M50 Swap Part Order

[Predzy743]

Ok so I did all the searching I could for my M50 swap I am doing soon, these are the parts that I apparently need. I am posting this so everyone who knows about the swap can confirm or correct me if needed.

E36 or 525i M50 Engine
E34 Oil Pan
White325is Trans Brace
E32 Brake Booster
Red Label 413 DME Computer
Harness Adapter for M50
E28 535i Motor Mounts
Ebay or OBD2 Headers
E34 Throttle Cable
M42 e30 318i ECU Mount
M42 Radiator e30
Electric e36 cooling fan
M50 Oil Pan Gasket
Upgraded or new Water Pump
Water Pump Gasket
Upgraded or new Thermostat.

Is that all correct?
Thanks everyone.
-Steve

[El Gato Liso]

well since youre getting the custom tranny brace, you will also need an m20 flywheel shaved at least 3mm on the engine side

m20 clutch, m20 flywheel

m20 starter
probably an e32 remote brake reservoir or 2002 brake reservoir
the spacer that goes between the e32 booster/325iX booster and firewall

you also need the oil pump from the m50e34

you can use the stock 325i thorttle cable

you can also use the stock 325i rad AND rad fan

and perhaps since the tranny will be out a new guibo would be nice

otherwise, list looks good!

[dreamchasin]

well since youre getting the custom tranny brace, you will also need an m20 flywheel shaved at least 3mm on the engine side

m20 clutch, m20 flywheel

m20 starter
probably an e32 remote brake reservoir or 2002 brake reservoir
the spacer that goes between the e32 booster/325iX booster and firewall

you also need the oil pump from the m50e34

you can use the stock 325i thorttle cable

you can also use the stock 325i rad AND rad fan

and perhaps since the tranny will be out a new guibo would be nice

otherwise, list looks good!

Stock fan was proven to hit the radiator on deceleration IIRC. You use the e34 with m50 throttle cable not the stock 325i cable.

[Adrian_Visser]

well since youre getting the custom tranny brace, you will also need an m20 flywheel shaved at least 3mm on the engine side

m20 clutch, m20 flywheel

m20 starter
probably an e32 remote brake reservoir or 2002 brake reservoir
the spacer that goes between the e32 booster/325iX booster and firewall

you also need the oil pump from the m50e34

you can use the stock 325i thorttle cable

you can also use the stock 325i rad AND rad fan

and perhaps since the tranny will be out a new guibo would be nice

otherwise, list looks good!

No you don't need the oil pump from an e34 you just need the oil pickup and pan

You can use the e30 throttle cable but the e34 fits without jury rigging.

Stock fan was proven to hit the radiator on deceleration IIRC. You use the e34 with m50 throttle cable not the stock 325i cable.

Depending on the mounts you use the stock clutch fan can work but it is a close fit.

[dreamchasin]

Depending on the mounts you use the stock clutch fan can work but it is a close fit.

Yes it can work, but it's incredibly close to your radiator. You're better off just getting a good SPAL fan. I use an A/C fan which works fine, but I have not driven it in the summer yet.

[Adrian_Visser]

FWIW my s52 ran fine in stop and go traffic this summer in 30*C/110*F+ with just the stock aux fan on low speed mounted directly to the rad.

I have an m20 radiator and a Stewart high volume water pump running BMW coolant and water 50/50.

[El Gato Liso]

Stock fan was proven to hit the radiator on deceleration IIRC. You use the e34 with m50 throttle cable not the stock 325i cable.

actually...i am using the stock m20 fan on my m50. :roll:

also and actually....i used the stock 325i throttle cable with zero tinkering. :roll: im using an e36 328iS throttle cable now, and works lovely.



and sorry, i meant the pickup part of the oil shebang.

[dreamchasin]

actually...i am using the stock m20 fan on my m50. :roll:

also and actually....i used the stock 325i throttle cable with zero tinkering. :roll: im using an e36 328iS throttle cable now, and works lovely.



and sorry, i meant the pickup part of the oil shebang.

No one ever said it was impossible to run. It's just real close and not worth the hassle.

[El Gato Liso]

i think changing the thermostat and putting an e-fan in a lot more hassle. there is 0 hassle with this m20 fan setup. i have been driving my m50, and autocrossed it since july...and there are no problems :/

[avery0829]

well since youre getting the custom tranny brace, you will also need an m20 flywheel shaved at least 3mm on the engine side

m20 clutch, m20 flywheel

m20 starter
probably an e32 remote brake reservoir or 2002 brake reservoir
the spacer that goes between the e32 booster/325iX booster and firewall

you also need the oil pump from the m50e34

you can use the stock 325i thorttle cable

you can also use the stock 325i rad AND rad fan

and perhaps since the tranny will be out a new guibo would be nice

otherwise, list looks good!

Honestly, people like you shouldn't post information if you are not for sure on it. Or at least state you are unsure...Oil pump...

[Chrisv006]

actually...i am using the stock m20 fan on my m50. :roll:

also and actually....i used the stock 325i throttle cable with zero tinkering. :roll: im using an e36 328iS throttle cable now, and works lovely.



and sorry, i meant the pickup part of the oil shebang.

How did you use the stock cable w/o tinkering? Im thinking im going to cut/shorten it?

[Uber E30]

i think changing the thermostat and putting an e-fan in a lot more hassle. there is 0 hassle with this m20 fan setup. i have been driving my m50, and autocrossed it since july...and there are no problems :/

Unless you have solid motor mounts i just dont see how this is possible. The fan only sits a few cm away from the rad and any hard braking causes it to shred your radiator.

Also how the hell is changing the tstat a hassle, it takes all of 5 minutes when the engine is out.

[plmichal]

get a custom selector rod or heat and bend your rod so you don't have to dig into the center console for 5th.

[El Gato Liso]

avery...i made a mistake. oops you're going to condemn the shit out of me for that? everything else in my list is good. made 1 mistake. where did you contribute to the ops request? thought so...

to the op, you need the oil PICKUP of the oil pump from an e34. better?

i honestly did nothing to my throttle cable, just hooked it up and away i went.

well unless you have done it yourself, i see where you're coming from on thinking its not possible. i can put a fan on just by twirling it counter clockwise. done. i can do that easy with the engine in or out the car. :)


and the selector rod. you dont need anything custom, nor do you need heat. put one end into the ring of a wrench and the other end into another wrench. twist and done. my shifter sits as if its stock position.

theres my setup. stock throttle cable untinkered, and stock m20 fan.

[ForcedFirebird]

I like your approach for the shift selector rod. I shortened the one in my friend's car, used the Getrag and made custom trans x-member.

Also used the stock TB cable.