Starting my M54B30 swap...

[Elysian]

Don't feel bad about starting with a shitty e30. I built mine on an 84 frame and I couldn't have been happier.

[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/jrdeamicis/e30start.jpg[/MG]
[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/jrdeamicis/washed.jpg[/MG]

Oh I don't feel bad, I got the right shell for my plans, I just want to keep the shit flinging I got in my first thread on this forum to a minimum.

[nrubenstein]

You could also get the 3.0 litre intake. M50 will flow better than both but you'll leave a lot on the table without DISA unless you live over 4000 rpm.

It's a race car. I live over 4K, and the M50 manifold cleans up the engine bay a fair bit when you've deleted the emissions crap.

[jrdeamicis]

Don't feel bad about starting with a shitty e30. I built mine on an 84 frame and I couldn't have been happier.

[Elysian]

Worked on the 330 some today, the engine is almost ready to come out. Need to give it another once over, but I believe the only things connected right now is fuel and the trans stuff/driveshaft. Tomorrow if I have a chance to work on it in the morning it might be fully ready.

I'm also interested in possibly, in the future, converting it to OBD I, but I'm not really for sure right now.

[hoveringuy]

That basically answers my curiousity too. So there's 2 (or more?) different DISA manifolds?

Yes, the 2.5 litre has a smaller DISA manifold and it's possible to switch to a 3.0 litre manifold.

Where it gets interesting is that all N52's are 3.0 liters. Even the 323 has a 3.0, but the motor is purposely choked with restrictive tuning and a smaller intake.

[lennon]

That basically answers my curiousity too. So there's 2 (or more?) different DISA manifolds?

[hoveringuy]

My 323i puts down 184rwhp. :)

Cams, headers, 3" exhaust, intake. It made power a lot more easily than I expected. My next plan is to get an M50 manifold on it.

You could also get the 3.0 litre intake. M50 will flow better than both but you'll leave a lot on the table without DISA unless you live over 4000 rpm.

[lennon]

My 323i puts down 184rwhp. :)

Cams, headers, 3" exhaust, intake. It made power a lot more easily than I expected. My next plan is to get an M50 manifold on it.

your 323i has the DISA or whatever variable intake right? i take it that since you want to switch, those manifolds are still considered restrictive compared to the obd1?

[nrubenstein]

323ci would be M52TU, which doesn't make much power at all. I'll be running my M54B30 with headers, it dyno'd at 207rwhp(around 244 crank), can't remember what torque was, I don't have my dyno sheet anymore :(

My 323i puts down 184rwhp. :)

Cams, headers, 3" exhaust, intake. It made power a lot more easily than I expected. My next plan is to get an M50 manifold on it.

[daniel]

I love the M54B30. It was awesome when I drove hoveringuy's car, and it is currently awesome in my E39 530i. The flat torque curve rocks.

Good luck on your project!

[Elysian]

Started pulling apart the 330, I'm going to go pretty basic on this, only use what's necessary to run the engine by itself. Radiator is out, expansion tank, and the ac condensor is disconnected. Need to disconnect the power steering hoses and work on pulling the wiring harness. I'm also considering building a sheet metal dash, I'm not super interested in making this car a daily, I'd like to build a cage, a dash, and patch up the sunroof hole. Also considering lexan for the triangle windows and rear windshield.

[Elysian]

after consulting with hoveringuy, I've decided to use my getrag 260 in the swap.

[Elysian]

iknow that, but as far as little things like sensors ans stuff.

Hoveringuy has run an M54 on M50 electronics plus a custom dual vanos board, might look in that direction. I wouldn't know anything about running an M54 on M52TU stuff, if that's what you're asking.

[bataangpinoy]

iknow that, but as far as little things like sensors ans stuff.

[Elysian]

awesome. a sleeper! what does the m54 make power/tq wise? i have acess to a 323ci that i can pull stuff off of if this isnt too crazy(as far as wiring goes)

323ci would be M52TU, which doesn't make much power at all. I'll be running my M54B30 with headers, it dyno'd at 207rwhp(around 244 crank), can't remember what torque was, I don't have my dyno sheet anymore :(