New guy here with an S52

[///Mariani]

Hey everyone, New guy here. Ive visited this site alot in order to get help for my E30 swap.
For starters, I have a 1984 318i with an s52 in it, just started it about a month ago and it runs great. For the most part, I had really no idea what H3LL i was even doing, hence me visiting this site among many others, and with a lot of reading I managed to make it work with no problem at all. But now I hitting a few road blocks, so I have a few questions. I apologize if the questions have been asked and answered before, feel free to point me to an old thread.

So the car runs but does not move. I mated the S52 with the ZF 310 5 spd and now its time for a Drive Shaft, but which one to use. Ive looked all over and there doesnt seem to be a solid answer. I called the guys up at Bavarian Auto recycling and they were no help. Their products are good, but their customer service is a joke. They do however have a Driveshaft for sale PN: 26111227283, a 96-99 328i (4dr, 2dr, conv) drive shaft. Will that fit my car with no modification? I understand that I need a new Diff, thats no news to me.

Also for exhaust, It seems that everyone goes custom from down pipes on down to the end. Im running into the problem where the front header (stock s52) points right at the subframe with just inches of clearance. Is it possible to get stock s52 downpipes and have a muffler shop mod/bend them? I really dont know much about exhaust systems. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Mistawall]

im not to sure either but i will be heading down the same road as you soon. i think drive shaft may depend on what Differential you have. im pretty sure you can use an e36 ds if you change the CSB otherwise u need a 325 e30 ds but you may have to change a flange. dont quote me im just goin off what i may have read.

ive read of others using the e36 exhaust up to the cats with minor modification depending what engine mounts they have used and went custom from there back

i saved this thread for some reason
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=308376 maybe for refernce of what people di with there exhausts

[Varinn]

I had an exhaust shop modify the angle of the front header on my s52 swap as it had the same clearance problem. It cost very little and they built a full custom system after it.

[agent]

With the ZF box you need a drive shaft out of a late E36 (96-98) or an "e" model E30. Both have the larger giubo. It is not dependent on the differential; they are all the same.

[///Mariani]

With the ZF box you need a drive shaft out of a late E36 (96-98) or an "e" model E30. Both have the larger giubo. It is not dependent on the differential; they are all the same.

I see. And as long as I keep the same center support bearing, everything should fit right into place, as if it were meant to be all along? The 4cyl drive shaft that came out seems considerably longer than the later E36 ones. Probably due to smaller motor and shorter tranny. The 328i is 1492mm. I think the 98 M3 is around the same. I just dont want any costly mistakes.

[///Mariani]

I had an exhaust shop modify the angle of the front header on my s52 swap as it had the same clearance problem. It cost very little and they built a full custom system after it.

Oh, never thought of that. Might go that route then. Thanks.

[agent]

These eBay stainless headers are a popular option. This specific item/seller seems to have the least amount of fitment issues, though if you're running two pre-cat O2 sensors you'll need to re-drill holes and have bungs welded.

RobertK will be finishing up his bolt-on 24v swap exhaust solution before long.

[Mistawall]

With the ZF box you need a drive shaft out of a late E36 (96-98) or an "e" model E30. Both have the larger giubo. It is not dependent on the differential; they are all the same.

thanks for clarifying that. i will probably remember it better now as i have yet to purchase a drive shaft for my build

[arch4ngel]

With the ZF box you need a drive shaft out of a late E36 (96-98) or an "e" model E30. Both have the larger giubo. It is not dependent on the differential; they are all the same.

It IS dependent on the diff flange. There are both 6 and 4 bolt driveshaft varieties, e30 has a 4 bolt flange stock but I've heard the 6 bolt/cv joint flange can be fitted easily.

[Fender13Bender]

More details on your build?

What wiring adapter did you use? I also have an 84 318i in the process of an M52 swap.