What would you have differently, knowing what you know now??

[e30serg]

So here's a question that will probably help a lot of us new swappers. For all of you guys that have done the M50/52 and s50/52 swaps-

What would you have done differently. knowing what you know now?

This can be anything, such as, different sequence taken when installing/removing things, different parts used, wished you would've replaced parts that later failed, etc!

Let us know!

[kenika65]

+1

[PiercedE30]

I wish I would have used a VANOS head to take advantage of the 6mm valve stems instead of the NV 7mm valves.
That and gone turbo, whole lot more power potential for not much more power.

[erik325i]

I wish I hadn't of procrastinated so much. I've been building this car for a couple years now, and just finally drove it on the street for the first time today.

Erik

[318isbmw]

I wish I had bought a complete motor and tranny w/ wiring harness all together. Instead of piecing together everything. Would have been easier to buy a driveshaft and all the little parts but have the majority of work done.

[e30s52]

I wish I had bought a complete motor and tranny w/ wiring harness all together. Instead of piecing together everything. Would have been easier to buy a driveshaft and all the little parts but have the majority of work done.

+1 for this. pieceing everything together sucks

[shiboujin]

I wish I had EVERYTHING before I started the actual install. Too bad you can't tell exactly what you need or have all the money at once.

[dougsic]

I used an s50 when I had the opportunity to use an s52. But back then, OBDII was a problem.

More recently, I did the whole Schrick cams, MAF, injectors, chip thing. I KNEW I had a slight lifter tick but was in a hurry for more power.

Dang I'm an idiot. Now the lifter tick is driving me crazy so I get to do the cams/vanos all over again! Stupid!

[e30 gangsta]

I woulda bought a larger displacement motor then a m50tu.

[BeirBrennerE30]

wish I had done an s54 right off the bat... Oh yeah and the A/c was a waste since I never use it

[e30s52]

has anyone done an s54 yet?

[Van Westervelt]

Not really anything I would have changed. Everything came out fine, and I have over 30k on the swap in the last year. I overbuilt and planned it out though, I am a little OCD and anal, so things rarely go wrong.

[smonkbmw]

has anyone done an s54 yet?

http://www.azevedomotorsports.com/home/

[brandon11130]

+2 on the buying of a complete motor.

[e30serg]

Awesome posts guys! Keep 'em coming!