S54 swap questions and concerns

[WannaBe30]

I understand how the cold can get to Ya. Being from tx any semi cold day is a no no for working on cars.

I'm going booster less but stepping up the brakes


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[jink0619]

So you have clearance to install the transmission and headers with the motor
In place?

With motor in, yes I have pretty good clearance to install trans and headers just if I had to do it over, would have just disconnected the steering knuckle instead but the freezing cold kept me from thinking straight that night.

Also are you going to be reusing that booster?

Man I wish I had an m3!!!
Where are you located jink?


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That booster won't clear so I'll probaly try a 735i booster if that fails then hydro boost, I definitely don't want to go booster delete. I live in Cantonsville MD but should be moving to Altanta sometime in the summer.

[WannaBe30]

Also are you going to be reusing that booster?

Man I wish I had an m3!!!
Where are you located jink?


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[WannaBe30]

I'll be going after this same thing more than likely on Thursday.

Why didn't you just disconnect the steering linkage instead of the whole transmission?


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[Funboy]

S54 Transplant

So you have clearance to install the transmission and headers with the motor
In place?

[jink0619]

its like trying to fit a hammerhead shark in head first and trying to get both sides to clear and tuck under and behind the steering rack. As of now it sits nicely about an inch from subframe and clears steering shalf pretty well. I'll try to snap a pic for u.

[dmjensen]

Wouldn't mind seeing the fitment of the subframe and sump set up from the underside.

How close is the pan to the steering shaft?

[jink0619]

And...motor finally in! Bolted trans and headers up to drop motor in and issue was I couldn't get the custom oil pan to clear the steering linkage, no matter much tilt or how I moved the motor around, it will not comply. So had to remove trans and headers then with some serious wiggling, it finally slid in place and without any damage.

[jink0619]

ArcAsylum subframe bolted up nicely, excuse the dirty bay, my power washer broke.

[jink0619]

I used an Ebay radiator hose temperature gauge adapter. I cut my upper radiator hose and slipped one of these in, and drilled and tapped a hole for the stock E30 temperature sender. It's kind of ghetto, but it works.

I used a regular E36 trans cover plate. Works perfectly.

I used an electric fan. I used a E30 coolant reservoir. I used an aftermarket oil cooler with AN fittings. The stock M3 oil cooler has a fairly small capacity. It's certainly better than no cooler, but the E46 piece is not known to have a great thermal capacity either.

Thank you for your response, I will go with the adapter for temp sensor like u did cause would hate to drill hole in T-Stat housing. For the oil cooler, I also have one from an Acura TSX, it's flat like the ones that come on the e90/e92 335i, might see if it will work.

Tyler custom subframe coming in tomr so I'll have that installed and hopefully drop motor in if weather permits. Will update with pics

[FredK]

It would cost more to delete it and run standalone. Preemptively addressing its issues will run around an extra 300.

[nando]

Why would you want to? You can't make more power without it.

[JETBLKE30]

anyone running vanos delete? Havn't started on my build yet but this is one thing I am contemplating on. From what I heard you lose low end power. Anyone that can help :)

[FredK]

Questions for the experienced:

For the e30 temp gauge, where do I put the e30 temp sensor?

Which trans cover plate do I use? The thin metal plate that goes between the trans and engine*

What are my clutch and fan options that would fit?

I have both e30m3 and e46m3 coolant resorvior which is better to use?

I have both e30m3 and e46m3 oil cooler which is better to use?

Thanks in advance

I used an Ebay radiator hose temperature gauge adapter. I cut my upper radiator hose and slipped one of these in, and drilled and tapped a hole for the stock E30 temperature sender. It's kind of ghetto, but it works.

I used a regular E36 trans cover plate. Works perfectly.

I used an electric fan. I used a E30 coolant reservoir. I used an aftermarket oil cooler with AN fittings. The stock M3 oil cooler has a fairly small capacity. It's certainly better than no cooler, but the E46 piece is not known to have a great thermal capacity either.

[jink0619]

Got this today, thanks Andrew :)