Need some pointers on S50 swap

[techmaniac]

Hi everyone, I´m a really happy owner of a 87 325i E30, love the ride... anyway... seems to be that the m20 it´s passing to better life soon and I had been gathering info for the swap about 3 months ago... but still have some doubts...


Wich radiator should I use? E30 325i? E36 M3? any other??

Wich suspension setup would you recomend, I can get some custom made shocks with the weight specs I give, but it´s quite expensive, what did you guys did?

Any 4 lug brake upgrades?? dont want to go 5 lugs... too much work...

I know about the booster problems, and strangely a friend of mine managed to swap in the S50 without booster problems, he used E36 engine mounts on both sides I think.... ever heard of some one not having this problem??


hey.. any tip it´s a gooood tip, thanks guys

[erik325i]

Wich radiator should I use? E30 325i? E36 M3? any other??

I've seen a couple different radiators used, but I know the late model e30 (88+) radiator works.

Wich suspension setup would you recomend, I can get some custom made shocks with the weight specs I give, but it´s quite expensive, what did you guys did?

The best thing to do is to go with an adjustable coilover setup (like the C3 Motorsport kit). That way you can chose your own spring rates and adjust the struts/shocks to make it handle perfectly.

Any 4 lug brake upgrades?? dont want to go 5 lugs... too much work...

Yeah, Massive Lee is offering big brake kits for 4-lug e30s. From what I have read, they are quality kits.

I know about the booster problems, and strangely a friend of mine managed to swap in the S50 without booster problems, he used E36 engine mounts on both sides I think.... ever heard of some one not having this problem??

You should swap to a smaller brake booster to clear the intake manifold. You can use the 2002, e21, 325ix, Porsche 924, 944 boosters as well as others.

-Erik

[BigD]

UUC offers a front brake upgrade now, pretty good price too:

12.19" rotor size for 16" (or larger) wheels: http://www.nexternal.com/uuc/Product562

11.75" rotor size fits under 15" (or larger) wheels: http://www.nexternal.com/uuc/Product563

As for the rad, I'm going to try to use a 318 rad because I have an 87 like you so my coolant tank is on the wrong side. This way I don't have to do any f'ing about, and I'll have more room on that side for intake ideas. I'm putting in temp and pressure gauges so if the oil gets too hot on the track, I'll throw in an M5 oil cooler.

[StereoInstaller1]

There is also 300mm.de BBKs, they have several different options.

AKG makes a modded E21 brake booster that they sell new for $180.

What do you plan for exhaust? I am thinking Ebay e36 longtube headers for mine, but I am doing a bone stock M50 single vanos...no big airflow here!

[PiercedE30]

I'm using an S54 MZ3 radiator. 3-Core design and a lot thicker than anything BUT aftermarket, but they are somewhat expensive.

[BingM3]

I am not going to say who but a guy who is popular in this threads who's car looks awesome used a GEO METRO Brake Booster:)

This is a fact

[erik325i]

I am not going to say who but a guy who is popular in this threads who's car looks awesome used a GEO METRO Brake Booster:)

This is a fact

I wouldn't recommend doing this unless you are swapping in a euro s50. That booster is tiny and won't provide a lot of vacuum assist.
The clearance on the Euro s50 intake requires the use of a tiny booster/master cyl setup.

*EDIT* I just realized the the original poster does not live in the US, so he probably is asking about the euro s50 swap... in that case, then yes, the Geo booster is an option.

-Erik

[Mike B.]

The booster from a VW mkII 1.3 (euro) should also fit with a Euro S50 swap.

If you go to the Ate website you can look up all the models that this booster came installed in, this makes finding one a bit easier.

I am also making a bracket that will allow you to run dual masters with the stock pedal cluster which will clear the euro intake. I should have the prototype installed in my car within the week.

[techmaniac]

Hi... exactly... I dont live in the US... i live in Chile... faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar down south... where America ends... I think the engine I´ll be gettint it´s an euro, anyway I´ll check that out.... anyway..... I saw a lots of pics, post and there is one option that NO ONE has ever mention.... the part of the intake that rubs agains the booster CAN be modified, in fact, there are a lot of suitable choices to custom made that single piece.... I dont know how to post pics, so I cant show you my idea.


Thanks for all tips

Ou...... about the radiator........does a 87 325i supports the 88+ radiator?? Cause as far as I know the mounts where diferent between the 87 and the 88+....

[Mike B.]

If your willing to cut up the airbox, your options for boosters increase. However, you still have to deal with the length of the whole assembly (booster/master cylinder). Any assembly where the total length is in excess of 8.5 - 9 inches, you will run into trouble (Euro swap only).

All of the standard S50 swap boosters mentioned earlier are too long for a euro swap and will hit the rubber boot on the airbox. You will either have to move this boot forward in the airbox (like Ian did) or reposition the mounting point for the brake booster.

[techmaniac]

hi

I dont intend in cutting the air box, I was thinking in a custom made stainless-steel piece with all mods to keep the brake booster.

then:

- 88+ 325i radiator will work (any other model in case I found others??)

[bmwpower]

Ou...... about the radiator........does a 87 325i supports the 88+ radiator?? Cause as far as I know the mounts where diferent between the 87 and the 88+....

+1. I'd like to know this as well.....

[Mike B.]

You need to weld in new supports for the 88+ radiator.

[techmaniac]

not easy as you think... the 88+ radiator has diferent hose conecctiones, wich causes water-flow problems when connecting to the thermostat, first the hoses are connected opossite sides in 88+ and seems the 88- water pump cant make the water flow trow the radiator and open the thermostat...I´m running without thermostat for now while I found a solution.

thanks anyway