N52 engine mounting (Z4 arms)

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Bored
    Noobie
    • Nov 2018
    • 30

    #16
    Hi there,

    Assuming we're using the stock subframe with E85 Z4 engine arms, a GS6-17 transmission (for the g260-like fit)... what is the combo of OE driveshafts that make it all work together? The more off-the-shelf parts this swap can use the more tolerable this swap will be for folks.

    I saw in another post that the Tesla i-booster works with the 3 stage intake manifold using the E85 mounting arms, so it seems like this is piecing together better and better!

    Comment

    • hoveringuy
      R3VLimited
      • Dec 2005
      • 2679

      #17
      Originally posted by Bored
      Hi there,

      Assuming we're using the stock subframe with E85 Z4 engine arms, a GS6-17 transmission (for the g260-like fit)... what is the combo of OE driveshafts that make it all work together? The more off-the-shelf parts this swap can use the more tolerable this swap will be for folks.

      I saw in another post that the Tesla i-booster works with the 3 stage intake manifold using the E85 mounting arms, so it seems like this is piecing together better and better!
      yep, stock subframe. I had run a custom subframe for the my rear sump M54 and it was kind of a pain, I wanted to keep this as stock as possible.

      I have heard that an E36M automatic front section is the ticket. I just had a shaft fabricated for $600 from scratch. Came with new joints, and CSB, fully balanced. Just wasn't worth piecing used shafts together but I know that can be done.

      Comment

      • iansane
        E30 Fanatic
        • Oct 2011
        • 1341

        #18
        Did you use NW Driveline? If so, what location? I've had less than stellar results with the Seattle location...
        84 325e - 91 325i - 92 318 touring - 91 Trans Am - 01 S4 avant - 03 S-type R - 96 F350 - 15 SS - 84 Biturbo - 91 Defender

        Comment

        • hoveringuy
          R3VLimited
          • Dec 2005
          • 2679

          #19
          Originally posted by iansane
          Did you use NW Driveline? If so, what location? I've had less than stellar results with the Seattle location...
          Yep, Seattle location. I had one go-back issue where the rear yoke wasn't e30 and needed to be turned. The nice thing is that when I moved the engine back that little bit they shortened the shaft and rebalanced for pretty cheap. (stock shafts can't be shortened, I guess..)

          Comment

          • Striker01
            Grease Monkey
            • Jul 2011
            • 318

            #20
            I would recommend using the AKG 24v mounts with this swap. I don't know what other brands may work but I know for sure that the Revshift ones do not, they will shift the front of the engine too far towards the intake side.

            Here are the measurements after installing them.
            Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_0184.jpg Views:	201 Size:	282.2 KB ID:	10110689
            Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_0185.jpg Views:	186 Size:	268.2 KB ID:	10110692

            The crank is much closer to the driver's frame rail and I had to pry the transmission quite a bit to get it mounted.


            AKG poly mounts are not available for about 6 weeks so I ordered aluminum ones to use for mocking exhaust stuff up. AKG told me that the geometry is the same between the two.

            They are symmetrical, the revshift ones are not.

            Click image for larger version  Name:	akg.jpg Views:	184 Size:	125.8 KB ID:	10110690

            Here is the driver's side revshift compared to the AKG.

            Click image for larger version  Name:	driverdiff.jpg Views:	188 Size:	127.9 KB ID:	10110691

            Here is the passenger side comparison.

            Click image for larger version  Name:	passdiff.jpg Views:	182 Size:	124.2 KB ID:	10110693
            Last edited by Striker01; 09-16-2024, 07:03 PM. Reason: Changed wording for right hand drive guys.

            Comment

            • Striker01
              Grease Monkey
              • Jul 2011
              • 318

              #21
              Here is a comparison of the driver's side mounts on the subframe.
              Click image for larger version

Name:	revshiftdriver.jpg
Views:	424
Size:	172.1 KB
ID:	10110698
              Click image for larger version

Name:	akgdriver.jpg
Views:	442
Size:	166.9 KB
ID:	10110697

              Here are the crankshaft to frame rail measurements. Much better!

              Click image for larger version

Name:	crankdriver.jpg
Views:	414
Size:	253.8 KB
ID:	10110699
              Click image for larger version

Name:	Crankpass.jpg
Views:	421
Size:	234.3 KB
ID:	10110700

              The transmission mount lifted right up onto its studs, without a fight. If you use these AKG transmission mounts you will have to enlarge the holes in the mount and the ears on the transmission.

              Click image for larger version

Name:	transmission.jpg
Views:	416
Size:	172.7 KB
ID:	10110701

              Comment

              • CarlKB
                Noobie
                • Nov 2024
                • 5

                #22
                Hey guys I'm in the early stages of planning my N52 engine swap. I want to create a bit of a cruiser - something that's got plenty of power but not going to rattle me to pieces. Do you think that there is enough room to run a rubber engine mount with this set up? Cheers

                Comment

                • hoveringuy
                  R3VLimited
                  • Dec 2005
                  • 2679

                  #23
                  Originally posted by CarlKB
                  Hey guys I'm in the early stages of planning my N52 engine swap. I want to create a bit of a cruiser - something that's got plenty of power but not going to rattle me to pieces. Do you think that there is enough room to run a rubber engine mount with this set up? Cheers
                  I'm on rubber mounts. The Noise, Vibration, Harshness is not as good as E90 hydro mounts, but it's not bad like poly, either.

                  Comment

                  • 1984Bmwe30
                    Noobie
                    • Jul 2025
                    • 3

                    #24
                    What transmission did you used was it the stock 90
                    manual transmission that came with the N52?

                    Comment

                    • 1984Bmwe30
                      Noobie
                      • Jul 2025
                      • 3

                      #25
                      Just curious I'm doing a swap of my own as well.

                      Comment

                      • hoveringuy
                        R3VLimited
                        • Dec 2005
                        • 2679

                        #26
                        Originally posted by 1984Bmwe30
                        What transmission did you used was it the stock 90
                        manual transmission that came with the N52?
                        I used the GS6-17 that came with it out of a 2010 328i.

                        Unlike most of the other DOHC swaps, the G-260 won't work, bellhousing different.

                        Comment

                        • 1984Bmwe30
                          Noobie
                          • Jul 2025
                          • 3

                          #27
                          I have the e90 2006 manual transmission

                          Comment

                          • hoveringuy
                            R3VLimited
                            • Dec 2005
                            • 2679

                            #28
                            Originally posted by 1984Bmwe30
                            I have the e90 2006 manual transmission
                            Good to go!

                            Comment

                            • blums_work
                              Noobie
                              • May 2025
                              • 1

                              #29
                              Hi all,

                              I have been searching for the AKG Motorsport poly mounts, but they seem out of stock and on backorder everywhere.
                              Are there any alternatives? I would rather not use the aluminium version of the AKG mounts.

                              Comment

                              • hoveringuy
                                R3VLimited
                                • Dec 2005
                                • 2679

                                #30
                                Originally posted by blums_work
                                Hi all,

                                I have been searching for the AKG Motorsport poly mounts, but they seem out of stock and on backorder everywhere.
                                Are there any alternatives? I would rather not use the aluminium version of the AKG mounts.
                                Maybe the upside-down hydraulic mount hack? (forgot who invented it...)

                                It moves the engine back 1/2" or so as well.

                                Comment

                                Working...