survey: Who is runnig a 24v swap with obd2?

[flyboyx]

traction control? wow! out of curriosity, how are you going to make the cluster fit in the e30 dash opening and not look.....well....like crap?

[Lawson509]

I am using high strength plastic bonding glue and a plastic version of bondo to fit the e46 cluster inside the e30 housing. It is turning out ok. Not quite finished though.

[aaronmjr]

I'm having trouble finding a thread that outlines how you go about retaining OBD2 on a 24V swap. Can someone hold my hand and show me? I've searched the swap forum, the whole forum, and google.

[AndrewK]

^

flyboyx's build thread is one of the better sources of info I've been able to find. (Thanks BTW!!!)

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=129601

However, even that may not be a perfect guide for you as I have noticed some differences in wiring. I'm swapping an S52 from a '97 M3. Whereas flyboyx's swap is from a '00 MZ3. Let's just say I've gotten familiar with the E36 ETM over the past month. You may need to as well. Bottom line is the OBDII swaps are not as well documented. Personally, I like the challenge of figuring some things out on my own.

The mechanical parts of the OBD II swap are not that much different. The major differences lie in the wiring, ECU, and emissions related crap. You will want to find a tuner that can flash the ECU to remove the EWS, air pump, post-cat O2 sensors, fuel tank pressure sensor, carbon canister (not the one under the hood, but in the spare tire well of later E36s), and maybe some other things. The good folks at Bimmerworld are assisting me in this regard. Basically I will end up with what they call a "race tune" ECU because many of the racers that still run OBDII end up removing many of the aforementioned items.

You will also need the fuel pressure regulator and "running losses valve" which is mounted underneath the OBDII cars not on the fuel rail. Although I *think* a tuner could flash this out as well and you could simply run an M/S50 style fuel rail with integral FPR. This is one detail I've still not decided how I will implement.

The only performance upgrade I'm doing for now is M50 intake manifold. Everything else (injectors, MAF, cams, etc) will remain stock. Swap is going into my 1989 Zinno four door. Daily driver and occasional DE instructor car. Aiming to get her up and running by the end of July. I will be sure to post any helpful info.

[luckysnafu]

aaronmjr: My m52 swap is OBD2. The best advice I can give is to get the donor car with the engine if you are retaining OBD2. If you only get a crated engine you will have issues with EWS and the FPR and some other components. You do not need to get the ECU flashed right away if you have the EWS components. I've been running mine for over 5000 miles without being flashed, retaining EWS. I'm not running the rear 2 O2 sensors or the secondary air pump and some other emissions stuff. I'm only throwing a couple of OBD2 codes on my code reader but nothing that affect engine performance, it's all emissions related. I also have an M50 manifold and s52 cams. Will be getting a tune from the racers market for the cams and removing some emissions stuff in the process. If you need any help just let me know.

[aaronmjr]

Thank you both for the replies. The main factor I was looking at was cost (the tuning advantages and disadvantages between OBD1/2 doesn't really matter to me) but it seems that ease of completion with OBD1 might be winning me over. I will definitely let you know if I decide to plow through retaining OBD2 though. Thanks again.

[OdSkE30]

My .02. I converted to OBD1 but found it easier to use the S50 coil pack and valve cover. I'm pretty technicaly "unsavvy" and the S52 stuff needed some modification. Cheaper and easier for the S52 OBD1. As long as you don't mind that it looks like an S50. (S52 block and head, rest is S50). Sorry if this post doesn't belong here.

[Gooch]

If you have someone (TRM) tune out the EWS, secondary air pump, rear O2 sensors, etc...isn't the wiring the same/pretty damn close to OBDI? What else is different wiring wise that needs to be accounted for? I thought the whole purpose of the tune was to get rid of all that extra nonsense that isn't really needed. Am I wrong?

I already have the S50 fuel rail so I don't need the one that's mounted on the e36 frame rail. And I plan on also using an M50 manifold with the required vacuum hoses and CCV and stuff.

[luckysnafu]

If you have someone (TRM) tune out the EWS, secondary air pump, rear O2 sensors, etc...isn't the wiring the same/pretty damn close to OBDI? What else is different wiring wise that needs to be accounted for? I thought the whole purpose of the tune was to get rid of all that extra nonsense that isn't really needed. Am I wrong?

Yes, the wiring is similar and not that complicated at all. I did my own wiring and my car started up right away.

OBDI components will cost you a little extra since you have to get a bunch of sensors, etc. That's one of the reasons I stayed OBDII since it was cheaper and I had all the necessary parts/wiring from my parts car.

[Wanganstyle]

^

You will also need the fuel pressure regulator and "running losses valve" which is mounted underneath the OBDII cars not on the fuel rail. Although I *think* a tuner could flash this out as well and you could simply run an M/S50 style fuel rail with integral FPR. This is one detail I've still not decided how I will implement.

the running losses valve is not really needed; the obd2 fuel rail just has the regulator mounted remote.

you could handle this by changing to M50 fuel rail - easiest; this is the easiest way to bolt on a M50 manifold on a OBD2 e36M3; just remove entire s52 intake manifold mechanical and replace with all M50 intake mechanical including the fuel pressure regulator setup

OR run a E46 intergral remote fuel filter+pressure regulator; there are a few styles. you just need 3.5 bar feed @ the rail, and a return. OR you can even reun returnless- the E46 is returnless. i.e. 2000 325i fuel rail+ a 3.5bar fuel filter+regulator - I know the E39M/e46M 5.0 bar unit is very easily adapted and can take a 3.5bar OEM regulator.

[AndrewK]

you could handle this by changing to M50 fuel rail - easiest; this is the easiest way to bolt on a M50 manifold on a OBD2 e36M3; just remove entire s52 intake manifold mechanical and replace with all M50 intake mechanical including the fuel pressure regulator setup

Thanks for the reply. This is probably the direction I will take. It only makes sense since I'm using an M50 manifold. Although I'm still not sure if the lack of that running losses valve will cause a check engine light. Anybody know? Or for that matter what the purpose of it is?

[Leo_328i]

Just got my M52 into my garage over the weekend and have begun dismantling her to decipher and label all the wiring.

Does anyone have a good source that makes this process easier? Surely this has been done before and documented for an OBD2 motor. If it hasnt..... I will do it.

[luckysnafu]

This thread is the most complete documentation I've found for swapping an m52 into an e30

http://www.e30owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11856

[Wanganstyle]

Thanks for the reply. This is probably the direction I will take. It only makes sense since I'm using an M50 manifold. Although I'm still not sure if the lack of that running losses valve will cause a check engine light. Anybody know? Or for that matter what the purpose of it is?

you could just leave the valve plugged in, or just see what resistance it has and wire in a resistor for it.

OBD 2 is Not as sensitive as you might think, I have passed smog without air pump, with a bunch of silly business deleted :P

if you want tech breakdown on the running losses valve, it should be in the TIS. perhaps you can study and explain it to us lol

[robgoesvroom]

What have you removed from your OBD-II swap that has enabled you to pass smog in CA? I'm going OBD-II and smog is on the back of my mind

you could just leave the valve plugged in, or just see what resistance it has and wire in a resistor for it.

OBD 2 is Not as sensitive as you might think, I have passed smog without air pump, with a bunch of silly business deleted :P

if you want tech breakdown on the running losses valve, it should be in the TIS. perhaps you can study and explain it to us lol