Hello R3vlimited
I am a noob to BMW's, have done swaps in japanese cars before but never a euro. I have always loved e30's though, and now I am finally buying one this weekend. I came into enough cash and luckily found a great deal on a 1986 325e owned by a friend that has had multiple e30's in his family. The car is a great deal and I am buying it. That being said, it does have a mechanical issue from what I understand and that is fine with because I intend to do a engine swap asap. I have already done quite a bit of research, and I know that almost any question I have has already been answered. So I am posting here today to start my build thread and ask a couple questions that I have about the swap itself before I start throwing money around. First here is my current list of parts that I have sourced and intend to purchase:
1) s52, found 4 different units, help me choose (e36 m3 for $1400 with 190k mi, '99 z3 m for $1800 with 160k, e36 m3 for $2000 with 149k miles, or e36 m3 for $2300 with "obd1 intake manifold conversion" and 138k) all have compression tests done before purchase and will include harness.
2) e34: oilpan, dipstick, dipstick tube, oil pickup tube, throttle cable
3) Porsche 944 brake booster
4) e36 engine mount arms (If I buy z3 motor, otherwise will be included)
5) e28 535i or m5 engine mounts
6) 3.73 lsd ($250 a good price?)
7) garagistic "E30 M50/52/S50/52 GT260 TRANSMISSION SWAP BRACE"
and "BMW E30 M50/S50 WIRING HARNESS ADAPTERS"
8) Headers (???)
9) Exhaust: Car has "New stock exhaust" according to my friend selling me the car
As of now, this is my list for what I will need to actually turn the key and hear the sweet sound of that inline 6.
Questions:
a) From my research, it seems that I will be able to use my stock transmission and driveshaft, since I have the 325e, will my stock diff work temporarily? Will the driveshaft or transmission need to be removed when I am doing the swap?
b) What will I need to do with my radiator? I can't find a clear answer (I am going for absolute bare minimum for my budget).
c) What ECU will I need?
d) What will need to be done for headers/exhaust?
e) any other parts I NEED to turn that key and hear boom?
f) What should I do for OBD I conversion? I am confused if I need to do it or not, or if I can/should do it myself.
g) I would consider m50 swap with some good reasoning. I can get a motor for 1/3 the price
I live in California :hitler: , so am also curious about emissions.
I will post pictures as soon as I buy the car, engine, parts, everything. I am very excited to see what the e30 platform has to offer! Thank you for any comments/answers/support of any kind in advance!
I am a noob to BMW's, have done swaps in japanese cars before but never a euro. I have always loved e30's though, and now I am finally buying one this weekend. I came into enough cash and luckily found a great deal on a 1986 325e owned by a friend that has had multiple e30's in his family. The car is a great deal and I am buying it. That being said, it does have a mechanical issue from what I understand and that is fine with because I intend to do a engine swap asap. I have already done quite a bit of research, and I know that almost any question I have has already been answered. So I am posting here today to start my build thread and ask a couple questions that I have about the swap itself before I start throwing money around. First here is my current list of parts that I have sourced and intend to purchase:
1) s52, found 4 different units, help me choose (e36 m3 for $1400 with 190k mi, '99 z3 m for $1800 with 160k, e36 m3 for $2000 with 149k miles, or e36 m3 for $2300 with "obd1 intake manifold conversion" and 138k) all have compression tests done before purchase and will include harness.
2) e34: oilpan, dipstick, dipstick tube, oil pickup tube, throttle cable
3) Porsche 944 brake booster
4) e36 engine mount arms (If I buy z3 motor, otherwise will be included)
5) e28 535i or m5 engine mounts
6) 3.73 lsd ($250 a good price?)
7) garagistic "E30 M50/52/S50/52 GT260 TRANSMISSION SWAP BRACE"
and "BMW E30 M50/S50 WIRING HARNESS ADAPTERS"
8) Headers (???)
9) Exhaust: Car has "New stock exhaust" according to my friend selling me the car
As of now, this is my list for what I will need to actually turn the key and hear the sweet sound of that inline 6.
Questions:
a) From my research, it seems that I will be able to use my stock transmission and driveshaft, since I have the 325e, will my stock diff work temporarily? Will the driveshaft or transmission need to be removed when I am doing the swap?
b) What will I need to do with my radiator? I can't find a clear answer (I am going for absolute bare minimum for my budget).
c) What ECU will I need?
d) What will need to be done for headers/exhaust?
e) any other parts I NEED to turn that key and hear boom?
f) What should I do for OBD I conversion? I am confused if I need to do it or not, or if I can/should do it myself.
g) I would consider m50 swap with some good reasoning. I can get a motor for 1/3 the price
I live in California :hitler: , so am also curious about emissions.
I will post pictures as soon as I buy the car, engine, parts, everything. I am very excited to see what the e30 platform has to offer! Thank you for any comments/answers/support of any kind in advance!
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