Wire Adapter Question

[Nick12908]

Well guys, Thanks for everyones help. Just ordered the TH adapter and the Dakota part. Also picked up new control arms, bushings, brackets, TH eyeballs. I have a lot of work ahead of me. Will be doing all of this in may.
Thanks everyone,
Nick

[SamE30e]

The Treehouse adapter is a fine way to adapt the M/S5x engines to the E30 if you want to minimize getting up to speed on wiring. I wouldn't say it's a waste of money. Treehouse offers phone support with the adapter.

Yea, I was going to say. You're paying for the phone support, which is great, but I didn't really need it that much so I didn't even bother.

[rThor432]

No worries, I'm just stating what worked for me. I like watching the tach needle wrap around into the econometer, so that was part of my reason for using the standard tach as well. It's entertaining.

It'll be cool to see how the Dakota part is in person though. Even if just for future reference.

[Nick12908]

I respect your vote for getting another tach. I think I am going to order this though, just to give it a shot. I can always pick up a used cluster if I need. I will let you guys know how it works later on in May.
Thanks,
Nick

[rThor432]

I've heard of M3 guys using the Dakota digital part before. I'm not familiar with it, but I have seen it mentioned as a good option. I've seen guys overseas use it with the Euro S50 motors because they rev to 8k (unlike US spec motors) and the S14 tachometer is ideal for that.

I'd still vote for swapping in another tach (for a US motor). But the Dakota part would definitely work.

[Nick12908]

Just found this guys.. Tell me what you think? It looks like it should work but I do not want to spend $80 before I do this.
Thanks,
Nick

Edit: I am loosing my mind... http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd127.htm

[rThor432]

Is that you Ryan?! Its Nick. From s14. How have you been? As you can probably tell I found a cheap m50 and decided to go that route because of the budget I have on this project. Thanks for letting me know about the AKG adapter. Yes that was the main reason I wanted to keep the cluster I have now :) Yes I would like to learn how to do that. How have things been at touring? I did not get to make it down there the last Wednesday night and now I am back at school. I am doing the swap my self but I will probably need assistance with some suspension work around the end of may. Thanks for the help.
Nick

Yeah Nick, it's Ryan. Glad you found this site. As was mentioned above, any question you could have about the swap has been answered at some point on this board. This site is great for 24 valve swap knowledge, among other things.

I'll show you, no problem. Things have been good at work. Just more cars. Hopefully I'll be able to talk you into turboing the M50. Your car deserves that. Or are you just going to run it as-is until you find a proper ///M motor that you can swap in?

No worries, we can cover anything that you dont want to do on jackstands in the driveway.

Cheers Nick,

Ryan

[Nick12908]

Is that you Ryan?! Its Nick. From s14. How have you been? As you can probably tell I found a cheap m50 and decided to go that route because of the budget I have on this project. Thanks for letting me know about the AKG adapter. Yes that was the main reason I wanted to keep the cluster I have now :) Yes I would like to learn how to do that. How have things been at touring? I did not get to make it down there the last Wednesday night and now I am back at school. I am doing the swap my self but I will probably need assistance with some suspension work around the end of may. Thanks for the help.
Nick

[rThor432]

That does make a lot of sense. One question though, why is the TreeHouse adapter almost twice the price of the AKG adapter? Is the AKG not a full plug & play system? Cool, thanks. If I cant find a way to fix my cluster I will suffice with high RPM readings for a little time & look for a used regular e30 cluster.

Thanks,
Nick

The Treehouse adapter is more expensive because it is a very nicely built adapter that uses all new parts. The AKG adapter is a bit more "hacked". MR325, the admin, bought one and did a review on it. His opinion of it was low. I've seen the Treehouse adapter in person and it is very well built. They both work, but one is nicer.

I'm sure I've got a spare tachometer that you can pop into your cluster. Dont give up the ///M logo and red needles. You'll just have to sharpie the tach needle red to match. I'll show you how to swap it in. It's good to know how to take a cluster apart and put it back together.

Ryan

[Nick12908]

There are at least 4 of us that come to mind in the immediate Charlotte area.

The Treehouse adapter is an excellent piece. No dicking around with learning to properly wire up the connector or troubleshoot when something doesnt work. I'd highly recommend it if you dont have much electrical knowledge, although it isnt particularly hard to put together.

If I did it again, I'd spend the money for their adapter. It would have been worth it for the fact that it is plug and play. I had to go back into the harness to troubleshoot a few wires and I'd just prefer not to have the hassle of doing that. It's more fun to drive the car than to work on it.

You can just swap a tachometer from a 6-cylinder E30 into the M3 cluster. That would solve the tach reading problem.

That does make a lot of sense. One question though, why is the TreeHouse adapter almost twice the price of the AKG adapter? Is the AKG not a full plug & play system? Cool, thanks. If I cant find a way to fix my cluster I will suffice with high RPM readings for a little time & look for a used regular e30 cluster.

Thanks,
Nick

Thanks,
Nick

[Nick12908]

I also love problem solving in order to save money. But on my scale of car restoration abilities, anything concerning electrical items are defiantly at the bottom. Yes, without this website & a few others I would not be nearly as far into this as I am, probably would have not considered a 24v swap. So the AKG diagrams are not 100% accurate? Inaccurate enough that someone with my electrical abilities would not be able to finish? I think I have scared my self out of things like this, maybe its time for me to step it up and just do it my self. Where would I shop for all the parts needed to make my own harness? Also the circuit board to avoid the RPM issue with my cluster. Again, thanks for all of your help everyone.

Nick

[rThor432]

There are a few guys in NC that have done the swap, too.

There are at least 4 of us that come to mind in the immediate Charlotte area.

The Treehouse adapter is an excellent piece. No dicking around with learning to properly wire up the connector or troubleshoot when something doesnt work. I'd highly recommend it if you dont have much electrical knowledge, although it isnt particularly hard to put together.

If I did it again, I'd spend the money for their adapter. It would have been worth it for the fact that it is plug and play. I had to go back into the harness to troubleshoot a few wires and I'd just prefer not to have the hassle of doing that. It's more fun to drive the car than to work on it.

You can just swap a tachometer from a 6-cylinder E30 into the M3 cluster. That would solve the tach reading problem.

[FredK]

The Treehouse adapter is a fine way to adapt the M/S5x engines to the E30 if you want to minimize getting up to speed on wiring. I wouldn't say it's a waste of money. Treehouse offers phone support with the adapter.

The AKG diagrams aren't 100% accurate.

For me, I like problem solving, especially if it means saving money. Even in parts, the Treehouse adapter costs a fair bit of money, as they use brand new pins and connector shells. If you make your own, you'll definitely want to use a good ratcheting crimp tool to maximize reliability.

In my opinion, you should be able to get your swap running solely with the information contained on this board. Should an issue arise, you should be able to work things out by bouncing ideas / questions off people, but believe me, nearly every question has already been answered before. There are a few guys in NC that have done the swap, too.

[SamE30e]

The treehouse adaptor is a waste of money. AKG has diagrams online, cut your X20 off your E36 harness, cut your C101 off your E30 harness, and splice them together using the diagrams.

[Nick12908]

I see. Thank you. Its a shame the Treehouse Adapter is so much $$$. Would the DIY for replicating the treehouse be the same for me? Also, do you have a link on that circuit board or a DIY? Thanks for all of everyones time.

Nick