First E30, First motor swap. M50NV

[decl00ne]

isnt it possible to have the center machined again?

[Thrizzle]

Awesome build, I love reading these threads.

Keep us posted with some videos!

Here we go now Ducks!

[SkorcherX]

Moved under its own power!

Got the throttle cable installed today on the ol' BMW 325. Attached the battery, fired it up, and backed it out the garage. No exhaust, its frighteningly loud. I Drove it out of the cul-de-sac and down the street. Didn't take it over 2k rpm's. Lugged it into second gear. Turned around and pulled it back into the garage.

Well it moves under its own power. That's exciting. Brakes and suspension is pure shit though. Its like driving a 2001 Chevy Cavalier. Hope to get exhaust on it soon and start driving it to work. Will eventually do brakes, springs and struts. Only took me 6 months to get it back to a running state and complete the engine swap. Cannot wait to get exhaust and actually drive it.

[decl00ne]

wow nice looking, but i would wipe the dick of the windscreen:P
finally bought my m50 engine^^

[SkorcherX]

Just ordered exhaust. Went with a Borla Pro XS muffler for the mid section, and a Vibrant dual tip for the rear. Going to pipe it all with 2.5".

So I have the nice M3 engine harness covers for the firewall... however my motor seems to sit too high in order for me to install the top cover. Has anyone ever ran into this?

[N2MYE30]

Everyone. You need to trim the bottom edge of the cover. You can see it on mine.

[mammoth_e30]

Very nice work so far!

[ScHpAnKy]

I used a big screwdriver and wedged it in between 2 bolts on the pulley. Then I got my friend to smack the wrench with a big ol hammer :D

alteratively, use water pump pliers to hold two of the bolts while you loosen the other two and then do the same for the remaining two bolts.

[328ijunkie]

Nice Harness covers ;)

[Jand3rson]

I agree - I think that flywheel is toast. There's going to be too much gap in the clutch area.

Here's what mine looked like after having it machined at a NAPA shop:

I was thinking the same thing. Here's mine, done at a Napa machine shop, as well.

[SkorcherX]

Everyone. You need to trim the bottom edge of the cover. You can see it on mine.

Thank you! This is a huge relief. I was getting really upset that I was going to have to trim it and thought that I did something wrong or bought the wrong motor mounts. Alright... time to Dremel some shit out make it look nice and clean.

[MaxBell]

Hey thanks for explaining that. So I got those torn out now. I would like to eventually run AC, but it's looking like a project for down the road. I am going to have to source all the lines and fittings and I'm just not up to the task at the moment.

I also got the power steering res bolted up to the mount arm.


Alrights on to more questions...

1. This wire is for the fuel pump (Green/Violet). There is no terminal on the starter small enought to bolt this on. What do I do?


2. This wire is for the starter (Black/Yellow). Once again there is no post on the starter small enough for this to connect to.


3. These two 3-pin plugs go down to the G260 transmission. There is nothing in the E36 harness to plug these into. Are these to be ignored?


4. Which way does the arrow on the ISV face? Towards the manifold?


5. What are these two prongs for? Do I need these any longer?


Any response to these questions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much R3vlimited!

What were the answers to these questions? I've encountered most of those and would like to know.

ALSO: I have the exact same car and swap going on, care to post/PM your wiring diagram? I'd love to double check so my car doesn't asplode when I start it.

[MaxBell]

Hmm?

[ScHpAnKy]

you guys using early models? They looks like the crank position sensors on the early getrag 260 transmissions, not necessary on an m50 since the position sensors are on the front of the engine

[MaxBell]

Hey Skorcher...did you figure out what that little 2 prong plug on the firewall is?

(#5 up above)