Buying e30 with s52 swap..please help!

[dmitri]

I might buy this e30 that has a s52 swap already done by a reputable shop. Has OBD I conversion and other things but no internals.

It has a high, unsteady idle...never sounds like dieing but I dont know what to make of it. Once its moving it runs great! The guy says its due to the lightened flywheel. Anyone know? Can the lighter flywheel cause idle imbalance?

Thanks,
Dmitri

[Brew]

How high is the idle?
Most companies that offer software for these motors have an option for lightweight flywheels that bumps the idle speed up about 150 rpm. The idle shouldn't be rough just because a lighter flywheel though, although a bit more vibration than stock because it doesn't dampen the cylinder pulses quite as much.
It sounds like the car might have a misfire at idle- could be caused by a number of things, but most commonly its spark plugs or a bad coil or boot.

[equate975]

Could be the usual plugged ICV too, or maybe they never adjusted the new throttle cable or throttle body correctly.

A bad TPS might cause this too, if it has a dead spot where the idle should be

[aeryk7]

I might buy this e30 that has a s52 swap already done by a reputable shop. Has OBD I conversion and other things but no internals.

It has a high, unsteady idle...never sounds like dieing but I dont know what to make of it. Once its moving it runs great! The guy says its due to the lightened flywheel. Anyone know? Can the lighter flywheel cause idle imbalance?

Thanks,
Dmitri

First of all the engine has to be converted to Obd1 for it to work without going standalone.

Maybe the swap was done by a reputable shop but maybe they never changed the 4 cyclinder rpm plug for the 6 cylinder one , and maybe it just idles bad.

[Mastrcruse]

take a video and post it

[LINUS]

Bah! Be a man and build your own. Unless you are so rich your time is worth more than the cost of a perfect swap car, and this doesn't sound like that one. I like the sound of the white E30M3 with a S50B32 in the cars FS forum. I'd get that and go Warsteiner like Vlad the Pimp.

Seriously, you're a smart enough fellow. Build, don't buy. Buyers are title holders, builders are owners and can say "That's mine".

[dude8383]

Seriously, you're a smart enough fellow. Build, don't buy. Buyers are title holders, builders are owners and can say "That's mine".

very well put.

[cheades]

Bah! Be a man and build your own. Unless you are so rich your time is worth more than the cost of a perfect swap car, and this doesn't sound like that one. I like the sound of the white E30M3 with a S50B32 in the cars FS forum. I'd get that and go Warsteiner like Vlad the Pimp.

Seriously, you're a smart enough fellow. Build, don't buy. Buyers are title holders, builders are owners and can say "That's mine".

What have you built yet???? I've seen parts and pieces to put the puzzle together but nothing that actually does anything. ;)

[LINUS]

What have you built yet???? I've seen parts and pieces to put the puzzle together but nothing that actually does anything. ;)

Oh, so it's gunna be like that, huh? O.K. - I'll let you have your fun for now. You may be old, bald and guzzling Metamucil by the day it happens, but you just bought yourself engine install duty with that little comment.

[cheades]

hahahahaha, just give me a call at my retirement home in Arizona.

[Lobstrosity]

First of all the engine has to be converted to Obd1 for it to work without going standalone.

No. You can run OBD-II, just requires the EWS and some other wiring. You are not limited to OBD1 or standalone.

I second Brew's and equate975's comments.

[dmitri]

The kid was shady and saw me in my e90 and assumed that I wanted to spend 12 grand and so he wouldn't budge on his asking price! Bad Business!

I am trying to go see Dude8383's 318is this weekend hopefully.

I am going to go s50 and supercharge it, I figure it will be a challenge but do-able, I have air tools and everything, just not a lift, and have done serious work to other cars (mostly old chevy, but experience helps). I'm excited because since I got my e90 330xi all Ive wanted is to build a race e30 and rip it!!! I'll keep it updated, thanks for all your opinions!

-Dmitri

[hugh jass]

if you can afford not to diy, do it. there is no harm in buying a car with the swap already in place. you'll probably save money and still have fun.

[dmitri]

nope doing it myself, thats how I know it will be done to my expectations.