95 m3 ---> s50 e30

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • RefinedThinking
    Advanced Member
    • Sep 2011
    • 119

    #1

    95 m3 ---> s50 e30

    I have a 95 M3 with a bunch of cosmetic flaws but runs soundly. I'm just not a big fan of the " look at me " feeling of it and much prefer the laid back styleing of the E30. I'm really considering doing a swap and parting out what's left of the E36. My question is what should I hold on to from the E36 even if its not 24v related? I understand that I need an E34 oil pan, E21 brake booster, E34 throttle cable , and E28 motor mounts. Can I use the E36 drive shaft and rear end? It would be going into an 89 sedan if that makes a difference. Now I know I'm going to get a few " use the search button" comments but I've been reading this section for a while now and am still overwhelmed.
  • nebulous123
    E30 Modder
    • Jun 2011
    • 923

    #2
    if its a manual get that transmission.
    '84 325e - "Elizabeth"
    '87 325e (SHELL) - "Sleeping Beauty" - COMPLETE PROJECT PART-OUT - S54, 5-LUG, and MORE

    sigpic

    Comment

    • SwiftE30
      E30 Modder
      • Jun 2010
      • 998

      #3
      don't feel overwhelmed. i was at first too, but the more you get down to it, its actually quite a simple process. just read, read, and read. You have the benefit of already being obd1 which is a huge plus.

      you wont be able to use the 95 m3 drive shaft (IIRC), but im pretty sure people have swapped out the gearing from e36 to e30 diff. not sure the process though. its just easier to stick with the e30 diff and either get a revshift flexdisc to run the OEM e30 DS, or get a 4 bolt 97-99 m3 DS, or e36 328i DS.

      Junk Yards are your friend!


      Originally posted by nebulous123
      if its a manual get that transmission.
      ^^this too.
      1989 E30 Zinnoberrot Vert 325i OBD1 S52 turbo;IP

      Comment

      • gp.plus
        E30 Addict
        • Mar 2010
        • 416

        #4
        You can use your vaders w/adapter brackets sold by someone on r3v (RobertK maybe?) and you have a good bit of 5 lug swap there too.

        Comment

        • RefinedThinking
          Advanced Member
          • Sep 2011
          • 119

          #5
          Thank you for the info on the drive shaft, I'll add that to my list of needed parts. And yes it's a manual transmission.

          Originally posted by gp.plus
          You can use your vaders w/adapter brackets sold by someone on r3v (RobertK maybe?) and you have a good bit of 5 lug swap there too.
          I'm personally not a fan of vaders. I was going to sell them.

          Edit : The main purpose of a 5 lug swap is for bigger brake kits right?
          Last edited by RefinedThinking; 02-16-2012, 05:30 PM.

          Comment

          • nrubenstein
            No R3VLimiter
            • Feb 2009
            • 3148

            #6
            Originally posted by SwiftE30
            don't feel overwhelmed. i was at first too, but the more you get down to it, its actually quite a simple process. just read, read, and read. You have the benefit of already being obd1 which is a huge plus.

            you wont be able to use the 95 m3 drive shaft (IIRC), but im pretty sure people have swapped out the gearing from e36 to e30 diff. not sure the process though. its just easier to stick with the e30 diff and either get a revshift flexdisc to run the OEM e30 DS, or get a 4 bolt 97-99 m3 DS, or e36 328i DS.

            Junk Yards are your friend!




            ^^this too.
            If you use a Z3 diff with the CV input flange (or just that input flange), you should be able to use the existing driveshaft.
            2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison
            2002 BMW M3 Alpinweiß/Black
            1999 323i GTS2 Alpinweiß
            1995 M3 Dakargelb/Black
            - S50B32/S6S420G/3.91
            1990 325is Brilliantrot/Tan
            1989 M3 Alpinweiß/Black

            Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Black/Black
            Hers: 1988 325iX Coupe Diamantschwartz/Black 5spd

            sigpic

            Comment

            • gp.plus
              E30 Addict
              • Mar 2010
              • 416

              #7
              Originally posted by RefinedThinking

              Edit : The main purpose of a 5 lug swap is for bigger brake kits right?
              That and a wide selection of quality oem wheels with decent widths.

              Comment

              • RefinedThinking
                Advanced Member
                • Sep 2011
                • 119

                #8
                Alright so E36 parts to keep are: Engine w/ accessories , Transmission , steering rack , wiring harness / DME for the 24v swap. Optional are 5 lug swap stuff , window switches.. Anything else that I'm missing?

                Comment

                • SwiftE30
                  E30 Modder
                  • Jun 2010
                  • 998

                  #9
                  Originally posted by gp.plus
                  That and a wide selection of quality oem wheels with decent widths.
                  IMO its a waste of time, and adds way too much unnecessary weight. You can find just as nice looking wheels in 4 lug. The majority of people i have talked to that did the 5lug swap did it mainly because they ran out of things to do, and wanted to stay occupied.
                  1989 E30 Zinnoberrot Vert 325i OBD1 S52 turbo;IP

                  Comment

                  • FKNFASTM5
                    E30 Addict
                    • Apr 2007
                    • 493

                    #10
                    Look Here.

                    Hope this helps bud. I would proceed as you were, swap all you can into an e30.

                    Comment

                    • ACHTUNG
                      R3VLimited
                      • May 2005
                      • 2397

                      #11
                      E36 steering rack
                      1989 US E30 Cammed S52
                      Under Construction: 1983 Euro E28 Cammed LQ9/LS3 Heads/Jakeb E28 LSx Kit

                      Comment

                      • RefinedThinking
                        Advanced Member
                        • Sep 2011
                        • 119

                        #12
                        You can use the e36 radiator right?

                        Comment

                        • FKNFASTM5
                          E30 Addict
                          • Apr 2007
                          • 493

                          #13
                          You obviously did not follow the link i posted.

                          radiator, COMPLETE exhaust system, trust me they are hard to come by. everything in the engine bay, you can use the front spindles, brakes, and struts for 5lug. steering rack ecu, wiring harness wheels, for 5 lug rollers or whatever

                          Comment

                          • RefinedThinking
                            Advanced Member
                            • Sep 2011
                            • 119

                            #14
                            Originally posted by FKNFASTM5
                            You obviously did not follow the link i posted.
                            Haha I did! I'm sorry.

                            Comment

                            • FKNFASTM5
                              E30 Addict
                              • Apr 2007
                              • 493

                              #15
                              No worries bro. Sift through that thread. Good info in there.

                              Comment

                              Working...