I need specifics!!! E30 M3 S50 swap... HELP

[kevmo707]

Okay, my name is Kevin. My friend just totaled my mint condition 1995 E36 M3. Luckily, all the damage was on the body, so I have an E36 M3 full of parts, with 50K miles, I might add. I have every part from the E36. I'm getting the insurance check tomorrow, and I'm scheduled to pick up a complete E30 M3 with a blown motor on Saturday.

This is where your your advice would be much appreciated.

First of all, Any advice before purchasing anything, even the E30 M3 donor?

What can I reuse from both cars????

I was looking at the ORCA web site, but it seems like I would be paying a lot for parts that I already have.

I am really mechanically able, and I have access to a full fabrication/hot rod shop, so anything is possible. But, I only have limited time to complete this project because I am a college student. I have from now until late December to finish. Similarly I need the car to be reliable because I have a limited supply of tools while at school.

What would be your suggestions???

Anyone from the S.F. bay area that would want to help, I have cash...and extra parts... ;)

[Teaguer]

[smonkbmw]

SEARCH the most comprehensive 24valve swap thread known. its right here on this site, take a look for it.

ot: is this the white e30 for $8900 with no motor?

[kevmo707]

I looked at that one, but it is really hard for me to justify spending
9k on an E30 without the s14 blown or not.

[LINUS]

Search when you need answers, but if you think you need personal help then I'll give you a hand. Please search 1st though.

Mine's a M3 body too - but aside from the c101 connector, there's really zero differences between what E30 body you use. They all need a different master cyl., and they all have the same subframe.

I did a OBD1 S52, but that's the same as you doing a S50.

Really that 1st thread on the page should have any answer you are looking for - this is the best 24v swap forum out there.

[BigD]

Search when you need answers, but if you think you need personal help then I'll give you a hand. Please search 1st though.

Mine's a M3 body too - but aside from the c101 connector, there's really zero differences between what E30 body you use. They all need a different master cyl., and they all have the same subframe.

I did a OBD1 S52, but that's the same as you doing a S50.

Really that 1st thread on the page should have any answer you are looking for - this is the best 24v swap forum out there.

Did you get your engine running dude? Or are you still too scared to smudge every freaking brand new component you have in the engine bay?

Kevin, if you want to see how this should be done, ask LINUS to send you pics of his install. They look like engine shots out of a brochure for a factory S52 E30 m3 - guy bought new fluid tanks!

[LINUS]

^^^^

Haahah - Hey D!

Nope - not yet. Still in storage until I finish moving - but then I will get it done & get my paintjob too. I WILL have it at the E30 Picnic this summer. Thx for the compliments BTW.

How's yours? Did you finish the little stuff, or are you driving 'as is'?

[BigD]

^^^^

Haahah - Hey D!

Nope - not yet. Still in storage until I finish moving - but then I will get it done & get my paintjob too. I WILL have it at the E30 Picnic this summer. Thx for the compliments BTW.

How's yours? Did you finish the little stuff, or are you driving 'as is'?

Nah, no driving until the temperatures get toasty again. I'm finishing it off little by little. The rad and hoses are in, just gotta make a bracket for the coolant tank. Then I need to put in the PS reservoir and hoses (waiting for the new banjo bolts/washers). Trying to find a 318 ECU mount. Still need to add the harness ground stud somewhere. Eventually need to mount the relays and the diagnostic connector. If I get close to a track day and it's not done, zip ties it is.

The biggest thing left is exhaust. I've never read of anyone using a stock E36 system front to back but at first glance, it really seems possible. I have OBDI downpipes and an RSC36 catback. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to get the damn downpipes onto the manifold studs, but I guess I'll just give up and remove the front header. Beyond that it should clear. It seems to follow the underbody just fine... same with the catback... so I uno... I hope no cutting will be involved (esp with the oh so pretty RSC36).

[matt]

I heard you need a new brake booster. Not sure other than that.

[325Projectz]

read, read, and read some more.

I heard you need a new brake booster. Not sure other than that.

:rofl:

[matt]

Dont laugh at me, I stole that joke from Fred K.

[Farbin Kaiber]

I heard you need a new brake booster. Not sure other than that.

Can I keep my cruise control? What about the c101 thingamabobber? Can I use superglue to make....?

[FredK]

Because you have a COMPLETE E36 M3, you are actually a leg up on some swappers who have to reconstruct what goes where on an M50 family engine.

First of all, Any advice before purchasing anything, even the E30 M3 donor?

Time seems to be your enemy, so unless you are tremendously lucky, it'll be difficult to source some of the swap stuff super cheap (like the E34 525i oil pan).

I would get the Treehouse wiring adapter. Yes it is $400, but it allows you to bypass any potential wiring headaches and will reduce your questions to a handful, and you can just call Treehouse to figure stuff out. That's why it costs $400. That, and it's made of NEW parts and to a high standard.

What can I reuse from both cars????

E36: Engine, transmission, engine mount arms, shifter assembly, wiring harness, DME, EWS stuff (if you want to have a pretty sweet way to make sure no one drives your car away), catalytic converter (if you get Treehouse control arm bushings), radiator (you will have to fab mounts--The M3 still uses early-E30-style radiator mounts)
E30 M3: Driveshaft, rubber shift boot (the thing that attaches to the sheetmetal), the rest of the car basically

What would be your suggestions???

Get a Porsche 944 brake booster. Use the E30 325i M20 heater core hose to connect the back of the head to the bottom pipe of the E30 heater core. It's easiest to extract the S50 from the E36 when you remove the front radiator support.

This swap can be done quickly, but you need to perform your due diligence.

[Teaguer]

^ Fred you are way too kind .

[kevmo707]

money is not so much the issue as reliability and time. I looking for a smooth and clean install, while trying to minimize component duplication. I'm not against ordering install kits from Treehouse or Zionsville if it will save me a tremendous amount of time and hassle. Similarly, I also don't want to purchase, lets say, the transmission kit from Zionsville if all I need it the trans cross member, and I have the rest of the part between two vehicles.

P.S. thanks for all the input.