Tubular Front Sub frame and Custom Pan for dual pump set up

[A.J.]

Yes, you could mound the sway bar 180 degrees around and it would bolt up the same way. My car is an M3 so I am using adjustable end links and they will work fine. Do they make adjustable end links for non-M cars? If so they should work as well. The sway bar placement is not too far from stock and that's why adjustable units would be best.

Lag, if I understand you correctly....on your car, you're keeping the sway bar near the original position [on the modded subframe] and not flipped 180 degrees? I plan on welding tabs on my strut carriers to utilize the M3 adjustable end links....

thanks!

[Fidhle007]

Subscribed for talk of stock S50US pan clearance.

[Lag]

No, my swaybar will be mounted in font of the steering rack. What I meant was the end of the swaybar ends up close to the same position this way as compared to the stock configuration.

The question on the standard S50 pans will need to be looked into I am not sure on this, if anyone has one that they would like me to test fit please let me know and I will do it. Otherwise I could take measurements off my e36 and compare that to the set up.

Sam

[Mr. Horsepower]

I have my swaybar in front of the steering rack and adjustable endlinks, on M3.
I have the TMS endlinks, but I probably need to make them longer to get the right angle.
My oilpan and subframe is modified.

[BeirBrennerE30]

ok weird question. If you keep the dual sump pan (s50b52 or s54) does the oil level sensor bolt in and function still? and if so does it still fit after the modification? I dont remember where my s54 pan went to check.

[Mr. Horsepower]

Mine did fit and, but since I have M3 I don't have the oil level light on the check panel.

[M3 Ryan]

Can you make the steering rack mounts smaller to accept the E36 rack without spacers? Seems to me that anyone doing the S54 swap wouldn't be running a stock E30 steering rack with the 4:1 ratio, or even the stock M3 3.5:1. I have an E36 3:1 rack in my car and would want one less custom part so I'd have the subframe sized for the E36 rack... Thoughts?

What other advantages does this provide over an E34 pan? Seems like $1k is a lot to spend on a setup that will be quite custom, when an E34 pan and pickup is $100 and bolts right up to the S5X engines... Don't get me wrong, I'm interested and in the market for one of these right now so I might buy one, just want all the details.

[TinyT]

I can do the subframe for any rack, but if the mounting is different (obviously) I would need you to send the rack with and I will make mounts for it. The price right now is 600 dollars un powdercoated, plus return shipping.

As far as the different pans go, etc. I will have to ask Sam (lag) to respond to that because Im just a fabricator and his is the first BMW I have ever been involved with.

[A.J.]

I can do the subframe for any rack, but if the mounting is different (obviously) I would need you to send the rack with and I will make mounts for it. The price right now is 600 dollars un powdercoated, plus return shipping.

As far as the different pans go, etc. I will have to ask Sam (lag) to respond to that because Im just a fabricator and his is the first BMW I have ever been involved with.

$600 for frame and oilpan...or just frame? Thanks....

[TinyT]

Its for the subframe modifications, and the pan modifications.

[Lag]

I decided to go with this set up first and foremost because I have heard of M50 pump failures at the track. Here is one example that was detailed on s14.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hyboost
We've had the opposite results on ours, with severe pickup issues using the e34 pan. After a few attempts and pumps, lasting just a few track minutes, we went dry sump and the problem was solved. Car was fine on the street and dyno with the e34 pan, but the second we threw it around the track, oil pickup immediately became an issue.

I realize I am an exception, but it definitely can happen...
Because of experiences like this I am not confident in the M50 pump for the S54 if it has failed on the euro motors, and I say this because of the higher redline which is spinning that pump much further past where it was designed IMO. I am not willing to take that risk. Some might but I want to drive with confidence and wondering if I am the exception.

I also chose the dual pick up system because it is a better system. Plain and simple the design is better, if a single front sump was best BMW would have used that on all their M cars.

I do like the additional clearance that the S54 pan provides as well. here is a picture of the M50 pan in an E30 with the AKG motor mounts:



You can see that the m50 pan hangs past the subframe by quite a bit. With this set up the subframe is the lowest point.

To sum stuff up:

M50 pumps= some have lasted, some have failed, you can take your chances
E34 pan= fits without modification, just don't lower your car too much.
dual pickup pan/pump= modifications to the subframe and pan and will provide proper oiling (designed by BMW for these motors), more clearance and you can leave your firewall intact.
This set up= More oil capacity

These are the reasons that made me choose to go this route.

[erik325i]

To sum stuff up:

M50 pumps= some have lasted, some have failed, you can take your chances
E34 pan= fits without modification, just don't lower your car too much.
dual pickup pan/pump= modifications to the subframe and pan and will provide proper oiling (designed by BMW for these motors), more clearance and you can leave your firewall intact.
This set up= More oil capacity

These are the reasons that made me choose to go this route.

You also didn't mention the benefit of having the swaybar mounted in front of the subframe instead of behind it. With the Euro headers, swaybar clearance is almost none.

[Lag]

You are correct. And there is a possibility that the euro headers will with with this subframe without modification. I have not tested this but I hope that someone will be able to.

Sam

[Lag]

You are correct. And there is a possibility that the euro headers will with with this subframe without modification. I have not tested this but I hope that someone will be able to.

Sam

[E30Strube]

What is the turn around time on modifying the pan and sub frame? After looking at how low my car is and where the E34 pan would be, I'm not liking it.