hello new and doing the s50 swap

[dudaroma]

Ive been viewing these forums for a while now and just now registered.
Ive owned my e30 for about 3 years now. I just purchased a S50 about a month ago, cleaned it up replaced replaced a few things including the thermostat & housing and Ive got it ready to drop in. Now ive compiled a list of what to get for the swap, I already have the motor out of the e30

AKG wiring adapatar
THR brake booster
Headers from ebay
E34 oil pan,pickup,gasket
e28 Motor mount
e28 tranny mount
probly custom exhaust


Along with purchasing the S50 it included the tranny, wiring harness, 413 DME (not sure if its ews equipped, no label), radiator with mounts, stock diff., and driveshaft. Pretty much any parts I need out of the car.... lol. Now to my understanding s50 are much easier to swap in than s52's. Just a couple of questions, will the mech. fan have clearance? Would the e36 radiator work?

This is my second swap ever. First one was a 78' camero im very excited and cant wait to get started ill post some pics up soon, oh and any advice or past experiences would be much apreciated :D

[e30s52]

your list will triple like mine. yes the e36 rad will work. i dont know about the fan im just using a 16in spal fan from bimmerworld. build your own adapter save yourself some cash for the s50 and chip you will need for the ecu

[broke30]

You won't need the e28 tranny mounts if a ZF tranny came with your motor. The stock e30 tranny mounts are just fine. And +1 on what e30s52 said, double what you think your ending cost will be ;)
Max

[e30serg]

You can't use the stock e36 diff. You need one out of an e28, use the e30 diff cover (535is for 3.25 LSD) or something out of and eta (2.93 I think).

Not sure if the stock brake master cylinder will work with THR booster.

320i Tranny mounts are stronger than e30 and use your stock tranny bracket with zf tranny.

[Mike B.]

The stock brake master cylinder will work with the THR booster.

[dudaroma]

did a little searching to update my list a bit :D


AKG wiring adapatar
THR brake booster
Headers from ebay
E34 oil pan,pickup,gasket
e28 Motor mount
e28 tranny mount
probly custom exhaust

++++
95 M3 Front susp/brake assembly (I can pretty much get anything i need from this 95 m3 parts car)
Chip
e36 m3 or 328i 96+ driveshaft
e28 diff
318ti rear susp/brake assembly
e28 m5 motor mounts
e30 325 tranny brace
E21 320i tranny mounts
Already have the E36 engine mount arms
little maintainence for the s50
update retainers

Patientence is a virtue Im currently doing well with.... Balancing the excitement is the issue here. :)

[e30s52]

your excitement will be over run by pain

[e30serg]

Holy shit! A newbie that searched? At his 2nd post? What is this world coming to?
Sounds like you've got most, if not all the info you need. How many miles on that s50? How much maintenance are you doing to it? You many want to consider freshening up the head, it shouldn't be that expensive to replace the valve seals, or maybe even the valve guides-depending on the wear on them.

You should change your subjec to "s50 swap + 5 lug swap!"

You'll also need offset CAB's. Read the 5-lug threads. There are a couple of really good threads on there. Like this one:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=92256

[dudaroma]

ill probably replace the retainers if I decide to take the head off which I most likely will, spark plugs, valve cover gasket, waterpump, 80c thermostat, thermostat housing/gasket, maybe add a slimfan, change tranny, diff. fluids.

Oh the motor has 118k miles, new clutch... gonna check for more things when I extract it, maybe loctite the oil pump nut as well. Im about to pick up the 318ti rear brakes tomorrow, im getting them for $120, should I just ask for the whole assembly subframe/brakes/shocks, cause im gonna be doing the labor :(

[dougsic]

Just a couple of questions, will the mech. fan have clearance? Would the e36 radiator work?

First off, thanks for searching! Good job!

I have a late production e30 (vert) s50 that uses the e36 rad and as noted, it works nicely.

I'm also running the stock 11 blade clutch fan and it fits but I had to trim some of the blades a hair as they just barely touched the vanos.

It is a very tight fit but the fan can be removed without taking out the radiator, though the radiator does have be unbolted and pushed forward against the support to get enough clearance.

Enjoy your swap!

[e30serg]

If you have access to a 318ti, pull the whole rear suspension out! Use that and the parts mentioned from the front of the 95 m3 and you have 5-lug!

So jealous you have access to one. That's the easiest way to do the 5-lug conversion. Bring a big pry bar to put pressure down on that subframe. Read up on the subframe forum to get some tips. Coming from Texas though, you may get lucky and get it rust-free.

Having the whole thing (subframe, trailing arms, etc) is nice 'cause you can clean it up, weld up some reinforcements for the sway, install new bushings, etc and then throw it all in you car in 1 swoop, all together.

Hell, I should find me a subframe to do that with....saves so much time. In fact, I'm going to do that with the front subframe-the motor mount locations on the e30 subframe sometimes crack from the s50 power. Same with the front sway attachment points.