My 1993 M52 swap build thread (ILL)

[illuminati21]

Hello I'm new to the e30 scene but I've wanted one for the past 2 years or so....so after some researching and hours of watching YouTube videos I decided I was going to buy one. I always liked the little cars but being a Mercedes 190E lover the BMW was my enemy. I spent many hours on 190revolution.com but I crashed the Mercedes years ago and it's time to move on. So finally after searching and saving I finally found the perfect candidate for my project, I would have done any 87-93 e30 cabrio but I really wanted one with the plastic bumpers and it was hard to find cabrio's period (In my price range) So about two weeks ago I stumbled across a 1993 green e30 on Craigslist that's needed a clutch and smokes a little and I thought I was perfect so I bought it now the fun begins.

To keep it short here's my plans I want to swap in a M52 with s50 cams, and a ODB I conversion. I'll probably mount it up to a ZF 5-speed.

I've ordered the cams already ;) and they should be here TODAY and I have an ideal M52 to use that's for sale on Craigslist and my plans is to get this done soon as possible because I can't wait to drive this creature.

Any Comments questions or advice would be appreciated. ~ILL

[mosmmc]

nice , good luck with the build and keep us updated..

[illuminati21]

This project is basically going to come down to time and money, with me not being a mechanic I'm going to have to pay people do a lot of work for me. But i'm a DIY'er and I love to save money, so if any members live in the Colorado Springs/Denver area and want to help me with my project I'm all for it!!! & I don't mind getting my hands dirty, I can supply beer, blunts and barbecue and we can go to work.... lol or if that doesn't sound good also recommending me to an affordable mechanic/engine builder in my area would also help. Thanks I will keep you guys updated I don't want this thread to die till the project is done and dyno'ed. :)

[Nick_S]

The swap is not hard even if you're not all that mechanically inclined. There is an overwhelming amount of info on these swaps on this forum alone. Just read every thread you can find. It will all start to make sense. The cost of your swap will be astronomically higher if you pay people to do it. I did my basic m50 swap for around $1500. Just do your research. Great find on the car BTW.

[illuminati21]

@Nick_s the swap doesn't seem hard taking that theirs crazy write ups and forums on it and At the end of the day I want this to be another one. :) :) but $1,500 for the whole swap is not bad... In my head I came up with the number of about $2,800 to $3,100 when I'm done, which is more than what I paid for the BTW but if I can do it for under 2 grand that would be great and it would get done ALOT faster but the only part I have acquired for this swap so far are my s50 cams which cost me $317.00 shipped and I'm really hoping they get here TODAY!!! (Even tho I don't have an engine to out them in yet.)

[illuminati21]

The swap is not hard even if you're not all that mechanically inclined. There is an overwhelming amount of info on these swaps on this forum alone. Just read every thread you can find. It will all start to make sense. The cost of your swap will be astronomically higher if you pay people to do it. I did my basic m50 swap for around $1500. Just do your research. Great find on the car BTW.

.

The swap seems pretty straight forward but changing cams and stuff can leave more room for error and screwing things up I'm also want to build the head and hit it with a nice port and mild polish I can imagine what the machine shop bill will be.... Plus every mechanic I talk to hear the word BMW and they get timid on me....... I should have my M52 soon, I have the most of the money just need time to drive to Denver to pick it up. It would be nice if I could find one local M50's are everywhere nowadays.

[10Toes]

@Nick_s the swap doesn't seem hard taking that theirs crazy write ups and forums on it and At the end of the day I want this to be another one. :) :) but $1,500 for the whole swap is not bad... In my head I came up with the number of about $2,800 to $3,100 when I'm done, which is more than what I paid for the BTW but if I can do it for under 2 grand that would be great and it would get done ALOT faster but the only part I have acquired for this swap so far are my s50 cams which cost me $317.00 shipped and I'm really hoping they get here TODAY!!! (Even tho I don't have an engine to out them in yet.)

Those cams won't work in your engine.

[agent]

Obd2 > obd1.

[illuminati21]

Those cams won't work in your engine.

And why won't these work?? I was sure that this has been done before, I was thinking drop them in and maybe get a retune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxRsgPGZbNw&sns=em

[illuminati21]

Obd2 > obd1.

Hopefully it is that simple cause my cams are here. I really hope they will work cause I don't want to send then back or resale them.

[illuminati21]

Hopefully it is that simple cause my cams are here. I really hope they will work cause I don't want to send then back or resale them.

[mpowerful]

Yeah man i dont the euro cams will work. Sorry :(... should be able to resale them maybe.

[illuminati21]

Yeah man i dont the euro cams will work. Sorry :(... should be able to resale them maybe.

Thanks for your input Mpowerful that's 2 no's that these cams won't work that's going to make me start to believe it. I know this has been done I just don't know what was all involved in making in happen... I will do some more research I puposely wanted the "Euro" cams just cause their "EURO" cams and it just sounds good. LoL

[dude8383]

The euro s50 motors are completely different man...

[Blaise]

You'd want U.S. s50/s52 cams as those are a direct fit with m52 cam trays.