I wanna swap...but I am inexperienced

[VinniE30]

Request:
A step by step guide covering all aspects of the swap with pictures simular to the FrankM M30 swap guide, http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=100614
I wouldn't even mind paying a little for it. Frank charged $7 for his guides, and lots of people bought it.

We have so much info on this forum regarding swaps but noone has compiled it all together. You have to read through a 20+ page thread to get info that could have been put into some sentence. The wiki page is nice, and summarizes some general info but it's very general and doesn't come anywhere close to being enough info to do the swap.

[coreyw]

I'm in the same boat as you OP. Basically Ive only done oil changes and suspension work. But after reading some articles and hearing other people say how easy it is, I've decided to just dive right into it. I'm gathering all the necessary swap parts right now and am just waiting for the right engine.

Luckily I have my dad to help, he's not a mechanic but he can figure darn near anything out. So I'm pretty confident we'll be able to do it relatively easy.

[Holland]

Honestly, experience is your best help. I may have not done an engine swap before, but I feel more than confident in being able to do one. Most everything I have done on my car I dove in not knowing what I was doing. You only begin to truly understand how something works when you dive in and take it apart yourself.

[TimKninja]

I took out my m20 with an automatic rebuilt it, and put it back in with a 5 speed. I tend to run into alot of oh shit moments , and only havering a chance to work on it 5 hours a week slowed me down alot . Took me three months :/. Granted my workspace was 30 Miles away in an unheated garage in The winter time. Was my first chance really diving into my car.

Four months later i ripped out The m20 , And started The m50 swap. Dumb
things have slowed me down. I forgot to shave down The flywheel/ oilpan and the engine wouldn't move. So the tranny had to come back out . Pay attention to what your doing and do everything the right way the first time. I also had the m50 starter installed instead of the m20 One, slowed me down even more. Do tour research so you only have to do it once And It Will go togther smooth. And in Your not comfortable with wiring , do yourself à
Favor And buy an adapter.

[MattM]

if your patience, and your up for a challenge, then why not, i find the best way to learn something is to jump in head first!

If you need a daily driver, and want to bang it up in a weekend.... forget it.

[brokenbimmer533]

When I started my swap the most extensive repair I had done on a car was a brake overhaul on my e30. I rebuilt my M50, stroked and bored to 3 liters, replaced every gasket and every wear part. All new drive line and standalone engine management. If you do your research and read as much as possible you can do it. There is enough info out there that if you have questions you can find answers.

[CrusherCurtis]

mikejungle
You sound just like me, I can barely change suspension parts without swearing, if you do it, then I'm doing it. Subscribed, keep us updated.

[kermugit]

Im a local with a swap s50. If you need a reference, I am more than willing to show you my ride and help you out when I am able. I will be back in a couple weeks. Well I hope :p

[Gooch]

It'd be cool if there was someone in my area that was willing to help, but how do you ask someone you don't know for a huge favor like that?

To answer that question...beer and pizza. Period.

Honestly, you're much further ahead than most people that attempt this swap. Swapping entire suspensions, hubs, and axles is pretty involved. You are obviously mechanically inclined, but as everyone else has said, gather your parts first.

I understand how anal and meticulous you are; I have my masters in biochem and I'm about to perform an s52 swap into my 318is. If you read through the threads and the DIYs it should be no problem. There are a few snags that you may have to deal with, but it depends on how you go about the swap. Are you going OBDI or OBDII?

What are you doing for A/C? Power steering? Radiator/cooling?

These are all relevant questions depending on what you decide. If you post up here, (regardless of the question) I guarantee you will have an answer in a few hours.