The m54b30 E30 build (NL)

[maxpostma]

I figured out the fuel pump setup and the e30 coolant sensor question, but if somebody knows answers to the other questions, that would be great.

Haven't properly updated in quiet a while. But that's mainly because I was too lazy to update this thread.

lets start with the boring stuff:

I'm probably the only one that is doing this but the center support bearing was under a bit of stress when mounted, so I made 1 out of 2:
(the mounting slot is a bit longer)


All mounted up, you can see that I needed the extra room:


I saw somebody use the factory airbox, and that's why I stated that I was going to use the factory unit. Unfortunately the m54 air intake valve location is placed lower than the m50/m52. Long story short: Too narrow, no airbox just a plain open air filter, but with a nice pie cut tig welded bend:




Also connected all the fuel lines to the really ugly fuel filter/pressure regulator, (Does somebody know a nice in line fuel regulator 3.5 Bar???)(51psi)


And ofcourse, there was another thing that didn't fit. Made a bracket for the steering reservoir:



Now it's time for the fun stuff: Wiring

I didn't think it was too bad, just researching a lot, removing a lot and trying to keep everything untangled and labled.
I will spare you all the details, but here is the spaghetti mounted in the car:


A while ago I followed the EWS delete how to, not knowing if it worked. I was really exited to try to start it.
The first attempt was not very succesfull. The car was all wired up and connected to the battery, I turned to key to ignition and all of the sudden it started to smoke really bad. Turned out that you shouldn't wire the ECU ABS cable to the c101 plug if your car is European and not equipt with ABS. Because you basicly connect a ground and a positive wire together.

After figuring this out it was time for the second attempt.
This is the first start of the m54b30 in the e30 harness. I was suprised on how easlily it started: VIDEO



Really cool to finally hear the engine, now I'll just need to tidy up all the wiring, and all the other things.
A car has really a lot of parts

[maxpostma]

I'm currently busy with the wiring harness.

I think that I've figured out most of the wires.
But I've the folllowing questions, which aren't meantioned in the m54 e30 swap thread:

-Is it possible to just connect pin 10 from x0004 to the pin 13 of the c101 e30 plug, in stead of using the lime green ms43 relay? (For the fuel pump setup)

-is it possible to connect the electric fan signal wire (pin 4 x0004) of the ms43 dme to a pusher fan for the coolant radiator?

-Is is possible to make the fuel consumption gauge work? Which wire do you have to connect to c101 pin 8?

-is it necessary to use an e30 coolant sensor for the gauge? Or is it also possible to use the ms43 signal and connect this to c101 pin 4?

[maxpostma]

Another small update:

I debated about installing an open air filter, it's the most convenient solution but I like the more classy OEM style, ofcourse the stock airbox didn't fit because of the alternator.

A litte trim was necessary:


Also (almost) finished the back end of the car including the axles, all fresh with new handbrake shoes. Still need to mount the hardlines and bleed the system.

[maxpostma]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4909/...5164f06d_b.jpg

This should not have been cut like that. This piece locks the shaft halves from being able to move. I'm still surprised you had to change the length of that driveshaft. Maybe the euro cars had different transmission configurations or something.

I understand that you're confused, but it really didn't fit before we trimmed the 15mm of the locking nut.

Does it really has to be locked into place? because it's already unable to move because it's mounted to the diff, I don't think it's a problem if you have a couple mm's wiggle room.

Could be that I'm wrong though..

[dude8383]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4909/46364970471_895164f06d_b.jpg

This should not have been cut like that. This piece locks the shaft halves from being able to move. I'm still surprised you had to change the length of that driveshaft. Maybe the euro cars had different transmission configurations or something.

[maxpostma]

Update:

An interior update:

Didnt do as much as I hoped during the holidays. Mostly because of unvoluntary family stuff..

But I did buy myself another e30 as a Christmas present:
It's a 324 (turboless) D, bought it because it had a red leather interior. Something I've always wanted after seeing Adam LZ's 335i.

I've already swapped my original comfort blue interior over to the tractor which I plan to sell as quickly as possible.
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The camera really doesn't do the color justice..
The rear bench has a weird sheen to it on the photo, but it looks much better now I cleaned it.
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Also got some black doorcards and painted my carpet to match the black&red theme (notmypicture):


Did some research about painting carpet, and heared mixed messages about it, decided to try it myself and the result is decent. I think I used too much paint, because in some areas it's a bit cloudy... :(

Before:


after:


And lastly, the cardan shaft is finally in place :bow:

[maxpostma]

Had the same issue with the Driveshaft and the sensor hitting the radiator(nothing that a cabletie wouldn't fix tho) but used E24 5-Series engine mounts (70mm with offset) and custom engine brackets.
I cut and rewelded the driveshaft exactly at the spot where it's originally fricitionwelded i guess near where the slidy thing is inserted, where it get's wider. make sure to get it balanced, if it's too much unbalanced it could brake the gearboxflange (didn't do that, i just pray the balance isn't too much off)

Luckily I'm not the only one having this issue...
I don't think I introduced any inbalance by trimming a tiny piece of in the lathe, just going to try my luck and if there are any vibrations I'ill adress it then.

[sebe20]

Had the same issue with the Driveshaft and the sensor hitting the radiator(nothing that a cabletie wouldn't fix tho) but used E24 5-Series engine mounts (70mm with offset) and custom engine brackets.
I cut and rewelded the driveshaft exactly at the spot where it's originally fricitionwelded i guess near where the slidy thing is inserted, where it get's wider. make sure to get it balanced, if it's too much unbalanced it could brake the gearboxflange (didn't do that, i just pray the balance isn't too much off)

[maxpostma]

Now you're just showing-off!

(I like it!)

Hehehe,
If you're not a little bit proud of what you're doing, you're probably doing it wrong :)

[hoveringuy]

And made a custom sticker for the new strutbar:

Now you're just showing-off!

(I like it!)

[maxpostma]

Another small update:

Decided to just go for it and trim it (about 15mm), It had to be done because I didn't want to move the engine more forward or buy another drive shaft:
Luckily the first part of the slidey thingy in the drive shaft is just some kind of plastic which means I didn't remove any of its strength.


Also replaced the worn out rear bearings:
All nice and fresh :)


And made a custom sticker for the new strutbar:

[maxpostma]

Hahaha no problem:), I'ill measure it later this day.

Not really later that day..... but here are the measurements:

The part from the differential to the center bearing is 97,0 cm or (97/2,54) inch.

The part from the gearbox to the center bearing is 59,6 cm or (59.6/2,54) inch.


They do slide into eachother, so to the total length isn't the 2 lengths combined.
I also noticed that the e30 center bearing barely fits, it's under a bit of stress while installed, is this normal?

[maxpostma]

You are doing domething wrong or those rotated e28 engine mounts cause that. With e34 m50 engine mounts it's bolt in and the e36 328 drive shaft is 100% right length.

It's possible to put the driveshaft in place, but the engine is placed so much forward that an engine sensor hits the radiator (lightly).

Another possibility is that my supposed e36 328i drive shaft isn't an e36 328i drive shaft.
I'm just going to measure it, to know for sure.

[pazi88]

You are doing domething wrong or those rotated e28 engine mounts cause that. With e34 m50 engine mounts it's bolt in and the e36 328 drive shaft is 100% right length.

[maxpostma]

A small update:

Last weeks we spend way to much time locating the engine in the right position with the e28 3.5 engine mounts. We ended up mounting the engine mounts in the outer subframe holes and removing the little ridge on the mount. This so it was possible to rotate the mount so the engine sits right.
quite a hassle, but now it sits and fits like it supposed to.

This resulted in another obstacle:
The E36 328 drive shaft is 12mm too long, so We will have to shorten that....
It's never as easy as internet says it is :?

It was my birthday last week, and I got some E30 goodies :)

From my girlfriend a Hartge inspired front strut bar:
WhatsApp Image 2018-12-13 at 09.28.21(2)

And some other braces and a skidplate to keep the old lady in one piece:
WhatsApp Image 2018-12-13 at 09.28.21(1)


Hopefully I'ill have the time to install everything, but I'm very buisy with an robot automation internship, luckily the Christmas break is in sight :)