M50 non vanos swap into 318

[SamE30e]

You can keep your tranny and driveshaft.

Use the search button. All of this has been coverd so many times.

Thanks. It's such a pain in the ass searching because everyone does something different and doesn't document it very well. And all the swap sites are down.

[Teaguer]

I guess I should clarify what I want to do. And let you guys tell me if it's possible.

I want to swap the M50 non vanos into a 91 318is using the 318 tranny and stock driveshaft. I don't care what clutch I have to use or if I have to get it machined. I also don't mind making a tranny cross member as long as thats all I have to do, I don't want to make a shift rod, but if I really have to I will.

Yes most of what you want to do will work.
But you WILL need to use an e30 M20 driveshaft and the associated shifter linkage will have to come from a 325 as well.

Done deal. Do it.

[SamE30e]

Is there a reason for it? Does it move the engine back? from the looks of it, the M42 sits further forward then the M20 in my 325 did.

Is the shifter linkage for the 325 shorter?

[Teaguer]

Is there a reason for it? Does it move the engine back? from the looks of it, the M42 sits further forward then the M20 in my 325 did.

Is the shifter linkage for the 325 shorter?

Did you see what the guy in post#14 did to his M42 parts ?? He shortened them to work .

Use the parts i just listed and it all bolts up .

Quit asking questions already .

[SamE30e]

Alright, last question.

Cross member, custom one, m20 or M42?

[e30s52]

CUSTOM!!!!! A member on here makes them.

[SamE30e]

Oh, I can make it, it's not a problem. Who's the member though?

[Teaguer]

Alright, last question.
Cross member, custom one, m20 or M42?

You can use the stock crossmember with the right combination of OE mounts or modify your existing crossmember or fab up a new one.

Heres a modified stock crossmember :



Easy to modify ....just shorten the one side and space up the other.
Same exact mod and angle that youd use with the Getrag 260 when combined with an M50.

[e30_kid89]

Dudeeeeeee

I gave you all the info you need on maX. You're gonna get them mad.........lol

[logger]

If you use your stock 240 trans you do not need to use a custom trans mount!

[jakeb]

The 240 can use the stock 240 trans mount. I used a e36 drive shaft and shortened my 318is shifter linkage.

[logger]

The 240 can use the stock 240 trans mount. I used a e36 drive shaft and shortened my 318is shifter linkage.

Same thing I did but I shortened my drive shaft. ( have the resources though )

[SamE30e]

Dudeeeeeee

I gave you all the info you need on maX. You're gonna get them mad.........lol

I know eh.

[SamE30e]

I switched what i'm using.

I'm using a ZF tranny with the M50

[drulle]

awesome thread... I'm trying to gather all the info for m50 non-vanos swap for my 318i. If its not asking to much, could you make a list of all parts and things needed, also specify which model it came from. I would really appreciate it. Good luck with your build...