New S54 swap thread. And a few questions.

[Staszek]

So I finally purchased the E30 that I have wanted to do an engine swap and complete restore on for years. The original plan was for an S52/5speed, five lug new suspension, full interior restore, new leather, new sound, carpet, every button replaced etc. Then fully reworked exterior with Mtech II kit and repaint.

Anyway after reading (I should never read lol) I decided to go with the S54/6speed combo.

So here is where I am today.

1990 325is-check
2002 S54/6speed trans-check
Vader front seats-check
New buttons, carpet (black :) ), sound, moldings etc-check
Driveshaft and Diff-check

Now its time to get the rest of the parts and I want to make sure I am not missing anything, and also some help with some things I am on the fence on.

Car-1990 325is Alpine white/Black currently an auto-Have
Engine- 02 98k S54 I plan on doing bearings and I would like to update vanos, plugs, all the seals etc. Anything else?-Have
Trans-GT420G-Have
Differential-3.73-Have
Driveshaft-E36 M3 Automatic driveshaft-Have
Brakes-Doing rogengineer 5 lug and upgrading to E46 m3 brakes. Undecided if I am going to use a 2002 booster or do the Gargastic triple MC pedal kit, problem is I have an airbag car so that creates problems.
ECU-Flashed by Nando
Harness-Z3m harness and full harness adapter from Andrew
Subframe and Pan-Acrasylum
Gas pedal-E46 M3
Suspension-H&R springs, Koni SA, upgraded sways with front links moved to the strut housing

Where I need help:
Exhaust-Still open on this, love suggestions, I dont like loud exhausts, I love my E93 M3 exhaust, its quiet when sitting and cruising but WOT it sounds awsome. I was thinking either Ebay headers to not sure what on the other end. I may go with Arcasylum there as well but I dont know what those sound like with the S54.
Clutch pedal-Have to research this since the car is an auto now.
Cooling-Love to do a new radiator with built in reservoir and an electric fan. I have seen a few options, still researching but would take suggestions.
Mounts-I need to talk to Arc about this I am not sure which way to go yet.

Anyway, reading all the threads here have been extremely helpful and have gotten me fairly far but I know I have a ways to go. Looking forward to sharing my progress as I go:D

[jink0619]

If ur using the 6spd I've heard a 373 diff mates very well with it.

[Staszek]

If ur using the 6spd I've heard a 373 diff mates very well with it.

Thanks jink, thats an option as well. I know stock the S54 has a 3.46. I also know some people who run 4.10 but thats a bit aggressive for me.

3.73 may be a good option.

[superleggeram3]

Thanks jink, thats an option as well. I know stock the S54 has a 3.46. I also know some people who run 4.10 but thats a bit aggressive for me.

3.73 may be a good option.

I was under the impression that the E46 ran a 3.62 ratio diff on the 6 speed ?

[Jb325is]

Your plan looks pretty good so far. I used e36 328i mount arms, with condor swap poly mounts.

For exhaust, I think I am going to try to get an aftermarket e46 m3 section 1 (probably Status gruppe) and modify it from there. I built my merge collector too close to the header, and lost a lot of torque with the single 3.5" from there.

[FredK]

Airbag cars are pretty easy to do a manual conversion.

You merely need to get a manual clutch and brake pedal and upper pivot bolt.

That takes care of the physical mounting of the pedals. You will, of course, need to get a clutch master cylinder, master cylinder barb fitting, some master cylinder braided supply hose, and two firewall grommets and a master cylinder output hose.

There's some wiring you'll need to take care of where the auto shifter used to reside, and you'll have to add a shifter bushing in the transmission tunnel.

There are a few manual swap threads on r3v that will have pictures and more details on what you need to do.

[Jb325is]

might as well just get the AKG shifter or similar, and omit le bitch clip

[Staszek]

might as well just get the AKG shifter or similar, and omit le bitch clip

Thats a good idea. I probably will.

Hmm if i can make the Gargastic set up work it will come with the pedals and the MCs I need.

Little update, picked up an E36 M3 Auto driveshaft and 3.73 differential today, so drive train is almost done!

[Staszek]

I was thinking about exhausts. I heard a few people on here have done the E36 M3 exhaust (Im in the quieter exhaust camp), but what about the E46 ZHP Exhaust.

I had this exhaust on my E46 back in the day and I loved it, perfect sound for me.

I found this clip its not the ZHP exhaust, but they are only slightly different externally from the regular E46 exhaust, it seems to fit and sound good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJckngSGZ98

If I could go the ZHP route again I would do it.