Engine leveling

[MrNvgtr]

I'm a satist just due to the fact that I'm trying to build a 2002 with an S50/getrag 260. It sounds like you guys with the E30s just plug it right in to your frame rails using different engine mounts and call it a day. It probably doesn't matter what angle it hangs from the hoist as you drop it in because it'll hit that magical mount location and then settle itself right in. If you haven't noticed, I'm being dramatic here (slightly).

See, I have to suspend mine to an imaginary point, somehow make it temporarely static, and then crawl down there and lie on my back for about 10 hours to devise a way to fabricate totally custom mounts. Anyway, my initial problem is this heavy engine won't dangle from the cherry picker at the right angle. Its about 13 degrees down on the passenger side. I don't know how I'm going to roll it back (toward driver side). Is there a method for doing this? Maybe I could rig some type of extra chain to my cherry picker that attaches to the bottom passenger side of the engine to roll it back that 13 degrees. Pitch is fine. I can just use the engine leveler on the cherry picker. Any advice would be mutch appreciated.

Michael

[Jason89i]

it sounds like you have a really fun project. ive seen the m20-2002 and s14-2002 but not an s50-2002.

honestly ive never been under a 2002. to rotate the engine, you might try using a jack under the exhaust manifold flange. get it close, fasten the trans mounts (secure it in static position at rear) reposition and take measurements.

by the way....the m50 needs to be suspended nearly vertical, dropped in and then have the trans pushed up (from underneath) to horizontal while dropping it the rest of the way. so it really doesnt just drop into the mounts.

cheers, jason

[MrNvgtr]

Nice, quick reply. Hmmm, good idea. I just have a wimpy little jack that barely raises the cross member 2 inches, so I'll have to plunk down for a larger/taller jack, but I guess its worth it. LOL, if I bolt up the tranny and let the jack back down, my 2002 shell is going to want to twist with it. If that jack method works, I'd better set it there permanently until all mounts are done.

Michael

it sounds like you have a really fun project. ive seen the m20-2002 and s14-2002 but not an s50-2002.

honestly ive never been under a 2002. to rotate the engine, you might try using a jack under the exhaust manifold flange. get it close, fasten the trans mounts (secure it in static position at rear) reposition and take measurements.

by the way....the m50 needs to be suspended nearly vertical, dropped in and then have the trans pushed up (from underneath) to horizontal while dropping it the rest of the way. so it really doesnt just drop into the mounts.

cheers, jason

[Jason89i]

i agree. deffinately keep the jack under the exhaust flange until the motor mounts are done. if you need extra height on the jack, you can stack 6x6 wood cut offs. cheers, jason

[MrNvgtr]

Hmmm, this is definitely easier said than done. I'm within about 3 degrees of the prize, but I can tell the jack pad is barely gripping on the rusty header. The header slopes rearward, so it takes a lot of trial and error. I kind of like my chain idea, but hoisting it up with my own muscle and locking it somewhere to one of the chains for the engine leveler is my physical limitation. I bet, carefully concocted, I could use a second engine leveler for the roll angle. I'd need to make the chain from the cherry picker longer so it hooks up to the second leveler lower than the original one. Geesh, I hope it doesn't come to that. Any other ideas?

Michael

[BahnE30]

use a second cherry pciker place it along the side of car, bolt to one side of motor and roll away
voila, motor in place

[MrNvgtr]

4"x6" blocks of wood works in between the top of the engine and the pass side of the engine bay. Now on to fabricating the mounts.

Michael

[Jordan]

Rare but not unheard of conversion. You should see the 2002 we have at Terry's. I haven't gotten to work on it yet but it is amazing. full e36 suspension/chasis mated to a 2002 shell of bodywork. e46 M3 GTR style widebody and stout cage.

Did I mention a balls to the wall OBDI S52 in the engine bay?

For all intents and purposes it is a e36 M3, but with the weight of a completely (and i mean COMPLETELY) gutted and shelled out 2002 body.

[bkelsey86]

so..... when do I get a tour :D

[trent]

Rare but not unheard of conversion. You should see the 2002 we have at Terry's. I haven't gotten to work on it yet but it is amazing. full e36 suspension/chasis mated to a 2002 shell of bodywork. e46 M3 GTR style widebody and stout cage.

Did I mention a balls to the wall OBDI S52 in the engine bay?

For all intents and purposes it is a e36 M3, but with the weight of a completely (and i mean COMPLETELY) gutted and shelled out 2002 body.

Glad to see you are learning shops do a lot of cool shit that people on forums only dream about.

[MrNvgtr]

I'm aware of that car. Unfortunately, its the only other example out there with this conversion, and I've searched far and wide. Unfortunately because since its using an e36 subframe and floorpan, there's nothing I could ask you guys for help with since all the mounting points probably work for you. With mine, its all about creativity to find a mounting point and design something strong for a mount. I called someone at your shop way back when this was still an idea, but he wasn't too helpful. Probably just wanted to get back to his oil change or something. I don't blame him though. Remember me if you have any tips or advice. My email is mrnvgtr@adelphia.net.

Actually, I found one more close example on the TCDesignfab website. They've got a full touring car setup Bavaria with an e28 subframe and S52 engine.

Michael

Rare but not unheard of conversion. You should see the 2002 we have at Terry's. I haven't gotten to work on it yet but it is amazing. full e36 suspension/chasis mated to a 2002 shell of bodywork. e46 M3 GTR style widebody and stout cage.

Did I mention a balls to the wall OBDI S52 in the engine bay?

For all intents and purposes it is a e36 M3, but with the weight of a completely (and i mean COMPLETELY) gutted and shelled out 2002 body.

[george graves]

Myself and "M3 Ryan" on this board had the same situation when putting in my m30 into my e30.

What we ended up doing was using some shims between the flat part of the oil pan and the flat part of the subframe - and somewhat rested the motor on that. But in addition, we also used a jack stand under the ac mount to help suport that side of the motor, then using a car lift, we would very carefully raise and lower the car untill we go tthe tilt just right. You also have front to back and side to side to take care of, but that is easily done with a tape measure.

Also, get under the car from the back and make sure the drive shaft will be running more or less straight. - We uses a peice of PVC pipe to help eye ball that.

Good luck on that beast...(you do know a s14 almost drops right in compaired to what you are doing right?)

...

[MrNvgtr]

Thanks for the tip. Glad to know I'm not alone in spirit. I know about the S14, but even before doing any research on this idea, I couldn't imagin anything less than an S50. It may be rediculous, but I can't shake the idea. Its just gotta be done.

Michael

[george graves]

Oh the only exception you might want to think of is if you need room for a supercharger, or turbo, you might want to offset the motor a bit right or left. I have no clue how much added wear is caused on a driveshaft when it needs to bend more - so you'll have to figure that out...

(as if you need a turbo'ed s50 in a 02!!!!)

...