Cool Bracket Pictures:
Brake Booster:
I was just planning on beating the death out of the stock booster, if that doesn't work, I'll probably see if I can find an IX booster.
Rear Differential:
I am using the 4.10 open diff (for right now I guess)
Transmission:
I am using a later model G260
Alternator:
FCP shipped an E46 alt, not an E36 alt, so I used that. The B+ line goes to battery (duh) and I believe the blue wire of the E36 harness goes to the outer-most pin of the 3-pin (1 pin is not there) connector. Waiting to check when the car is on/running that this is the case.
Wiring Harness:
I paid a little over $400 USD to have my E36/M52 harness turned into a PnP E30 with M52 harness. This cost also included the flashing of the ECU to remove the following:
Engine - Mounting:
I ordered E24 635CSi motor mounts available from ECS Tuning.
Engine - Oil Pan:
I was able to find an E34 M50 oil pan and sump. An M50 E36 pan will not work.
Note, I removed the windage tray and did not reinstall. I also just bent the old sump mounting point back and forth until it came off.
Engine - Dipstick Tube:
(custom bracket)
I had to order a new dipstick guide tube and dipstick as I was not able to find one on eBay or similar. Do not forget a new dipstick O-ring.
I am still waiting to receive the package before installing.
Dipstick P/N: 11431720875 ($22.84 as of writing)
Dipstick Guide Tube P/N: 11431738169 ($62.99 as of writing)
Engine - PCV/CCV:
I opted to not use the E36 M52 CCV setup, instead I ran with the M50 PCV kit from FCP Euro
Engine - Exhaust:
I have the down tubes from an E36 M3 that I plan to cut off and merge with my E30 exhaust. Waiting to get the motor in to confirm fitment.
Stock E30 exhaust will not fit/work. The flanges are rotated differently and the angle is just all wrong. Plus, the exhaust-side of the E30 is what holds the O2 sensor, while the O2 sensors are in the manifold on the M/S52.
Engine - Intake Manifold:
I have an M50 manifold ready to go on, just waiting for my wiring harness first so I can run the harness on the block first. I do not plan to run a CCV, but I think I will retain the bracket for mounting the ICV. Either that, or just make a simple one.
Without the CCV and SAP, the M50 manifold swap is really simple. You can run the stock M50 vacuum tubing to the ICV. Still figuring out where to hook up the FPR. I will post pictures on how I've done my manifold swap when I have completed it.
Engine - Flywheel:
Everything I read said I couldn't use an E30 flywheel without modification to the flywheel or the oil pump bolts, but after I removed my flywheel from the M20, I just did not see where the oil pump bolts would hit the flywheel. Maybe mine is unique?
The oil pump bolts are near flush to the mounting surface of the flywheel, and the M20 flywheel I have has an inset for those bolts to sit in. Additionally, I have a small spacer plate pulled from the M20 that will also ensure clearance. I guess we will see?
Transmission - Mounting:
I don't have a concrete plan for this yet, but I have access to metal and a welder. Looks like some flat iron with some angle iron welded on top might just suffice.
A/C Hoses:
I plan to run A/C, so I ordered these splices:
I found these on another M52 swap thread I cannot find, but I haven't had a chance to pull the lines and get the lines remade.
Steering Rack:
I got an E36 steering rack from a donor vehicle I plan to swap. Waiting on some copper seals to arrive before finishing the swap. I also ordered the Garagistic E36 rack kit since I'm lazy.
Garagistic instructions
NOTE: I had to run different bolts than were included in the kit on my E30 knuckle. The torx head bolt would not clear the knuckle at all. Other than that, the install went smoothly.
Brake Booster:
I was just planning on beating the death out of the stock booster, if that doesn't work, I'll probably see if I can find an IX booster.
Rear Differential:
I am using the 4.10 open diff (for right now I guess)
Transmission:
I am using a later model G260
Alternator:
FCP shipped an E46 alt, not an E36 alt, so I used that. The B+ line goes to battery (duh) and I believe the blue wire of the E36 harness goes to the outer-most pin of the 3-pin (1 pin is not there) connector. Waiting to check when the car is on/running that this is the case.
Wiring Harness:
I paid a little over $400 USD to have my E36/M52 harness turned into a PnP E30 with M52 harness. This cost also included the flashing of the ECU to remove the following:
- SAP
- EWS
- Rear O2
- Muffler Flap
- Fuel Tank Sensor
Engine - Mounting:
I ordered E24 635CSi motor mounts available from ECS Tuning.
Engine - Oil Pan:
I was able to find an E34 M50 oil pan and sump. An M50 E36 pan will not work.
Note, I removed the windage tray and did not reinstall. I also just bent the old sump mounting point back and forth until it came off.
Engine - Dipstick Tube:
(custom bracket)
I had to order a new dipstick guide tube and dipstick as I was not able to find one on eBay or similar. Do not forget a new dipstick O-ring.
I am still waiting to receive the package before installing.
Dipstick P/N: 11431720875 ($22.84 as of writing)
Dipstick Guide Tube P/N: 11431738169 ($62.99 as of writing)
Engine - PCV/CCV:
I opted to not use the E36 M52 CCV setup, instead I ran with the M50 PCV kit from FCP Euro
Engine - Exhaust:
I have the down tubes from an E36 M3 that I plan to cut off and merge with my E30 exhaust. Waiting to get the motor in to confirm fitment.
Stock E30 exhaust will not fit/work. The flanges are rotated differently and the angle is just all wrong. Plus, the exhaust-side of the E30 is what holds the O2 sensor, while the O2 sensors are in the manifold on the M/S52.
Engine - Intake Manifold:
I have an M50 manifold ready to go on, just waiting for my wiring harness first so I can run the harness on the block first. I do not plan to run a CCV, but I think I will retain the bracket for mounting the ICV. Either that, or just make a simple one.
Without the CCV and SAP, the M50 manifold swap is really simple. You can run the stock M50 vacuum tubing to the ICV. Still figuring out where to hook up the FPR. I will post pictures on how I've done my manifold swap when I have completed it.
Engine - Flywheel:
Everything I read said I couldn't use an E30 flywheel without modification to the flywheel or the oil pump bolts, but after I removed my flywheel from the M20, I just did not see where the oil pump bolts would hit the flywheel. Maybe mine is unique?
The oil pump bolts are near flush to the mounting surface of the flywheel, and the M20 flywheel I have has an inset for those bolts to sit in. Additionally, I have a small spacer plate pulled from the M20 that will also ensure clearance. I guess we will see?
Transmission - Mounting:
I don't have a concrete plan for this yet, but I have access to metal and a welder. Looks like some flat iron with some angle iron welded on top might just suffice.
A/C Hoses:
I plan to run A/C, so I ordered these splices:
I found these on another M52 swap thread I cannot find, but I haven't had a chance to pull the lines and get the lines remade.
Steering Rack:
I got an E36 steering rack from a donor vehicle I plan to swap. Waiting on some copper seals to arrive before finishing the swap. I also ordered the Garagistic E36 rack kit since I'm lazy.
Garagistic instructions
NOTE: I had to run different bolts than were included in the kit on my E30 knuckle. The torx head bolt would not clear the knuckle at all. Other than that, the install went smoothly.
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