, power steering pump, MAF sensor, ecu, and wire harness from the same car. Most wreckers like to give you a miss matched heap of crap.
I have a e36 325 ecu and maf sensor cause this happened to me with my engine.

I raised shit for two week untill the finally tracked down all the right parts for my m3 engine. so i kept the wrong ones. HAHA.
as you can see there is more to it than just buying some parts and bolting it all together.
I strongly suggest getting the parts from zionsville. They know all about this kind of swap and have all the right parts for it. Most you can buy already modified. If you do it this way then yes, you can just bolt it all together and go.

I may have forgot something but if I remember I will post .