I guess it's that time for a 24v swap thread

[SamE30e]

Hey guys

I just picked up my Non-Vanos M50 from a 92 325i auto. Which is a downside because it's an auto. It's going in my 91 318is which I just pulled the engine and cleaned the bay.

Engine bay: I'm using the 325ix booster and Master cylinder with M50 mounting arms and 535i mounts.

Exhaust: I'm going to have ebay long tube headers staying dual 2.25 all the way back to 2 cats, then to a Magnaflow 14385 muffler.

Electronics: I have a auto harness which I guess is a downside and makes more work for me but will make no difference in the end.

Transmission: I'm using the G240 with a M20 single mass flywheel, lightened with a kevlar disk and stock pressure plate. I have a E36 325i shift carrier and rod with a E36 5spd drive shaft and E30 CSB installed backwards. I'm also using the G260 stock cross member and stock mounts.





The extra connector for the ESM (Auto tranny) is the one with the white ring I believe



The auto tranny ECU plug.



So far on order I have:
Headers
Oil pan gasket
Valve cover gasket
Oil filter
Spark plugs
Rear main seal
Intake manifold gasket

Theres more i'm sure but that's all I got for now.

I'll keep you guys updated, I need to put this thing on the stand so I can tear it down some more.

I still need an oil pan, I think I got a hold of one so we're good.
Once I get everything sorted out i'll make a big master parts list. Since there isn't a confirmed one for a M50 into a 318 using the G240. I know i'm missing stuff now, I'll add it later as it pops into my head.
Cheers

Sam

[RedHoodRidah]

I have a E36 325i shift carrier and rod with a E36 5spd drive shaft and E30 CSB installed backwards.

Is it 100% that the e36 shift carrier and rod fit with no modification?

Also what do you mean the e30 csb installed backwards?

[SamE30e]

It's weird, I've heard it works for some, doesn't for others. The other alterative is to shorten the M42 carrier.

And You use a E30 325i 5spd CSB backwards, flip it around. If you've seen one out of the car you'll notice it's offset a bit.

[rThor432]

I still dont quite understand why the G240 drive-shaft wont work with the G240 transmission. I've heard that it doesnt work, but I dont get it. I'd almost skip the mixing and matching of components and use a G260 with the matching drive-shaft. But obviously, that's up to you.

The plug with less pins in it is the auto trans plug. Looks like it is in fact the one with the white ring. All of the auto-trans wiring can be removed easily if you want. My harness came from a VANOS auto car. I removed all of the automagic wiring in my living room during a Seinfeld marathon.

Good luck with the swap, have fun.

[SamE30e]

The reason the G240 shaft doesn't work is because it's longer then the 6 cylinder. If you've seen the engine bay of a M42, the engine sit's further forward then a M20. You can tell by being able to see the top trans bolts. If you used the G240 shaft the front engine mounts wouldn't line up.

And I'm dreading this auto harness thing. Do you have to connect any wires you cut?

[dude8383]

And I'm dreading this auto harness thing. Do you have to connect any wires you cut?

nope.

[WADE30]

I too am working on my M50 swap into my E30 and the motor had an auto trans, the harness looks a little confusing to me as well. Thor Could you elaborate on what needs to be removed or cut off? Thanks!

[SamE30e]

I'm guessing it's just removing all the wires that come off the auto plug. But I don't want to guess.

[rThor432]

Yeah, you are right about the shaft. I've got an M42 car as well, and I've seen that the top bolts are accessible. Oh well..

As far as the wiring goes, let me think.. I removed the top cover first. Then I cut the sheath that retains the auto trans harness (to make the wires accessible). I cut the wires one-by-one where the trans harness contects to the EGS unit. As I cut each one I pulled it back through the harness to see where it goes. If I remember right, most of the wires run through to the round connector for the trans. Some of them run into common power or ground locations. In that case I just snipped them as close to the common point as I could. Some of the common points will be used only by the EGS system. I think I removed two or three before the process was over. I belive that two of the wires from the EGS connector run into the DME connector and are input/output signals to/from the DME. They are unnecessary, so dont feel bad about clipping them. Also, you will find a couple of wires that run out to a round plug with a white face. That plug is unnecessary as well.

Also, I remember that a member had the Zionsville Autosport cd auto harness removal section copied and hosted on their own site. I saw it in the past month or so, but cant seem to find it now. That definitely makes it a super easy step-by-step process.

All in all it is a simple process, just go at it with a level head. If I could get a decent working camera that would load pictures to the computer, I'd snap a photo of the wires I removed which are living in a bag in my box at work. It's handy to have all of that extra wire. I really wish I knew what happened to my last two decent cameras.

[SamE30e]

I think there is 1 wire you have to connect to a switched 12v.

[rThor432]

One wire from what? I didnt use anything associated with the EGS harness on my swap and it works just fine. But different year/models are unique. Maybe you retain something with the non-VANOS.

[SpecM]

at least you know the engine has had an easier life and not over-revd with the auto

[SamE30e]

at least you know the engine has had an easier life and not over-revd with the auto

Yea, which is why I don't really care for not knowing the km on the engine. I know it had good compression when it was pulled. I put the engine on the stand today and am going to tear it down tonight when I get back from class.

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

all i did was unplug the computer for the auto (which you already don't have) and then cover up the two plugs. that's all that needs to be done. you can remove wires but that's just for looks I'm going to do that another day. (I just wanted to get mine working)

[318isbmw]

Just to let you know, the only issue w/ the auto harness is that its fat. I didn't have to cut anything out of it, thats just if you want to hide better. Might wanna add to your list a euro 323 tob since your using the 240 w/ the m20 clutch.