Andrew's DIY Guide for S54 Wiring Adapter Harnesses

[R3Z3N]

Received my adapter. As I believe all who have theirs have stated, impeccable work and instructions.

[grinchxvx]

Can someone clear up how exactly the m5x harness would plug in and work? Since I have a late model e30 the body to Engine harness is the circle c101 correct? The e36 body to engine is also circle but is a different layout and size. So this basically just makes the two different sized circle connectors work together without splicing or anything? Would the car be up and running wiring wise with this adapter? I'm going to up the boost on my stock m20 and if it goes boom I might just 24v swap and boost it again. Thanks in advance for helping the noob


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Andrew325is]

Hey grinchxvx,

Yes, that's correct. The M5x adapter for the E30 joins the circular X20 and C101 connectors. It may also include other items depending on your build such as connectors for various sensors.

Andrew

[grinchxvx]

Hey grinchxvx,

Yes, that's correct. The M5x adapter for the E30 joins the circular X20 and C101 connectors. It may also include other items depending on your build such as connectors for various sensors.

Andrew

Anything else needed if I wanted to go obd2?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Andrew325is]

Anything else needed if I wanted to go obd2?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, the wiring is just a little different, so let me know which one you need.

[cek]

Will you help me make an adapter for a S54 E28 swap?

I'd be happy to be your guinea pig. I've done an M30B35 swap before and am comfortable creating my own adapter for my build, but I'd rather do it in a way that would benefit others...I have no interest in fabricating and selling adapters myself.

[Andrew325is]

Will you help me make an adapter for a S54 E28 swap?

I'd be happy to be your guinea pig. I've done an M30B35 swap before and am comfortable creating my own adapter for my build, but I'd rather do it in a way that would benefit others...I have no interest in fabricating and selling adapters myself.

The parts to make the square E28 C101 connector are NLA, and I don't have any old ones left so you'd need to re-use your old one or cut another one off a junk'd car. I've made a few E28 S54 adapters. The wiring is similar to an older E30. So you could either send me your C101 pigtail or I can just label those wires for you to hook up yourself, in which case I'd give you a $25 discount.

[cek]

Do you have z3m harnesses? Thanks!

[Andrew325is]

Do you have z3m harnesses? Thanks!

No, just order one from your preferred BMW dealer.

[Qtaakz]

Hello !

Can you make a adapter for a S54 Swap?
The s54 engine will get in a e46 328 coupe.

Can you PM me for details?:)

[perryman]

Very close to buying an S54 for my OBD2 e36 and starting this swap. Was wondering if someone could clarify a couple things.

I'm under the impression that I would be completely removing my e36 DME and using the S54 DME in it's place. So essentially, its: S54 DME -> S54 engine harness -> Andrew's loom -> e36 chassis harness

Would that be the end of the wiring? Why does RK offer a "tuned" S54 DME for a whopping $1300? Is that something I need and should be factored into the cost of this swap?

I could be totally wrong with all of this, hence my request for clarification. For now, I just want a properly running STOCK S54 in my e36, like it came from the factory with it. Not looking for standalone setups, schrick cams, 340whp, and all that jazz.

Any help appreciated,

Matt

[328ijunkie]

Very close to buying an S54 for my OBD2 e36 and starting this swap. Was wondering if someone could clarify a couple things.

I'm under the impression that I would be completely removing my e36 DME and using the S54 DME in it's place. So essentially, its: S54 DME -> S54 engine harness -> Andrew's loom -> e36 chassis harness

Would that be the end of the wiring? Why does RK offer a "tuned" S54 DME for a whopping $1300? Is that something I need and should be factored into the cost of this swap?

I could be totally wrong with all of this, hence my request for clarification. For now, I just want a properly running STOCK S54 in my e36, like it came from the factory with it. Not looking for standalone setups, schrick cams, 340whp, and all that jazz.

Any help appreciated,

Matt

Basically but You'll need a tune either way. Ours are significantly less than that

[Bimmerman325i]

Very close to buying an S54 for my OBD2 e36 and starting this swap. Was wondering if someone could clarify a couple things.

I'm under the impression that I would be completely removing my e36 DME and using the S54 DME in it's place. So essentially, its: S54 DME -> S54 engine harness -> Andrew's loom -> e36 chassis harness

Would that be the end of the wiring? Why does RK offer a "tuned" S54 DME for a whopping $1300? Is that something I need and should be factored into the cost of this swap?

I could be totally wrong with all of this, hence my request for clarification. For now, I just want a properly running STOCK S54 in my e36, like it came from the factory with it. Not looking for standalone setups, schrick cams, 340whp, and all that jazz.

Any help appreciated,

Matt

I can help-- I did exactly this!

Depending on how 'factory' you're going for, you won't need a tune. The only coding that was needed on my obd1->obd2 E36 s54 was EWS delete because I just didn't want to wire the module in. Otherwise it's running unmodified ~2004 M3 software. I can put you in touch with a friend who coded up my and other local S54/E36s if you're interested (most of which were not as crazy of builds as mine, so could be more applicable to you). He's a member here but isn't all that active on the forums anymore.

I wrote up what I did to have a 'factory' S54 E36 here: build thread. My goal with the swap was for an S54 E36 that was like factory with no shortcuts, and Andrew's harness was a huge help in that regard. I was able to build off of it rather than replicate it, which was a massive help. The swap even passed California's smog certification process because it works like it came from the factory with all of the needed emissions and electronic components.

To do that though, I installed all the emissions components, dsc, and cluster, which is most of what the standalone conversions delete. You definitely don't have to go to the same extent as I did for it to work, it's just a balance of coding out things vs wiring/installing things. Protip on parts: buy all the Z3M S54 bits. Engine harness, air filter box, intake elbow, cluster, driver's side engine mount, dipstick. They're all available new too if budget allows. They bolt right in to an E36/S54 engine bay and fit super cleanly.

Otherwise you're correct. Appropriately coded S54 DME + OEM harness (recommend Z3M) + Andrew's harness + E36 chassis harness is all you truly need to get it running.

[M3avionicstech]

email sent this is awsome stuff!

[Andrew325is]

For 2016, higher quality construction featuring fully integrated water resistant fuse holders and no soldered connections.