Ok, I need help. Really terrible engine vibration on M50 swap.

[Mr.SWISS]

(maybe i should just buy a mercedes)

[matt]

I took off the UUC cups... the vibration out of gear is MUCH better... but the driveshaft is making noise now. I think I got it out of phase when I did my diff and it came apart.

It's always something, right?

[static]

^^ yea no sht

btw, as i mentioned already, when i was fiddling with the different tranny mounts, i noticed that the gaps between mounts and the brace are not the same (driver side had around 3-4mm gap when the pass side was touching), this is perhaps the result of the 7-8mm washer under the driver side engine mount, so i figured this uneven'ness in stress distributon on the tranny mounts can result in increased noise. I tried to put a couple of fender washers under the driver side mount, but not sure if it made difference.
I also get a clunk that sounds like a slack somewhere in the driveline. I checked the diff bolt (at the bushing) but still no dice.
I have a love-hate relationship with my car, what can i say.
Oh yea, all the noise i get is only when i am in-gear, i guess this points to the driveline, i really had high hopes for the stock tranny bushings.

[Mr.SWISS]

I do not get any of this vibration you guys are describing mine is more like a CV clunk on initial launch and I think may be my axles or the CS bearing I forgot to put the circlip on...shame on me.

I used two of the pass side M5 mounts on the engine and the e36 tranny mounts(which stretched about 2-3 mm when tightening).

[triggrhaapi]

Sounds to me like the E36 mounts that i got are the ticket to having no vibration. That's good to know. What's the verdict on using the washers as spacers on the engine mounts? Good? Bad? How much do I use?

TIA, guys. I've got the motor together and ready to go in, I just need to get the engine harness done and get the mounts in, which can't take longer than a few minutes. The harness is being rewired by a guy who's a professional electrician, since he's my roommate's dad and it means I don't have to worry about it being done wrong.

[FredK]

Around 3/8" of spacers is a good amount.

[static]

Around 3/8" of spacers is a good amount.

matt, here is your chance for a comeback sig quote ;)

[Mr.SWISS]

I have to disagree with Sensei FredK. I didn't see the need or beni to using a spacer and actually lopped off about 3/8ths off the lower mounts bolt. The only reason I can see they do all that weird shit on Orca is to use factory exhaust. It is so much easier taking it to a muffler shop and eating free Krispy Kreme's watching someone else work.

[triggrhaapi]

I have to disagree with Sensei FredK. I didn't see the need or beni to using a spacer and actually lopped off about 3/8ths off the lower mounts bolt. The only reason I can see they do all that weird shit on Orca is to use factory exhaust. It is so much easier taking it to a muffler shop and eating free Krispy Kreme's watching someone else work.

So what? If you don't use spacers then the exhaust doesn't line up? What would be the case if I were, say, to be using aftermarket long tube headers? Still the same case?

[static]

i always thought the reason for spacer was to clear booster

[Mr.SWISS]

i always thought the reason for spacer was to clear booster

Shave the fins off the intake mani. I have about 2 centimeters in mine and the engine tilts the car, not the mounts.

[triggrhaapi]

My booster is the IX booster, so I'll see if I need to get spacers or not when I put it in, but I'll shave the fins off as a precaution.

[FredK]

The reason why spacers might be needed on the passenger side is to clear the stock exhaust manifolds. Otherwise it will interfere with the swaybar. I guess you can always bang an indentation into them in order to clear the sway, but I figured I'd leave well enough alone.

I didn't have to shave any fins. I'm using a 320i booster though.

I tried using aftermarket E36 headers and though they cleared the swaybar fine, they interfered with the passenger side floor. I think if I put a few spacers on the driver's side I could have run them. I might just do that. :)

[static]

i run IX, fins are shaved, 6-7mm spacer is on driver side, and the clearance is only 2-3mm

[Mr.SWISS]

So are you guys using stock(mXX/sxx) exhaust form header to mid? I had my E30 exhaust adapted to the M50 with custom flanges. It is tight but has 2-3 mm of clear, no spacer anywhere.