1990 325i Touring S50 Swap Thread

[Boosted E30]

Nice this will be cool. If i build another e30 its going to be a touring.
You can use the throttle cable from the m3.
The brake booster you can just slot the mounting holes 1/2" to the drivers side and push the booster over.

[328ijunkie]

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

Jeez. I dont charge nearly enough. Ship your car down here.

[MaxBell]

Another thing you can do is to swap the steering rack into your touring. Good to see a 24V swap in Canada (and somewhere that isn't Toronto).

Infact, good to see another E30 in Canada!! I'm parting out a 325i 1987 right now, PM me if you need parts. (I'm also just finishing up an M50 swap, so I'm free for you to PM with questions)

[nl328i]

Thanks for all the support guys, I really appreciate it. I've been a member of many car forums, and this one is the most welcoming by far.

Thankfully I found someone else to do the swap besides the guy who quoted me 80 hours. Since that quote he actually told me to budget 10K just in case (this was not including any parts, which I was supplying). I told him that there was no way that was happening. Not even in the realm of reality.

Got a guy now who does hotrods etc. in his spare time. He said he will charge me $40/hr to do the swap. How many hours should I anticipate if I am getting him to do the engine swap, transmission swap (e30 auto to e36 manual) and put the differential internals in the e30 diff case? Keep in mind both cars have the engines and parts still in them.

I will be sending my wiring harness to 328junkie :D

[328ijunkie]

Thanks for all the support guys, I really appreciate it. I've been a member of many car forums, and this one is the most welcoming by far.

Thankfully I found someone else to do the swap besides the guy who quoted me 80 hours. Since that quote he actually told me to budget 10K just in case (this was not including any parts, which I was supplying). I told him that there was no way that was happening. Not even in the realm of reality.

Got a guy now who does hotrods etc. in his spare time. He said he will charge me $40/hr to do the swap. How many hours should I anticipate if I am getting him to do the engine swap, transmission swap (e30 auto to e36 manual) and put the differential internals in the e30 diff case? Keep in mind both cars have the engines and parts still in them.

I will be sending my wiring harness to 328junkie :D

:mrgreen:

As far as the hours thing goes, has he ever done one of these swaps before? I charge flat rate for swaps so i can take my time. Every single swap ive ever done has had its weird issues here and there that take more time than others.

[e30 fa life]

if you need anymore help let me know.............pm me

[nl328i]

Guys, I just wanted to clarify something one last time. Earlier in this thread someone said I can use my 95 m3 driveshaft if I swap the internals from the m3 diff into the e30 diff case. Is this true? I dont want to buy anything I don't have to, but I want to make sure when I give the cars to my mechanic, he has everything he needs. If I am able to use the e36 drive shaft or e30 drive shaft it would be great (keeping in mind I am using the transmission out of the 95 m3).

As for motor mounts, do i absolutely need e28 mounts? I spoke with someone who said if I have an e34 oil pan and accessories, and a ix or 320i brake booster, then I dont need to buy anything else...

[328ijunkie]

Guys, I just wanted to clarify something one last time. Earlier in this thread someone said I can use my 95 m3 driveshaft if I swap the internals from the m3 diff into the e30 diff case. Is this true? I dont want to buy anything I don't have to, but I want to make sure when I give the cars to my mechanic, he has everything he needs. If I am able to use the e36 drive shaft or e30 drive shaft it would be great (keeping in mind I am using the transmission out of the 95 m3).

As for motor mounts, do i absolutely need e28 mounts? I spoke with someone who said if I have an e34 oil pan and accessories, and a ix or 320i brake booster, then I dont need to buy anything else...

Are you using a ZF trans? If you are then you can use the M driveshaft either way (assuming its a 4 bolt). Yes you can swap the internals into an e30 case but its not easy. And yes you need motor mounts, doesnt matter the booster you use. (i wouldnt run a E21 booster btw).

[Den_k321]

Nice!! Can't wait to see!!! I'm in a middle of swapping S50 into my 325is :) ( have little thread going http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=232339 , )

Any questions feel free to ask

[nl328i]

How do I know if it is a ZF transmission?

If it isnt a 4 bolt, would swapping the internals, including the bolt up part, fix that problem?

[nl328i]

UPDATE: Donor car is being towed to my mechanic tomorrow to begin the removal od engine! Once the wiring harness is out it is headed down to 328junkie!

It has begun!

[nl328i]

Quick question which I can't find- do I NEED to buy a CAI to replace the m3 air filter? Every engine bay pic has one...for now I'd prefer to stick with the stock airbox if possible.

[mammoth_e30]

The stock air box doesn't quite fit with the location of the alternator. You would need to chop a portion of the bottom out and then figure out a way to adapt the box to the 3" MAF

[nl328i]

So am I just as well to buy a used "warm" air intake?

[jrdeamicis]

relocate your ABS to the PASS battery tray and use an M42 rad and a HUGE fan.

Its really the only way that thing fits in there.

Stock E36 Airbox.