Another N52 swap attempt!

[Striker01]

I have 1/4" between the level and each fender across the OFH.

Steve,

I've been thinking about this too much. None of you guys that have worked on this swap have mentioned OFH being too tall, kinda worries me. I measured mine today, it's 1/4" above the fender line. I double checked that I have the revshift mounts on the correct sides, unless left means left when standing in front of the hood and looking towards the back, then they are correct. Reminded me that when we put the engine in I had to pull the tail of the transmission pretty far towards the passenger side to get the transmission mount bolted up. The combination of those two makes me think something isn't quite correct.

I ordered AKG mounts to try and see if they will fit any better. Stopped exhaust work for now because if the AKG ones drop the front of the engine down the e90 headers will probably have sway bar clearance issues. Kinda stuck for the time being. I guess I need to harass my brother to finish welding up the oil pan so at least I'm making some progress.

[Striker01]

Do you happen to know which location you contacted? Their website lists 6 locations: Ventura Oxnard Whittier Gardena Garden Grove San Diego

Whittier and Garden Grove isn't too far from me.

I worked with Brian at the Garden Grove location.

[Striker01]

I’ll check mine if my level is long enough, not an issue for me. Plenty of clearance for the actual hood but my insulation has a bubble thing that sticks down really far there, maybe 1.5”. Thanks for checking.

[hoveringuy]

I have 1/4" between the level and each fender across the OFH.

[projectJTv4]

I called multiple places and a few recommended driveshaftpros in CA.

Do you happen to know which location you contacted? Their website lists 6 locations: Ventura Oxnard Whittier Gardena Garden Grove San Diego

Whittier and Garden Grove isn't too far from me.

[Striker01]

I got the drivehaft sorted. I though I could just have a shop cut off the G260 flange, weld on the 96mm one and shorten as required. I guess it's not that simple. I couldn't find anyone willing to cut and weld the BMW shaft, not many can balance a 2 piece. I called multiple places and a few recommended driveshaftpros in CA. They were the only ones I could find willing to do a custom 2 piece drive shaft, 1 piece would be doable, with adapter plates, but I don't have any issues with the stock one and don't want to mess with a one piece.

The pros from driveshaftpros:

Communication was great, they were very quick to respond to emails, willing to do a custom build and sent exactly what I ordered. Price was $660 shipped to OK from Cali.

U joints are serviceable.

Driveshaft was shipped the day after I ordered it.

Cons:

3 differential studs had to be pulled straight with nuts. This isn't a huge deal but disappointing because it indicates poor QC.

The paint is terrible, I'd rather wait a couple days for shipping and have decent paint adhesion.

I measured 23" from the back of the flex disc to the center of the support bearing bolt hole, using the short N52 6 speed (GS6-17). 22 3/4' probably would have been better as you can see in this pic. You can also see some of the poor paint issues.



Here is the worst of the 3 studs that I had to straighten, none of them were pressed in all the way.




A few more of the driveshaft.

[Striker01]

Finally got a chance to test fit the engine. It went in easier than the M20 came out. I'm sure it will be much more difficult with all the accessories attached. Test fit the hood, the oil filter lid hits the hood insulation, so that will require some trimming. I'm using the revshift 24v mounts, not sure how they compare to others. Other mounts may get the engine a little lower but then I will have issues with the exhaust I chose hitting the sway bar, details on that in the dedicated exhaust thread.



Next step is to measure for a driveshaft and get the headers sorted, then pull the engine and get the bay cleaned up and fix a few rust spots.

[Striker01]

Great progress so far. Do the headers you ordered allow room for the AC compressor?

It looks like they will, the first runner goes straight back. They won't fit with the 328 engine arms so I won't know for sure until I get the Z4 arms. Been waiting on them for almost 2 months. I will get a photo of the headers mocked up when the arms arrive.

[JRowe]

Great progress so far. Do the headers you ordered allow room for the AC compressor?

[Striker01]

Tired of working on rust repair stuff so decided to attempt to get this oil pan put together. Thanks again to hoveringuy, amazing work on the pan design and offering lots of pointers along the way. I also stole his small magnet idea to mock it up.

I just need my brother to get moved into his house so he can pull his TIG machine out of storage and get this thing welded up.

[Striker01]

Been getting a little done on the car. I think I'm finished with floor and firewall repairs. I don't want to mess with the engine bay until after I get the engine test fitted to figure out exhaust clearance and driveshaft. I didn't get the replacement floor plate perfect but it's better than a rust perforated one. Finally getting the welder to cooperate with me a little better.




No turning back now, throttle cable hole is plugged.

[Striker01]

Decided to move the brake and clutch pedal pads left a 1/4" or so, tired of dragging my foot on the brake pedal when using the gas.





The oil pan parts that hoveringuy came up with are looking really inviting, I may start working on that next. I'm bored of floor repairs, want to do something that actually feels like progress towards getting the N52 in.

Still waiting on Z4 arms, estimated ship was Oct 7th I guess that was a little optimistic.

[Striker01]

Got a few holes repaired and the pedal mount ready for the new pedal. I suck at welding but the floor is a good place to practice I guess.





This area looks like a lot of work to patch so I ordered a right rear floor pan replacement piece. Waiting for that to arrive.

[Striker01]

Following!

You'll probably have yours in before I get this one put together. I keep finding "while I'm here" stuff to fix and my garage is running out of space. One of the Z4 arms is on back order so no telling how long that will take.

[hoveringuy]

Got some goodies today. Huge Thank You to hoveringuy!!

Following!