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M50 swap procedure - essential checklist

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    M50 swap procedure - essential checklist

    So I still haven't seen a good checklist for what needs to be done in order to get an M50 e30 up and running, which I think is a little ridiculous. There are step-by-steps for everything except the most important part, which is this. For someone like me who has never touched an engine until this project, a checklist like this would have been amazing from the beginning. So, here's my attempt at creating one.

    But... I'll need some help from those who know what they're doing. I'd like this checklist to include everything, including the 'easy/basic' stuff - anything that someone could feasibly overlook. Every single step needed to get it running - starting from dropping the engine in the car

    I'll go through and make corrections to this list as the thread gets older. This is what I (personally) have done so far.



    [x] Battery connected

    [ ] DME red power wire connected to positive terminal

    [x] Positive terminal connected in engine bay

    [x] 318 DME grounding plate

    [x] Valve cover grounded at passenger rear corner, using e30 strap

    [x] Driver's side grounded between lower PS pump mount and block, using e30 strap, would it make a difference to put it on the motor mount like stock?

    [x] e30 --> e36 harness confirmed working

    [x] EWS wire (#66) cut (not necessary unless EWS is an issue)

    [x] Red Label 413 chip installed in Silver Label 413 DME (LET ME KNOW IF THIS PRESENTS A PROBLEM!) - I fried my Red Label the first time I connected the battery, that's the reason for me using the silver label

    [?] Connect relays to 12v

    [x] Engine cranks, starter works, compression good

    [x] The black wire near the OBD port is grounded

    [x] Fuel lines hooked up correctly

    [ ] Fuel

    [ ] Spark





    Those of you with anything to add to this checklist, please do. Don't make me beg!
    Last edited by hi its me alec; 08-17-2009, 08:56 AM.

    WTB: early e30 sedan front doors

    #2
    Doesn't an E30 need a bigger fuel pump to feed the M50?

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by iamcreepingdeath View Post
      Doesn't an E30 need a bigger fuel pump to feed the M50?
      no

      www.gutenparts.com
      One stop shopping for NEW, USED and EURO PARTS!

      Comment


        #4
        was you car origonaly an auto? if so you have to ground that out.


        88' m3
        91' 318is

        Comment


          #5
          i will need this soon ...thanks
          NASA
          BMWCCA member
          PCA member 25yrs




          1991 318IS slick top
          1997 M3 sedan
          2001 325CI DD

          “whoever turns the wheel the least, wins"

          Comment


            #6
            Connect Relays to +12v.
            1985 325e 2.8 Turbo VEMS

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by travis816 View Post
              was you car origonaly an auto? if so you have to ground that out.
              The motor was originally from an auto e36 325is, the e30 came with a getrag 260, so I'm using that.

              WTB: early e30 sedan front doors

              Comment


                #8
                not the motor, i was wonderin if the e30 was originally auto.


                88' m3
                91' 318is

                Comment


                  #9
                  oil in the engine! ...its on my wipe board in the garage
                  NASA
                  BMWCCA member
                  PCA member 25yrs




                  1991 318IS slick top
                  1997 M3 sedan
                  2001 325CI DD

                  “whoever turns the wheel the least, wins"

                  Comment


                    #10
                    1. rebuild motor

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by travis816 View Post
                      not the motor, i was wonderin if the e30 was originally auto.
                      Nope, always a 5sp as far as I can tell.

                      WTB: early e30 sedan front doors

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by lennon View Post
                        1. rebuild motor
                        sad truth :(

                        WTB: early e30 sedan front doors

                        Comment


                          #13
                          bad ecu? i had a simular problem. do you or a friends with another 413 you could try


                          88' m3
                          91' 318is

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by travis816 View Post
                            bad ecu? i had a simular problem. do you or a friends with another 413 you could try
                            It could be a bad ECU, but we'll see...

                            With the fuse box, what's the little thing with clear plastic casing and red/green wires coming out of it? Does it ground itself to the fuse box mounting bracket, with the fuse box on top of it?

                            It sucks because I'm not the one who took any of that shit apart, so I don't really know what to look for there.

                            WTB: early e30 sedan front doors

                            Comment


                              #15
                              try checkin all the fuses, and def try another ecu. ive got one if needed, sned me a pm


                              88' m3
                              91' 318is

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