E30 S52 Swap Build

[Blackthorn]

Hey Yall,

Im fixing to get wrist deep in an S52 swap. Iv got the full arsenal of r3v, e30wiki, zone, and forum info i need including Mr. Bentlys instruction. However reading and doing are two completely different things. So im starting this thread for the practical dumba$$ questions i know ill have to ask and I trust the members here to give me a semi constructive answer.

So far this is what i have:

- 89 325i coupe (manual) parts car (ETA till it meets crusher 7 days and counting)
- 91 325i coupe (auto) main car
- 99 m3 sedan parts car (non wrecked just a steal on Clist)


Im keeping records of costs, and any additional income generated by selling off excess parts i dont need from either car. So far iv invested all of 1800 for all three cars, and 200 for refresh parts (oil, WP, plugs etc.)

However ill leave all that shenanigans for the actual build thread.

For now the first dumb question i have is:

Since im located in TX i want my AC lol. So should i keep all my e30 ac components or should i just retrofit the e36 items. Iv got time to prepare everything so i figured id try to head off the problems i know ill run into.

Anyway thanks in advance guys n gals!

[HerbE30]

Hey Yall,

Im fixing to get wrist deep in an S52 swap. Iv got the full arsenal of r3v, e30wiki, zone, and forum info i need including Mr. Bentlys instruction. However reading and doing are two completely different things. So im starting this thread for the practical dumba$$ questions i know ill have to ask and I trust the members here to give me a semi constructive answer.

So far this is what i have:

- 89 325i coupe (manual) parts car (ETA till it meets crusher 7 days and counting)
- 91 325i coupe (auto) main car
- 99 m3 sedan parts car (non wrecked just a steal on Clist)


Im keeping records of costs, and any additional income generated by selling off excess parts i dont need from either car. So far iv invested all of 1800 for all three cars, and 200 for refresh parts (oil, WP, plugs etc.)

However ill leave all that shenanigans for the actual build thread.

For now the first dumb question i have is:

Since im located in TX i want my AC lol. So should i keep all my e30 ac components or should i just retrofit the e36 items. Iv got time to prepare everything so i figured id try to head off the problems i know ill run into.

Anyway thanks in advance guys n gals!

It as to my knowledge you will be forced to use the e36 system. Two reasons, one, I am not positive but I don't know if the compressor mount will fit. Two. R154.

[Blackthorn]

Gotcha, iv been reading that ill need to use the e30 items that are in the car but just fitted with the compressor from the s52. That sounds like all new seals and lines.

[NC325iC]

to shed more light on that, you will use the e36 compressor and mostly an e30 system that is converted to run on r134a. You will also need to have custom hoses made for the compressor hoses.

There is information on having AC on a swap car in here, just do a bit more searching.

[Blackthorn]

KK will do. Thanks NC325iC and Herb ill take a look.

[GG///M3]

to shed more light on that, you will use the e36 compressor and mostly an e30 system that is converted to run on r134a. You will also need to have custom hoses made for the compressor hoses.

There is information on having AC on a swap car in here, just do a bit more searching.

Link to that thread?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Blackthorn]

I think he was referring to this one.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=363777

Im going to try and ball on a budget and try to not screw it all up lol.

[sweet3]

I highly suggest upgrading to a parallel flow condenser. The original e30 condenser will not get the temperature cold enough, especially in texas

[Klug]

I retrofitted my m20 e30 to 134a, with great success. Still holding pressure and blowing cold after 2 years. Had to replace every part of the system minus the evaporator (including finding a Sanden 134a late model vert compressor)

On my s52 e30, I had everything I need to use the stock compressor and go through the whole system again. However, while I was doing the swap I stopped and decided I'll figure it out later. Basically, since there no room for a puller fan, everyone seems to use a pusher fan setup in front of the rad. However, with the condenser in the way- and not wanting to run a single fan for both AC and Rad cooling is the reason I stopped. I'll figure it out eventually when I'm ready but wanted to tell you to keep that in mind. I probably have to run two smaller 10' puller fans and move the pusher fan to the condenser.

[Blackthorn]

Yea iv heard the parallel condencer is the way to go. Now random question, is the original e36 m3 condenser parallel flow or would this need to be an item i need to source? Im doing research on it now but i figured id ask if you happened to know.

Also along that thinking, are their any items i can nab from my 98 m3 donor to make things easier on me? Or should i just stick a conversion and replace the system parts as i go along?