m50 swap maybe? please help?

[CrJdMc]

Hey guys, i know this is talked about alot, but all the stuff i see is "this is a basic list of what needs to be done" i am on a budget, and i am wanting to do this the cheapest, yet reliable way possible. So i am planning on using some used parts, i am wandering what exactly is needed to do the swap, parts, and what i need to modify myself, thanks guys, its greatly appreciated.

[cormier]

Easiest way is to find a complete motor with wiring harness, tranny, ecu and go from there. There's really not a lot too it if you have all that complete. From there all the lists you talked about should be complete

How mechanically inclined are you? You can save money by making your own harness, modifying your own booster, etc. it's impossible to give a complete list without knowing your starting point

Have your read the DOHC wiki? Or the other stickies here? Go through those and make pen and paper notes for each section of the swap. From there, search on whatever specific you're unsure of. Really the only way... Or splurge and get the conversion CD

[CrJdMc]

I plan on getting the m50 and the wiring harness together, and i plan on keeping the tranny i have now, i have not found a complete list from beyond this point, and i will do the research you suggested. Thanks a lot for the helpful advice! if anyone knows of a complete list and has it handy, would you link me? thank you.

[Roysneon]

Read these:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=257032

http://www.e30dohc.com/wiki/index.php?title=DOHC_Swap_Basics

Then come back and post what you think you need and we'll go from there.

[CrJdMc]

thank you so much, it is greatly appreciated.
SO far i have
-M50tub25
-e36 325i wiring harness .
-stock getrag 260
-e28 motor mounts
-stock tranny mounts?
-m3 flywheel.
-stock radiator.
-e34 oilpan.
-e21 brake booster.
-performance clutch
-e34 throttle cable

I am deeply confused on the wiring, do i need the e36 wiring harness? or the e34 harness? and the tranny mounts, i am confused about those as well.what needs to be done to them? Also, mounts, could i use the e36 mounts? is there anything else i am missing? i am trying to do the swap cheap, yet not rigged. with this list would it be drivable?

[GunMetalGrey]

Nothing needs to be done with thr trans mounts, just buy a swap brace ;)

[328ijunkie]

You can use the E36 harness. If anything its prefered.

[CrJdMc]

oh ok, what about the motor mounts? e36 mounts?

[CrJdMc]

You can use the E36 harness. If anything its prefered.

also, for the e36 wiring harness, do i need an adapter

[evandael]

use e36 motor mount arms and e28 535 engine mounts, modify the trans brace for the additional angle and use e21 trans mounts

regarding the harness, use the e36 but e34 will work. an adaptor is the hack way to do it, better would be to read the ETMs for your car and the donor car and re-pin the engine harness connector to mate up with the body connector like factory.

you best replace the water pump, thermostat, tighten the oil pump nut, and replace various seals/gaskets/filters/etc while your in there. new crank position sensor may be a good idea, as well as cleaning the MAF and idle control valves and a new o2 sensor.
i would budget at least 2500 to do it halfway decent.


and finally, research more.

[CrJdMc]

i am researching, however, i am lost on the wiring, what exactly does it mean to re-pin the car? and what is a ETM? lol?