Swap nearly done, few ??'s

[StreuB1]

I started my swap last week and Im finishing it up this week. I have a few questions regarding mounting the harness in the engine bay.

First off. Car is a 90' 325i. Engine is an M50TU direct pull from an E34. Harness is from a 94' 325i and I am using the E30 318is/M3 wire loom cover instead of letting the E36 harness cover sit on top of the intake manifold.


Questions are:

How is everyone running the starter main power wire from the main positive junction on the pass side fire wall? The E36 harness has a power wire with a single tap that usually goes to the E36 junction then splits into two wires, one going to the starter and the other that powers the fuse box. Obviously on the E30 there is no need to power the fuse box, and the main power junction on the firewall already has a power cable that goes to the starter. On alot of peoples swap pics, I see the E36 power wire still being used.....but why? The E30's starter power wire is already there so why not use it? Thats what I did but I am wondering why before I button things up.

Secondly, has anyone used the 318is/M3 wire cover setup? Its a real pain in the ass to work with for one. Yes it looks nice but trying to make sense of it is pissing me off. If someone has pics of their's with the wiring done and the cover removed and relays mounted, that would be awesome. I'd like to at least SEE it done. I have it mounted to the blower motor cover already but Id like to see other peoples pics.

Third, if anyone has some general pics of the engine bay. Nice and neatly laid out bays would be nice to see.


Thanks in advance!! :D

[FredK]

How is everyone running the starter main power wire from the main positive junction on the pass side fire wall?

I just used the E30's starter power wire, because it already has the proper lug for the B+ cable at the firewall, and can accomodate the fuse box power cable lugs. I have no idea why people use the E36 power wire either. As you said, it splits into two cables inside the plastic wiring harness box.

Secondly, has anyone used the 318is/M3 wire cover setup? Its a real pain in the ass to work with for one. Yes it looks nice but trying to make sense of it is pissing me off. If someone has pics of their's with the wiring done and the cover removed and relays mounted, that would be awesome. I'd like to at least SEE it done. I have it mounted to the blower motor cover already but Id like to see other peoples pics.

Yeah, it's a pain in the ass. I haven't set the cover back on yet, but things will definitely be tight. It's a pain to get the rubber jackets to sit right in the center hole of the bottom wire raceway. I mounted the relays to the fusebox. I don't think there's enough room to fit them where they fit on an M42.

[StreuB1]

I just used the E30's starter power wire, because it already has the proper lug for the B+ cable at the firewall, and can accomodate the fuse box power cable lugs. I have no idea why people use the E36 power wire either. As you said, it splits into two cables inside the plastic wiring harness box.

Ok good. I was using common sense by doing it that way but at times I find myself questioning my judgement when I see 6 others doing it the way I feel doesnt make sense. lol

Yeah, it's a pain in the ass. I haven't set the cover back on yet, but things will definitely be tight. It's a pain to get the rubber jackets to sit right in the center hole of the bottom wire raceway. I mounted the relays to the fusebox. I don't think there's enough room to fit them where they fit on an M42.

Ok Im glad I wasn't also the only one having issues here. lol. I felt like a monkey fucking a football trying to make this work. It looks amazing once its done but getting to that point is a PITA.

Quick mockup lastnight proves exactly what you said about the relays. No way theyll fit due to the amount of wire bulk past the middle of the loom compared to the 4cyl engines.

I removed all the rubber bellows on the loom at the top side (not the ones that go below the manifold)....I question my sanity about this right now. The harness has become very unruley. I got a roll of good spiral wrap though to tidy it up. In doing that, it free'd up ALOT of wire length, mainly to the relay's. I actually think I can EASILY mount them in the stock E30 position. I literally have enough wire to do so and tuck it away nicely. lol.

Thoughts?

[asubimmer]

I just used the E30's starter power wire, because it already has the proper lug for the B+ cable at the firewall, and can accomodate the fuse box power cable lugs. I have no idea why people use the E36 power wire either. As you said, it splits into two cables inside the plastic wiring harness box.


Yeah, it's a pain in the ass. I haven't set the cover back on yet, but things will definitely be tight. It's a pain to get the rubber jackets to sit right in the center hole of the bottom wire raceway. I mounted the relays to the fusebox. I don't think there's enough room to fit them where they fit on an M42.

+1 to all of the above

[StreuB1]

Oh, for reference.....

Old engine.....new engine.....

[Miasma]

Very clean.

[loonibab325i]

lookin real good!