M52 swap thoughts....

[Fidhle007]

So my friend just informed me that he has an M52 that he's not using and said he'd trade it to me for a few cases of beer and topless girl or two. My M20 is fine but I really can pass up this opportunity, the problem is I haven't a clue as to where to start...

The actually swap seems easy enough: remove old engine, drop in new engine, skin a few knuckles, curse heavily, drink a beer or two once everything is in... It's the tranny and engine management parts that confuse me, this motor comes out of an auto car so I guess I'll have to get a new tranny, or do I? I've also been told to convert it to OBD1, is this worth the effort or can I just keep it as is?

I've read through a lot of the threads here but I'm still feeling sort of n00bish, I'd love to hear from some of you guys who have done this swap!

Thanks!
Brendan

[325Projectz]

If you have some money to play with, like $2k, you should do it. If your car is a manual just reuse your flywheel clutch & trans. Find an OBD1 donor motor get all the electronics. Then you'll need some other little stuff here and there. You have a late model so you're cooling stuff is good to go. But overall if you can get the motor for free (or close to) it'd be worth it.

[E30_pilot]

Send the m52 my way...
So I can make a hybrid using my nonvanos m50...


seriously tho...give me..











the real question is.....

What the condition of the M52?

[Fidhle007]

The motor is clean, it dynoed at 170 right be for the car was hit. The PO didn't have insurance and just went out and bought another car and then was promply deported... (Long Story...) Anyway, the car is now in my friend's possesion and he's made enough money selling parts off of it so far so he's offered me the M52.

I'd love to keep my stock tranny but I keep reading how I should buy a new one... And why should I convert it to OBD1?

[FredK]

Just keep your stock transmission (well, as long as it's a Getrag 260, and not an automatic!).

The Getrag 250 is not worth it unless you get it for extremely cheap. The ZF 310/320 is a fairly expensive transmission, so if you're trying to get this done on the cheap, reuse your stock 260.

Yes you could run it as OBD-II, especially because you already have all of the OBD-II parts. The OBD-II swap isn't as well documented, however. There are fewer people who'd be able to help you if you run into a snag.

[matt]

Leaving it OBDII is dumb, IMHO. Too much work, 0 payoff.

Ditto using the 260. The e36 transmissions fit great.

[Fidhle007]

Wait, what tranny do I have now? I thought it was a 260...

[Fidhle007]

I found this link: http://www.rmeuropean.com/index.asp?...on=Custom&ID=8, any opinions?

[CarsSuck]

not to be an ass, but all this info is available here or on the wiki. Swapping an M52 is just like swapping an s52. And all the info for using your transmission (getrag 260) is also widely available.

if you want to convert to OBDI, and you do... http://homepage.mac.com/aceves/OBDI/OBD_ONE3.htm
That's for an e36, but should be the same. You basically need every OBDI electrical part and a few other things like the intake manifold.

[erik325i]

you should know better, all of this info has already been covered. Just read a little.

You can either reuse your stock tranny, or use an e36 tranny. It is possible to leave the motor OBDII. I think there are two people on this forum who have OBDII m52s in their e30. Most people convert it to OBDI though.

-Erik

[madjurgen]

If you have any reading comprehension skills and you actually searched and read, you wouldve already answered all your questions.

[hoveringuy]

Please don't shred me for not reading the available info on this.. I have.

I have also considered an M-52 swap since relatively late model motors from the 5 series are available. The cost of converting an M-52 to OBDI doesn't make as much sense as converting an S-52. It is a much larger chunk of an M-52 conversion as compared to an S-52.

Anyway, running OBDII is NOT that well documented. I would be interested in doing it. What needs to be done/ not done compared to a regular M50 conversion?

Hoveringuy

[japspecvr6]

Once You go obd 1 m52 with no cats......You will never go back

[Fidhle007]

I have searched and read, as was stated in my original post. If only you guys had reading comprehension skills...

The OBDII swap is not very well documented at all which is precisely why I asked, I was looking for personal opinions. I have the opportunity to use this motor and I wanted to know if it was worth it and what the most effective and/or cost effective way to use it would be. Sheesh.

[Fidhle007]

Once You go obd 1 m52 with no cats......You will never go back

See, this is what I like to hear. I'm still wondering if I shoud build the shit out of the motor or just cam it... I suppose a compression test will answer that for me.