My e30 318is s52 swap thread

[windsor318is]

okay sway bar is complete and rear diff is somewhat in now, ran into some issues with the bar, but nothing really i made some mods on it, used socket head cap screws instead, easier install.

heres the original to the new one...


top mounts in...


front assembly ready to go...


problem here....drill to long hitting the floor...


problem fixed the next day....


complete front assembly...


next was the rear diff, kinda tricky with the door closed but its all about patience, with small areas..



thats all for know, next is installing the e36 driveshaft, and sanding engine bay, spray time....

[Stu]

Windsor, you need reinforcement on the tab of the trailing arm where the endlink mounts. ST rear bar on the stiffer setting is a handful with an S52. :D

[windsor318is]

what kind of reinforcement? i thought just the frame mounts needed reinforcement? im going to drive it like a girl for know i just want it done!! the U clamps on the ends did look a little bent from the previous owner....

[Wishno87]

the tab on the trailing arm where it mounts. your supposed to weld some kind of triangle piece there.

[e30polak]

yeah they r reinforcement tabs for the mounting area on the t-arm...the stock lip bends under heavy load with a bigger rear sway. u can either make the shims urself, or order some from IE for cheap. by the way nice progress

[windsor318is]

the tab on the trailing arm where it mounts. your supposed to weld some kind of triangle piece there.

crap, i thought i seen triangular parts that are suppose to come with the kit, anyone have a pic of the parts im missing?

[Stu]

On the bottom part of the tab, you just need to weld a small piece of metal to triangulate the tab on the trailing arm. That's the #1 weak point, #2 being the upper trunk mount.

I'll try to get a pic of mine soon

[windsor318is]

fuck, makes sense now, i better drive like a pussie, im gonna have a problem with my setup.......stu, you no to much lol

[windsor318is]

good day today, this just arrived, and i was more excited than when my engine came in. now i just realized that i dont need emissions done in ontario because they consider my car a "hotrod" with an engine swap. should i sell the e36 m3 cats? you think the power i can gain from an AA track pipe is worth the cash? heres a pic anyways....

[1990m3]

I have the first part of the AA track pipe, just the piece that goes down through the subframe. After that I made a single 2.5" exhaust and I noticed a pretty big difference, especially in the upper RPM's. Before that I had the OBDI cats and muffler on for about 10k miles. I'm looking forward to this summer with the new exhaust, I've only got about 250 miles on it so far.

[e30s52]

wow i think i need to change my pants now lol. i have been looking at AA but its all so expensive. how did you get that for?

[1990m3]

I bought it on bimmerforums for $150 shipped. It was brand new inside and out, nice piece too

[windsor318is]

wow i think i need to change my pants now lol. i have been looking at AA but its all so expensive. how did you get that for?

i had to change my pants as well, i need to get it fitted shortly, gotta see how it looks out the rear. ive been eyeballing bimmerforums for a very long time for this, used AA's are ranging from 400-600 used, better than 800 new.

1990m3, you payed 150 shipped for the same exhaust???????

[e30s52]

i think he means for the track pipe. i want one so bad.

[1990m3]

yeah for the track pipe, but just the first piece that goes through the subframe, not the resonator piece.