First E30, First motor swap. M50NV

[MaksV]

boy this all looks pretty familiar. May want to check out my build thread for some help if you need it.

[trackjunkie21]

Lookin good man!

[FreedS4]

Nice work. I'll be tackling this exact project once I get it back from the engine builder (3.0L stroker FTW!).

Chris

[N2MYE30]

boy this all looks pretty familiar. May want to check out my build thread for some help if you need it.

haha...my thoughts exactly.

Looking good! :up:

[Jafxod]

Your doing a great job. Keep it up.

[SkorcherX]

Working on the wiring... This is what I came up with. I know I'm missing stuff... Please if you know that I am missing a value for a pin please chime in.

[rightcoastbias]

Working on the wiring... This is what I came up with. I know I'm missing stuff... Please if you know that I am missing a value for a pin please chime in.

What is your year and model?

Pins outs change between year and model. For this reason, only refer to pinouts corresponding to your specific year and model.

Observably, the primary functions pins are usually the same while ancillary features such as tach or oil level change. I have my 1991 318i (M42) pinout and you have listed the same Alternator, Coolant Temp, Ignition, Fuel Pump, Starter thin and Start thick locations. But certainly check your specific Electical Technical Manual (ETM) or with someone with a working harness on a car exact model as yours to insure these are correct for you.

Oh and best of luck!

[SkorcherX]

Yeah I have been going off the wiring diagram that covers the 1987 E30 with the 2.7 motor.

Small update... I got the E36 steering rack swapped into the car. Really glad I did this while the motor was out of the car, cause getting the steering knuckle back on was difficult to say the least.

I plan on snapping a few pics tonight to update the post with.

[kingston]

SkorcherX,

Great to see your progress! Just (mostly) finished my M50 swap as well.

What did you use for spacers for the steering rack mounting and spacing out the parts of the steering knuckle? Be aware that you may need to very slightly Dremel off some of the metal by the swivel joint, as it may rub slightly.

Keep up the good work!

[SkorcherX]

Tried to get pics up sooner, but a buddy rolled by and needed me to help him with replacing an evap sensor in his car.




Here are pics of the E36 steering rack in the car. I didn't take any "in-process" pics.



Kingston, here are the spacers I used to bolt the rack to the cross-member. I bought the $30 kit off E30Tech.com




Used the E36 tie-rod ends as well.

[kingston]

You may have some interference between the parts on your upper steering knuckle. Might want to make sure there's a little extra room with a Dremel

[e30trooper]

nice! makes me miss my eta. It wasnt a ES but came with a 293 lsd , tan houndstooth int. power everything and prem sound. was also Zinno. GL bro!

[SkorcherX]

Made a bit of progress.

Got the steering knuckle dremelled out a bit. No more binding now.





I got the new E30 Temp sensor re-threaded to fit the head. Used this guy to do it.





These are the wires I am left with. Some will go to the C104, some will just get folded back and taped off I suppose.



I got the motor off the stand and I mocked up the flywheel. This was an "automatic" motor, so I don't have to pull the pilot bearing I get to just press the new one in!





Also a shot of the clearance having the flywheel shaved.



Just need to pull the old girl into the garage, tear out the old exhaust, deal with the brake booster situation (think I might tackle that after the motor is in) and then get the motor in.

Once the motor is in, I have to finish the wiring, take measurements for shift linkage and tranny brace. Get that stuff fabbed up, then do all the nickle and dime shit like fuel line, and vacuum lines. Hope she fires first try!

My buddy is coming over Friday and I am hoping we will make enough progress to get the motor in the car.

[xoneslosentrax]

nice build and write up man...looking forward to see the progress...ill be doing the same hopefully soon...im going to start collecting parts for a m52 turbo swap, hopefully running by next summer...

[White325is]

you know you was suppose to remove that middle sensor and put the single pin e30 sensor in that hole right? There should be a little pipe coming off the head where you put the e30 sensor and a hose should connect into the hose that runs from the front of the engine to the heater core.