N52 Swap

[nando]

You have a good point. The Arc Asylum subframe is perfect, but not available to anyone at the moment.

in an ix, of course, I have to fab an oil pan anyway. I've looked into all of the available AWD variants of the N52, and of course, BMW only makes land barges now so everything is off by at least 6".

[cwlo]

Not sure I totally follow wazzu, but rather than modify an existing e30 subframe like Arc asylum, then modify N52 pan and oil pickup like I did, wouldn't another option be to modify the e30 frame rails to allow an e36/46 front subframe in its native location. This would allow the N52 install without any oil pan/pickup work?

[jwal]

Does anyone have an e90 subframe to compare them? Are you saying the e36/46 sub won't EVER work, or that it just needs to be modified to work?

The E30 sub has to be significantly modified, so the question is what is the best subframe to start with. I don't have any on hand to look at to discern this.

[wazzu70]

Using an E36 or E46 will work, putting an E36 or E46 subframe in an E30 will not. In the E36/E46 the mounts on the body are in a different place in relation to the middle plane of the engine fore/aft. Only major difference compared to the E30 subframe is the location of the engine mount ears.

[cwlo]

The big downside of the e90 is definitely the track width. Approx 3 3/4" wider. So flares would be certain, but it is a bit more sophisticated and superior in performance.



Going back in series, perhaps the e46 or e36 should be considered. The 318ti N52 swap did not require oil pan, pickup, or subframe mods.



My main point here is that the Arc asylum option is currently not available, so other options should be considered.

[jwal]

I'm down to find out! Anyone have an e90 they can send me?

[nando]

I'm sure it can be done, but I bet you end up with just as much fabrication in the end. The E90 is bigger than the E30 in almost every dimension.

Although the nice thing is E90 front suspension is all aluminum (on non-XI models) and it seems to last forever.

[cwlo]

So I was looking over the Piper motorsport e30 M3 V-10 build. They took the e90 front and rear subframes and integrated them into the e30. (I'm actually looking into doing the rear e90, but that's another story). Anyway, if the e90 front subframe can be integrated into the e30 with a bit of modding, would it be possible to run the N52 without any oilpan or oil pump pickup tube mods? No arc asylum subframe needed either. Seems like another way to go. Thoughts?

[HCMW Adam]

I am thrilled to read this post and see this progress. I was looking for info on an n52 swap a little over a year ago and could not find anything but the one thread Nando mentioned. Seeing that you guys have cracked it really gives me enthusiasm for doing my own this way.


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[jeenyus]

Wow this sounds amazing. I was actually only looking for information about the N52 because I'm planning on getting an e91 for the family, but this just took it to another level. Nando, I'd like to see yours completed before I one day venture down this same path.

[nando]

Actually, I haven't got the dipstick installed yet.



In the meantime, I finally found how to read it in INPA! It does not come up as an option under e90 or e85, but I put in e83 (X3), and there is a screen that shows a bunch of readings on oil:....time since last change, oil quality, and oil level.



Also, G Petersen is trying to see if he can get his CAN converter to read the CAN message, and drive an output.

So your car is in can-11h mode. It should be able to do it. I could probabily assist in identifying the CAN id for the oil level if needed.

[hoveringuy]

Can't wait to see Dyno figures!

[cwlo]

N52 Oil Level

Actually, I haven't got the dipstick installed yet.



In the meantime, I finally found how to read it in INPA! It does not come up as an option under e90 or e85, but I put in e83 (X3), and there is a screen that shows a bunch of readings on oil:....time since last change, oil quality, and oil level.



Also, G Petersen is trying to see if he can get his CAN converter to read the CAN message, and drive an output.

[nando]

AA tune is weaksauce, but the N52 is still a great engine.

IIRC he put in a dipstick. My buddy with the E36 ti uses a CAN board. Its not a big deal though, the N52B30 doesnt burn a lot of oil. I put in maybe 1 quart every other year (I change my oil once a year or about 10,000 miles).

[smellthebeans]

Crazy

This is crazy. I have had 3 cars with the N52. Final one was a 3 stage intake and AA tune. Loved the eagerness of the engine to spin up.

How do you monitor your oil level?