1990 325i Touring S50 Swap Thread

[nl328i]

Hi Guys,

It looks like the opportunity has finally presented itself. A well maintained 1995 m3 has recently been wrecked in my province (one of only a couple in the entire province), and it seems like if I am going to do an S50 swap, this is the time to do it.

That being said, I am not mechanically inclined so I will need to have a shop do the work.

I have started this thread to document the progress (it will likely be a long drawn out one) as well as to ask for help and advice as I carry along. I know there are many informative threads out there which I have started reading, however this thread will allow me to gather information and discuss issues specific to my situation.

The Donor:
1995 m3 - buying the full car (probably in the vacinity of $3K)


The Shop:
My prefered mechanic has told me to budget 80 hours of labour to account for any problems they encounter. This works out to $5K in labour alone. This seems high to me. He said that if I could bring in a step by step for them, it might make it easier. Does anyone know of a write up that would be best to print off and bring to him? Possibly this one: http://www.e30dohc.com/wiki/index.ph...HC_Swap_Basics


Considering I will have a full Donor car, what other parts do you suggest that I swap over?

Part List Status:

S50 longblock with accessories- OBTAINED

S50 wiring harness- OBTAINED

DME- not sure what the m3 has- (need to confirm)

Smaller diameter brake booster- NEED

e34 325i oil pan, dipstick tube, dipstick, oil pickup tube- NEED

E34 throtle cable- NEED

E36 engine mount arms- I am hoping I can use the ones from the 95 m3

E28 535i or M5 engine mounts- NEED


Questions:
Driveshaft- what should I use here? the e30 325i or the e36 m3?

Wiring Adapter- Is it worth buying a pre-wired adapter?

Exhaust- I have an e36 m3 Borla cat back collecting dust- will this bolt up correctly?


All input, suggestions, comments and answers are very much appreciated.

Finally, here is a pic of the car that will be getting the S50:

[nl328i]

Reserved.

[nl328i]

Reserved...

[BimmerTim]

You need E30 M3 or E36 328 driveshaft. If you plan of using the ZF trans from the M3. If you are going to use your Getrag trans, then you can keep your E30 driveshaft.

The exhaust will fit, but it will need some slight modification to sit properly. Any exhaust shop should be able to tale care of it pretty cheap.

The 95 M3 DME should be the exact one you need. It has no EWS, or shouldn't anyway.

The M3 mount arms will work.

I don't think the wiring harness adapter is worth it, but I have no issue cutting up a harness with confidence that I can put it back together properly.

[nl328i]

Unfortunately, the e30 touring is an automatic. Will that make an difference to what driveshaft is usable?

Tracking down an e36 328 driveshaft is going to be a real pain.

[phreshkid]

Use the driveshaft that the s50 comes with! Whether it's a 6 bolt rear end or a 4 bolt, doesn't matter. Both will work. If you plan on changing differential rations once in a while, get a 328 driveshaft. If you want to keep the proper LSD that the m3 came with stock assuming it's still in proper mechanical condition, swap the Internals from the m3 LSD into your medium case e30 325i driveshaft. It's a direct swap and I've seen it done twice locally both will success.

That should save you a bit of money if you do decide to go that route.


This is assuming the e36 m3 is a coupe and not a convertible.

EDIT: This is assuming the e36 m3 is a coupe and not a sedan.

This works flawlessly in s52 m3 coupes but since there shouldn't be any difference between driveshaft lengths of the zf310 and the zf320, you should be good to go.

[nl328i]

Use the driveshaft that the s50 comes with! Whether it's a 6 bolt rear end or a 4 bolt, doesn't matter. Both will work. If you plan on changing differential rations once in a while, get a 328 driveshaft. If you want to keep the proper LSD that the m3 came with stock assuming it's still in proper mechanical condition, swap the Internals from the m3 LSD into your medium case e30 325i driveshaft. It's a direct swap and I've seen it done twice locally both will success.

That should save you a bit of money if you do decide to go that route.


This is assuming the e36 m3 is a coupe and not a convertible.

This is great news. I will swap in the LSD internals and use the s50 driveshaft. The s50 is a coupe.

[phreshkid]

I don't know where newfoundland is but does this mean your engine is a euro motor?

My information is more geared towards s50b30US and s52b32US motored m3 coupes/convertibles.

[nl328i]

Unfortunately it is not a euro motor. Newfoundland is part of Canada; Big island off the Eastern coast.

[phreshkid]

This is good news for you then.

Now get to work and start collecting parts.

[cbouchez]

I'll be doing the same on my touring, not yet but in the future. I need inspiration!

[ACHTUNG]

I'm in the middle of sourcing all the parts for my S52 swap. I'll tell ya, the cost creep is no joke. I'm up to $4150 just in parts (including Motor and trans) and I still have more stuff to get. I'm converting to OBD1 though so that's a chunk that you won't have to deal with.

[dude8383]

Use the driveshaft that the s50 comes with! Whether it's a 6 bolt rear end or a 4 bolt, doesn't matter. Both will work.

Since when does the 6 bolt driveshaft work? Every thread that I have read in the past say that the 6 bolt does NOT work...Are you running a 6 bolt driveshaft?

[phreshkid]

Since when does the 6 bolt driveshaft work? Every thread that I have read in the past say that the 6 bolt does NOT work...Are you running a 6 bolt driveshaft?

6 bolt will indeed work if and when you swap the e36 m3 lsd internals into the e30 diff housing.

I can shoot a few pictures of it in the coming days if you want. It works, has been tested, and is proven.

I have never seen anything about it being done online so I decided to try it with a few local swap guys. Sure enough, it works.

[dude8383]

6 bolt will indeed work if and when you swap the e36 m3 lsd internals into the e30 diff housing.

I can shoot a few pictures of it in the coming days if you want. It works, has been tested, and is proven.

I have never seen anything about it being done online so I decided to try it with a few local swap guys. Sure enough, it works.

Very cool! A bit more work involved with that but allows you to use e36 stuff almost all the way back!