considering the dark side, but may have a dealbreaker

[scottinAZ]

Considering an M/S50 swap into my cabrio, however she who finances the project INSISTS that it remain an automatic. I can possibly do this with teh GM tranny out of a donor 5 series, but would prefer to keep the ancient 4hp22 that is in the car.

IIRC the M/S50 family uses the same bellhousing pattern as the M10/M30 engines, thereby making a proper bellhousing as easy as a donor auto from an older 5/7 series

Am I correct in this, or am I breathing too many gas fumes??

[Roysneon]

Bellhousing on 24v's are the same as m42/m20.

[Wishno87]

It's been done here. Do some searching here.

[scottinAZ]

did some searching, but mostly came up blank. Will do some more checking

Mostly need to know if an m30 bellhousing will properly bolt to a M50. If so, that should correct the 10 degree issue with the typical m20-m50 trans swap

[nando]

You need the m20 trans, m30 bolt pattern is totally different

[lolcantturn]

did some searching, but mostly came up blank. Will do some more checking

Mostly need to know if an m30 bellhousing will properly bolt to a M50. If so, that should correct the 10 degree issue with the typical m20-m50 trans swap

10 degree issue? It's not an issue. Weld up your own trans brace, itll take 20mins tops, or buy White325is' brace.

[scottinAZ]

10 degree issue? It's not an issue. Weld up your own trans brace, itll take 20mins tops, or buy White325is' brace.

with an automatic, it becomes one.....

Will do some more checking, may have hit the roadblock.. Damnit

[Wishno87]

If you have not found the thread by the guy who did it recently by the time I get home I will post It for you. Trying to do anything more than browsing on my Android spikes my blood pressure.

[scottinAZ]

IIRC he did it with an auto out of an E34 (and did a half assed bodge job of it). I was going to try and retain the 4hp22 that is in the car, and therefore not have driveshaft issues with the swap (one of his issues was having to cut an inch or so out of the shaft)

Wiring in the E34 trans doesnt scare me as much as having to get a driveshaft custom fabbed for the swap ($$$$$)


I suppose the main issue with tilting the engine over 10 degrees to correct the trans fit issues would be that there is increased interference with the brake booster. That and there would be issues with oil pan clearance?? Or is the M50 artifically tilted 10 degrees due to motor mount choice and clearance issues

(really asking if the M50 is sitting at its native angle that it would be in another chassis)

[jrdeamicis]

Custom fabbed driveshaft? Expensive? ^

I have my local shop Driveline Services in San Leandro take 1.5 ft out of my driveshaft and reweld. Balance and put a new CSB on for $200 flat. They wanted $350 for a custom top to bottom.

Just get an E36 Automatic. And get someone very good with electronics to help you out.

[highoutput]

I can tell you from personal experience that the M10 trans bellhousing does NOT bolt up to an M/S50. I found out the hard way.
Also if the brake booster is one of your major issues then your good, thats really an easy part. I slotted mine and slid it over, worked great.
Read up on the "tilting transmission" issue, because some people dont have that problem at all. I cut and welded my trans brace AND my shift linkage, only to find out that I really didnt need to. (after it was all together) Now I have to go back and re-do the linkage ect...... Your not going to work out all the bugs untill your actually in there doing it.

[MR 325]

Sounds like it would make a lot more sense to keep the stock engine.

[scottinAZ]

Sounds like it would make a lot more sense to keep the stock engine.

Unfortunately that is the way it is looking...

Car most likely needs a new motor in the near future, so 24v would seem the logical way to go, however, the requirement for an autotragic may torpedo my dreams....

FML

[EduardoGomez]

scottinqc there is a guy on azbmw.org who has done that

[Wanganstyle]

Why not transplant e36 everything w auto into the e30 and just swap the oil pan? E36 auto drive shaft will fit just like e36 manual driveshaft fits.

There are quite a few people who can wire this up like oem for you, If you were local I'd give you a list/breakdown of required steps

If you had asked a few months ago I had a complete zfhp518 and it's harness/Ecu and driveshaft, known perfect item from my own car. Easily wired.

Its easy to obd2 +24v swap and use the m3 auto driveshaft with e30 center bearing flipped 180 deg.

Why not!! I wired a s54 harness and s52 harness and Dta standalone harness in ménage a trois and that worked great.

S52 Ecu only had 24 wires, zf hp 518 5 speed auto only had ...16 wires? A couple afternoons in the wiring manual could give u the overall game plan...

S52 or any 24v+zfhp518+Oem e30 cabrio 4.10 final driveLSD is smoking all around in a e36m....... In e30 would be awesome.

obd 2 is nice bc nicer trans, nice newer parts, smarter
Brain, oem maps for 3200cc and m3 cams!! why not!!

No custom driveshaft required.