Laundry List for S52 Swap

[91E30-318is]

Laundry List for S52 Swap
I'm in the planning stages for my E30 S52 swap. My car is at the body shop at the moment so its a good time.

I want to make sure I've done as much planning as possible because I don't want a project of this size to become an unpleasant experience and I want to budget appropriately.

I generally understand the parts involved:
- S52 Engine
- ZF Tanny
- 3.73 LSD
- 5 series oil pan
- Drive shaft
- OBD I wiring
- ix brake booster
- Motor mounts
- Water pump (just cause its there)

Additional Upgrades:
- 1.6" drop
- Bilstien Sports
- 17" Alpina Kopi
- New clutch
- SS header
- "is" front lip
- M-Tech II steering wheel
- Eurospec smilely's

One big thing I am missing from the list is what exhaust to run.

Is this a "custom only" job for a muffler shop or is there a resonator/muffler combo that I can pre-order?

Is there anything else I'm missing from either list?

Below are "before" pics of my soon to be "sleeper".


Shhhh... no one will know till its too late....

[e30serg]

Laundry List for S52 Swap
I'm in the planning stages for my E30 S52 swap. My car is at the body shop at the moment so its a good time.

I want to make sure I've done as much planning as possible because I don't want a project of this size to become an unpleasant experience and I want to budget appropriately.

I generally understand the parts involved:
- S52 Engine
- ZF Tanny
- 3.73 LSD

Might be too low. Try a 3.23 LSD or 3.25 LSD. Commuter? (Try 2.93 LSD)

- 5 series oil pan
- Drive shaft
- OBD I wiring

Add all the OBDI sensors plus an M20 temp sensor for the dash gauge

- ix brake booster

Can also try Porsche 944 booster. Search.

- Motor mounts
- Water pump (just cause its there)

Might as well change as many gaskets and rubber parts (hoses, belts, etc)

Additional Upgrades:
- 1.6" drop
- Bilstien Sports
- 17" Alpina Kopi
- New clutch

Lightened flywheel? e34 M5 clutch?

- SS header

Might not like the sound

- "is" front lip
- M-Tech II steering wheel
- Eurospec smilely's

One big thing I am missing from the list is what exhaust to run.

s52 should work. The custom part is usually where the down pipe connects to the cat.

Is there anything else I'm missing from either list?

Off the top of my head...
Might need OBDI fuel rail
M50 Dipstick
M50 Dipstick tube
M50 Red label ECU
OBDI Vanos or Vanos extension wiring
Thermostat
Thermostat housing (Aluminum)

[SamE30e]

3.73 is probably too low for the ZF.

I'm on MaxBimmer and in Mississauga, so if you need any help let me know.

[sharksforthecup]

3.73 is probably too low for the ZF.

yeah seriously unless you have 6 speed zf TANNY:) or its just for going to the grocery store. depending on what purpose the car serves you may want to reconsider.

Its hard to make a list without knowing how complete the engine/tranny are.

this is what I see that hasn't been addressed:

e36 engine mount arms
chip (check out trm)
413 ecu (redlabel)
spal fan
e30 csb with the e36 328/m3 driveshaft
e36 guibo
hopefully your s52 has the extra hole for your e30 temp guage or you need to tap the head.
treehouse/akg adapter or homemade
front sump and e34 dipstick with the pan
as far as exhaust you can do whatever you want. You can use the entire e36 m3 exhaust which will bolt right up with minimal cutting/welding or go completely custom or any combination in between.

Thats all I can think of right now, good luck!

[BMWtech@mac]

Just took out my 3.73. 70 mph at ~4000 rpm = not good. Swapped it out with a 2.93, soooo much better to drive. The 3.73 will go back in once I do the 6-speed! Good luck with your swap though.

[Guy_Fawkes]

You'll need an OBDI MAF too.

[jahnaboi]

I run a 2.93lsd with a ZF tranny and at 80mph I'm at 3150 rpm.