Having an S50 swap done, couple of questions...

[madsedan]

OK, so local shop that does a bunch of swaps is doing up a straight 91 318is for me with an S50. They'll be freshening the motor up with all new gaskets, head gasket, etc. basically everything but rings.

Leaving the E30 tranny and 3.73 lsd in the car, using a 944 brake booster.

Exterior and interior need some TLC but its all stock and a straight car.

Is there anything else I should do or have done before the motor is installed? Convert the rack to non-power, etc.?

I'll be doing the suspension next, buying parts while the swap is being done over the next couple weeks. Since the S50 is only about 50-60# heavier I assume the 325/318 aftermarket suspension will be fine.

Anything special I should ask for as far as the swap goes from the shop, something different with the exhaust, etc.?

[Jand3rson]

Leave the power rack, there's no real good reason to remove power steering, especially if you daily it.

But I would upgrade to an E36 steering rack, great "while you're in there" mod.

[328ijunkie]

Dont use the 944 booster. And are they installing new bearings for the bottom end? Do they know what theyre doing? Are they doing the wiring for the swap? Again, do they know what their doing? lol.

[RobertK]

Leave the power rack, there's no real good reason to remove power steering, especially if you daily it.

But I would upgrade to an E36 steering rack, great "while you're in there" mod.

+1

E36 rack swap is much easier to do while the motor is out.

[IRON-E]

OT;

Dont use the 944 booster.

Reason? I sourced one out, for an upcoming swap and haven't heard or read negative feedback about it yet., please enlighten me.

[FredK]

It will increase braking effort. Aside from that, I can't really think of a downside to a 944 booster.

[N2MYE30]

The "while your in there" can get out of hand quick. Ill add control arms and a SSK. Maybe shave the bay.

Ill plus another for a e36 rack WITH POWER. I would have cursed a storm if I had to do it with the engine still in.

[drumad]

Ill plus another for a e36 rack WITH POWER. I would have cursed a storm if I had to do it with the engine still in.

I've done it both ways. Do that rack now.

[IRON-E]

It will increase braking effort. Aside from that, I can't really think of a downside to a 944 booster.

Thank you Fred.

I'm still awaiting to hear, what Trackjunkie's negative response is on that booster.

[jrdeamicis]

I use E21 boosters, they work fine and they fit fine. Just requires some re-threading of the main shaft.

[Jand3rson]

Thank you Fred.

I'm still awaiting to hear, what Trackjunkie's negative response is on that booster.

Same, I have the 944 booster on my swap, and have seen no adverse effects.

You can't just make a blanket statement like "Don't use the 944 booster" without giving some kind of legitimate reason.

[328ijunkie]

OT cont: ;)

So most people that do these swaps have this mentality of make the car go superfast then downgrade the already crappy brakes?. The Dual Diaphram Booster/Oversize master setups work amazing and UPGRADE the brakes which you should do when you add power to a car not downgrade them like you do with the 944/E21 booster. Those boosters were designed for lighter/smaller/and namely SLOWER cars, so why go to a smaller booster when you go to a larger motor? Makes no sense. On my personal car i did the cheap bastard thing and relocated the booster and did an oversize master. All my customer cars get dual diaphram boosters flushmounted and oversize masters.

[Jand3rson]

What dual-diaphragm booster and oversize master are you using?

[FredK]

Downgrade?

Fiddling with boosters and master cylinders adjust vacuum assist and hydraulic advantage, respectively. There is a range where a booster and master cylinder combo will work effectively and provide "feel", aka modulation. The E21 and 944 booster are well within this range.

If you increase the power of a car, you may want to upgrade the brake system to provide more heat capacity or to increase heat shedding ability through ducting for track work. Fiddling with booster / master combos does neither.

[Wh33lhop]

What freddiekins said. Just because it's easier to push the pedal doesn't mean that you're stopping any faster.