Getting started on 24 valve swap?

[Tismael711]

I'm planning on a M50 swap for the spring. A local yard has a 525i, a 530i wagon, and a couple of E36's....all with motors. Which motor produces the most power and would make for the easiest, least expensive swap? I can get either motor for about $400 with the yard pulling the motor. How can i tell, besides mileage, which engine the best? How do you tell if the motor even runs? I know I'm asking "noobie" questions....but I'm not a mechanic. Last question...any suggestions on a honest and fair shop to do the swap! Or any shade tree mechanics willing to do it in their garage?

[goarmy]

The 2.5 m50 are high compression motors great for turbo and are cheap motors, some peaple say they like how the 2.8L with s52 cams feel.

[328ijunkie]

:wave ;)

[6gen91]

Search button.

[Tismael711]

I've done a search....read the stickys...and other threads. Too much conflicting info. I just want to get started. I want to 1st buy a motor and start putting all the other parts together. I just want some advice from those who have successfully and economically done a M50 swap.

[jrdeamicis]

• Complete M52 2.8
• Running the Z3 2.8 ECU (OBD2 2.8 - Only 1 O2 sensor pre and post)
• Matching 2.8 (5 speed trans)
• Have Dave @ marketMM wire you up a harness.
• Have the Secondary O2 Deleted by a tuning company (TRM, Turner, Bimmerworld, AA, and another, and another)
• Enjoy car
• Find an E21 booster while you are at the yard.
• Find a 525i oil pan and pickup
  

[greyis89]

Don't plan a swap on a budget if you want it done well. Dive in, know some stuff, do it right and you won't be regretful if you're serious about it. There's conflicting info because there is more than one way and peoples prefrences. Get an idea of want you want and what you have to do it. Then when spring rolls around, piece of cake.

[BAVARIAN IRON]

Ita nice for someone to post a straight answer for once

• Complete M52 2.8
• Running the Z3 2.8 ECU (OBD2 2.8 - Only 1 O2 sensor pre and post)
• Matching 2.8 (5 speed trans)
• Have Dave @ marketMM wire you up a harness.
• Have the Secondary O2 Deleted by a tuning company (TRM, Turner, Bimmerworld, AA, and another, and another)
• Enjoy car
• Find an E21 booster while you are at the yard.
• Find a 525i oil pan and pickup
  

[Boostesi]

• Complete M52 2.8
• Running the Z3 2.8 ECU (OBD2 2.8 - Only 1 O2 sensor pre and post)
• Matching 2.8 (5 speed trans)
• Have Dave @ marketMM wire you up a harness.
• Have the Secondary O2 Deleted by a tuning company (TRM, Turner, Bimmerworld, AA, and another, and another)
• Enjoy car
• Find an E21 booster while you are at the yard.
• Find a 525i oil pan and pickup

dave did my harness, 100% plug and play, everything was mint. and from reading and seeing some nightmares on here i would say its money well spent.

[328ijunkie]

Ftw :D

[acolella76]

Dave is good people, I believe two of my friends have harnesses he made and both of them work great!

[drummerchubbs]

What would you need to get an OBDII into the e30?

EWS deleted and modified coolant temp sender?

Anything else?

[Mr.SWISS]

What would you need to get an OBDII into the e30?

EWS deleted and modified coolant temp sender?

Anything else?

Or tap your head or swap for an OBD1 tapped head.

[MattM]

530's dont have M50's... the E34 525 and all early E36 325's (pre 96) have the same Engine options, both switched to Vanos circa 92.

[drummerchubbs]

So, Ill still have to tab the OBDII head? SOrry if these questions have been numerously asked. I've searched.

Would you recommend OBDII or is OBDI cheaper all in all?