s52 swap temp. gauge

[equate975]

Uhhh... you don't need the DME temp sensor?

Thats was my point, obviously you need it. I don't even understand why it should be a question.

[vr4boy]

The only right way to do it is to drill/tap a hole in the head at the provided blank boss, and install the e30 sensor. Otherwise you will have a completely dead temp gauge, or one pegged to the red all the time.

The whole double sender splitter cable bulshit sucks. Just do it right.

+1
i agree,just drill and tap....that's what i did on my swap.

[btec116]

The temp vs. resistance is all over, you can't stick a resistor on. The only possible way to do this, would to make an IC to convert everything. I don't have the time or care enough to do it, your better off just tapping the head anyways.

IC? Shit, what signals does that thing make?

The only thing that should work, which to my knowledge no one has tried, is to get an e36 temp gauge and solder it into the e30 cluster and do some fancy wiring to it. I don't see why that wouldn't work either.

OK, that really is more trouble than its worth...

There's a free port (blocked off with a threaded cap) ahead of the dual sensor. I thought about using that, but it seems the M20 sensor is a bit long and would go through and hit the block. anyone tried that? Is it there on M50's?
Thanks for all the info!

[Jason89i]

IC?
There's a free port (blocked off with a threaded cap) ahead of the dual sensor.
Thanks for all the info!

yes, the EURO s50's have a blocked off port just next to the dual sensor. the m20 sender threads right into there. re-wire, drive off into the sunset. the m50 / m52's do not. (that includes the u.s. version m50b30 or m52b32 aka u.s. m-motors.) cheers, jason

[equate975]

You can also take off the nipple for the TB coolant hose and thread a sensor into that. I tired to get a vdo 1/8th NPT to work, but the threads are so close its not gonna. I have head you can take a die and rethread the m20 one to fit, but I can't verify that.

[Jason89i]

i dont think having a temp gauge reading off the t-body would be of any use. it doesnt tell you how hot the head is getting....and thats whats critical.

[equate975]

No, unthread the nipple where the TB coolant hose goes into the head. Then you have a hole right in the head ready to use. The tricky part is just getting a sender that will go into it.