Few m50 swap questions i couldn't find anwers to

[Schwarz325]

Ok so for the last 2 weeks i've been reading and taking notes on the m50 swap but i couldn't find certain things, so here we go:


1. If i use a getrag 260 with m20 clutch, flywheel and starter i would have to shave the oil pan to fit the flywheel. Now, em and my buddy used the uuc lightweight flywheel and e30 clutch in his eta with the m20 motor, i mean they fit great but the car wouldn't start due to some sensors missing off the flywheel or something.

So my question is, can i use the m50 flywheel with the m20 clutch?

2. How much do you have to shave the pan? and also if anybody has pics it'd be great.

3. Where do you place the 3 relays that come on the m50 wire harness? Just somewhere on the chassis or..

4. If i use an IX booster, which master cylinder do i need? I think e34 m5 one works, but is there any other cheaper solutions?

5. If i use an e36 steering rack do i'm assuming i can reuse e36 p/s hoses? If i leave the e30 rack do i just reuse e30 p/s hoses?

6. I still don't understand how the c101 connector works. I can't tell where people get the 2 pieces from and connect them together?..I've seen something on the e36 harness but haven't really looked at the e30 side. If anybody has pictures or detailed explanation on this, it would be awesome.


7. As far as a/c hoses, e30 hoses need to be mated with e36 hoses right?

8. Can i use e36 trans mounts with the modified trans brace for the 260?


Thanks, i'll update if i think of something else.

[Kingb]

2. I didn't have to shave my pan with a lightened M20 flywheel. If you do then its not much.
3. You can make a bracket for then. I just put them in the glove box with my DME
4. The ix MC works
5. you have to use the e36 high pressure hose for either iirc, havent hooked mine up yet
6. just get an adapter from Greg unless you understand schematics and how to swap pins
7. ??
8. You have to ether make custom mount or buy on from a member. I mocked mine up and made it myself.

Hope this helps. Others will chime in

[RoadHazard]

3. If you use the M40 plastic wiring cover, there are clips where you can place those relays. Or you can just clip them on the side of fusebox. They also clip on each other.

6. You cut the connector off the E36 engine loom and replace with one from E30, usually from a scrap engine loom. That means you need to join the wires where you cut to the new connector. There are diagrams floating around how to join those wires.

Another option is to make or buy an adapter that allows the two plugs to connect without cutting. You can ask around here.

7. There is a good thread on how to custom make AC hoses using E30 hoses with E36 ends.

8. I think that depends on your custom brace. But you may use E30 mounts if you want.

[motorsports_3]

Ok so for the last 2 weeks i've been reading and taking notes on the m50 swap but i couldn't find certain things, so here we go:


3. Where do you place the 3 relays that come on the m50 wire harness? Just somewhere on the chassis or..

You could just hang them in the rear behind the intake mani, get the s14 wire cover and it has a spot for the relays, clip them on the fuse box, or create a bracket to mount them.

4. If i use an IX booster, which master cylinder do i need? I think e34 m5 one works, but is there any other cheaper solutions?

You could use the stock Ix booster/MC but you have to install the iX booster with out the spacer by slotting the holes on the firewall, two holes should be fine. Then run a remote res. Most people use a 2002 res, this will run you back around $50.00.

5. If i use an e36 steering rack do i'm assuming i can reuse e36 p/s hoses? If i leave the e30 rack do i just reuse e30 p/s hoses?

When I installed my e36 rack I think I used the e36 hoses, I am not sure becuse I had all my hoses and used whatever worked. You may have to bend some of the metal pipes though.

6. I still don't understand how the c101 connector works. I can't tell where people get the 2 pieces from and connect them together?..I've seen something on the e36 harness but haven't really looked at the e30 side. If anybody has pictures or detailed explanation on this, it would be awesome.
You need the male and female for both the e30 and e36. Then the female for the e36 connects to the male for the e30, then connects to the e30 body by the fuse box.

7. As far as a/c hoses, e30 hoses need to be mated with e36 hoses right?

Yes, or you can make custom lines.
8. Can i use e36 trans mounts with the modified trans brace for the 260?

I am not sure, most people use the e30 mounts or e21 mounts as an upgrade.

Thanks, i'll update if i think of something else.

[Schwarz325]

That's alotta help, thank you very much.

So the c101 connector plugs into the e36 and then it plugs into the chassis on the e30?

I think i'll just buy one from the guy that sells them for 115 shipped.


Any other alternatives to brake boosters? I've seen people use 750, golf mk1 gti boosters..? I'm trying to stay on budget as much as possible but we all know how that ends up

[Kingb]

The ix with remote resivior is the best sollution

[MattM]

the c101 is the big round plug that is the main engine terminal in your E30.

the M/s5x engines have a simular looking plug that is known as the x20

you will need to connect the old E30 engines side of the C101, to the old body side of the x20(from the car you got the engine from), either by cutting and soldering, or by poping pins. Use the ETM's from both cars to figure out which wires to connect together.

this allows the M/s5x engines harness to plug into the x20 end of your new connector, and the C101 side can then plug into your cars C101.

[Schwarz325]

I think i got it now lol, thanks folks!

[Schwarz325]

Ok, another question.

I read that using m50/260 will offset the shifter by 15 degrees. How much of a difference is this over stock? I can't imagine 15 degrees would be that much when it comes to that, but i may be wrong

[JJe30]

It's quite a bit. When I did mine puttin it into 5th gear was hittin the side. Just bent the selector rod

[MattM]

the base is rotated 12 degrees, so the top of the shifter is quite far over.

[Schwarz325]

alright so i found that you can use driver's side e24 mount and any other 1" mount (i'm assuming 320i is a 1 inch mount?)

So, if i do that, do i have to weld the brace?

This shit is so confusing cuz once i find a steady piece of information i find something else, and it's starting to piss me off lol

[MattM]

yes you need to modify the mount, the angles are all crazy out of whack, and the holes wont line up with straight mounts, no matter how long they may be...

i modified mine to all work, and ended up dropping it all out and putting a ZF320 in.... WAY happier, and its all direct bolt in with stock mount and shifter.

[Schwarz325]

I'm honestly thinking of juts buying an e36 transmission, by the time i modify all the shit it'd be cheaper to just do that.

[Mossman]

Yeah you'll ruin mounts in a hurry even if you get a combo to bolt up. It will be quite twisted and those rubber mounts are not very hard to tear apart in that way.

You definitely need to mod the shifter, but you can heat up with a mapp gas torch and twist in a vice (both the aluminum shifter carrier and steel shift rod). No need to weld.

The mount would need some welding done. Dougsic is hard to track down I think, see if White325is is selling his. I might make a couple in the next few weeks when I do my next swap. I made the one for my s52 swap with 2"x1/8" steel and 320i mounts and it works great.