S50 into 1991 318is

[soliver]

I am planning to do the entire swap the weekend of March 4th. I bought myself a wrecked 95 M3 and have dismantled it. I have everything sorted out, brake boost, mounts, oil pan, wiring... Everything except the radiator and drive shaft. I have seen different posts saying that every drive shaft known to man will work, and others that claim only an E30 M3 will fit.

I am using the S50 with the 95 M3 transmission. Some posts have claimed that the drive shaft from my 95 M3 will work, can someone who has done this swap confirm this for me?? If my 318 shaft will work that would be great too. I don't want to pull my old engine and throw in the new one just to spend a week with it on a lift while I look for a drive shaft that fits.

Radiator?? I have the 318 one, but I am guessing that won't work. The sense I get is that people typically use the E36 325 radiator. I could use some expert council on this also.

Thanks

[permit]

Depending on where you live, the m42 radiator will work.

[Addissimo]

I'm assuming your parts car was a front end wreck, otherwise you could just use the m3 radiator.

If you're usings the 95m3 tranny, the e30m3 driveshaft works for sure. I remember reading somewhere that you can use the 1997 M3 5speed drive shaft as well. Anything else you're going to have to take to a driveshaft shop to have shortened.

-Addis

[Herb]

Call Treehouse and talk to Jon or Rob, they'll give you a straight answer. 615-333-9118 or www.treehouseracing.com.
Herb

[1990m3]

i used an E30 m3 driveshaft in my swap (same car and motor as you) and it was a pretty tight fit. I'd like to use my M42 radiator, but in the summers I don't think it'll have enough cooling capacity. I'm using a E36 one as well.

Dave

[soliver]

I'm assuming your parts car was a front end wreck, otherwise you could just use the m3 radiator.

If you're usings the 95m3 tranny, the e30m3 driveshaft works for sure. I remember reading somewhere that you can use the 1997 M3 5speed drive shaft as well. Anything else you're going to have to take to a driveshaft shop to have shortened.

-Addis

Is the 97 different from the rest of the E36? It should at least be the same on all the S52 cars right? I saw that in a post too, and it has contributed to my confusion.

[KangamangusDriver]

I am running a stock 318is radiator with an electric fan. Noticed it does run slightly warm. Installed water wetter and noticed the temps dropped a lil bit.

It has worked fine so far. However extreme temps do not occur often in New Hampshire.

If you plan on tracking it and/or live in a climate that sees high temps and traffic, I would recommend replacing it.

It has worked fine so far, however I do intend to change it out.

[aeryk7]

As far as driveshaft it depends what tranny you are gonna use . If you use the the transmision from the 318is (getrag 240) a e30 m3 driveshaft will work along with a 325is driveshaft. Funny things is i started out with the getrag 240 decided it was getting to be a hassle and just used a transmission from a 325is along with driveshaft. When i went this route the driveshaft was slightly short by an inch or so , so i seperated the shafts enough to compensate then tightened it up. Works like a champ.


For the radiator i used the one from my 318is i just used hoses from an m20 i believe or maybe i used the same ones from the 318is i forget ,basically i had to make them fit.

[soliver]

As far as driveshaft it depends what tranny you are gonna use . If you use the the transmision from the 318is (getrag 240) a e30 m3 driveshaft will work along with a 325is driveshaft. Funny things is i started out with the getrag 240 decided it was getting to be a hassle and just used a transmission from a 325is along with driveshaft. When i went this route the driveshaft was slightly short by an inch or so , so i seperated the shafts enough to compensate then tightened it up. Works like a champ.


For the radiator i used the one from my 318is i just used hoses from an m20 i believe or maybe i used the same ones from the 318is i forget ,basically i had to make them fit.

318is transmission on an S50? Does that bell housing match up??

I have decided I am using the E36 M3 transmission. Can anyone confirm for me beyond a shadow of a doubt that either my 318is or 95 M3 drive shaft will fit?

[aeryk7]

It will, e36 m3 tranny and driveshaft should fit like a champ same chassis same tranny as a 325is.

318is driveshaft is about 2-3 inches too long

-Yes the 318is transmission will work you will again have to use a driveshaft from an e36 m50/s50 car or e30 m3 driveshaft. Problems you will run into is you will need to buy a heavy duty clutch disc to hold the power of an s50 and not burn up to nothing in a week.

[Jason89i]

It will, e36 m3 tranny and driveshaft should fit like a champ same chassis same tranny as a 325is..

somewhat ture.....e36m3 driveshafts came in different bolt configurations. just make sure the rear section has 4 studs for the diff mounting. cheers, jason

[aeryk7]

somewhat ture.....e36m3 driveshafts came in different bolt configurations. just make sure the rear section has 4 studs for the diff mounting. cheers, jason

Yes , i forgot about that i believe some had a 6 bolt stud pattern rather than a four.

[bmws50b30]

most use the e30m driveshaft. if you're using the e36m tranny, you can't go wrong with the e30m DS

[soliver]

Thanks everyone,

I am going to see if I can make the E36 M3 drive shaft work. I'll see how that goes.

Should I use my M3 rear diff? Will the 318is diff be able to handle the power out of my S50?

[1990m3]

don't use the 4.10 diff from the M3 with the E36 M3 gearbox, your gearing will be ridiculously short. Most go with a 3.15, 3.23, 3.25, or 3.46 with that gearbox. I'm using a 3.46 sourced from a E28 car. I've heard stories of short lived diffs when using a 318 (it's a smaller diff, can't handle as much power) unit so I didn't bother trying. I just installed the E28 and will use that.

I installed my E30 M3 driveshaft two days ago and the fit was super tight just for your reference.

dave