N52 Swap Discussion

[ralle30]

I think I'm about to jump down the rabbit hole ...

We run our E30 in the local rallycross events (NW Rally Association - Northwest Rally Association (nwrallyassociation.com)) and it's been a blast - right up to where the M20 overheated and we found out the block is cracked :(

Been waffling about deciding on the right engine to put in (M20 = easy, but no more power, M50/M52 mostly easy, not much more power unless we go down cams + exhaust + tune route, S5x - $$$, etc) and then stumbled across this thread.

The N52 Seems like it ticks ALL the boxes - lighter weight, more power, N/A for smooth power delivery (turbo + loose surface + RWD = big grins and slow times).

Except I'm a little apprehensive on the fab end of the swap ...

On my own there's no way I could fab up the engine arms and oil pan - but I do have local access to guys who could weld them up nice for me if I handed over the "you weld it" bits.
Aaaand it looks like I'm reasonably close to hoveringuy and hubcapboy (I'm on Vashon - near Seattle) ... so maybe I could be one of those last guinea pigs to try it out on? The rx car is a great test mule - lots of vertical loads as we bash around the course, and if something breaks it's under controlled conditions (with a trailer to get 'er home).

I really like the shallower pan - was extremely distraught at the thought of a lower e34 pan and losing ground clearance (beefy skid plate, but I'd probably have to lower it a bit to clear the new, lower pan.)

Of course I'm crazy, and like all race-car projects I'm now on a schedule to have a car ready by the first event in mid-December!

hoveringuy, it looks like my son missed catching you at The Ridge by a day - he went for ride-alongs with a buddy in his M3 and managed to ride in a LOT of fun cars. He would have zero'd in on your E30 from a mile out - he did talk to a guy with a Pro3 (in "gulf livery") for a bit about swap ideas...

[Nowayman]

It’s simply to make the swap easier for people who would rather just bolt it all up. Im also doing an n52 swap in both my z3 and another e30 using the 6 speed. But having this flywheel option allows the n52 to just match up to a lot of cars without any drivetrain changes, driveshaft swapping etc.

Also I’ve been enjoying watching your build btw. Loving those track vids!


*s54 pan- I’m not sure if it’ll fit without modification, but I do have a pan on the way to test that. I’m unable to change any of the subframe geometry and keep everything where I have it. Worst case though, it needs modified, but a lot less than it would with anything else.

[hoveringuy]

Nowayman Out of curiosity, why are you keeping the G260? Is it to keep the stock driveline?
I had no issues with my 260 behind the M54, except that the stock clutch wouldn't hold the torque
I have the GS-17 6 speed now with the N52 and don't know if I could go back...

[Nowayman]

The subframe kits will be available for purchase when the ThirtyFab site goes live in January. You’re welcome to check out the IG account if you’re interested… @thirty_fab
I will be launching a discounted pre-order sometime before opening everything up. I’ll be releasing a lot more info in the coming weeks. Not trying to junk up a thread with any of that stuff but anyone is welcome to DM me if they have questions.👍

[Caperix]

Pictures would be great, is this a one off for your self or something you plan on offering for sale? Have you done any test fits with the s54 oil pan, I think all the other rear sump cross members require modification to the s54 pan to fit.

[Nowayman]

Sure thing! I’m out of town until Tuesday but I’ll definitely get some photos from underneath 👍

[hubcapboy]

Well look what it took to bring me back here :)

This is incredible work. I don't want to ask you to reveal too much, but it looks like your car is at the same height as mine. Can you show us how everything fits together from below?

[wazzu70]

Thanks for sharing the printed pieces. Its always cool to see!

If you can make a subframe out of billet (or sheet/tube) for a reasonable cost that fits an unmodified sump you will be a hero.

[Nowayman]

It’s just a creality cr10s. I print them in four pieces and assemble. The attic to my garage is just bursting with printed subframe prototypes haha. There’s at least 15 of them up there. As far as the CABs I have them on my other e30 and my z3 and they really aren’t too bad. Could easily run the regular lollipops and cut the header back further before doing the v-bands and make room, I expected to have to do this either way, but they ended up fitting with these.

Also had a couple 4140 g260/zf flywheels made, they use the n52 starter, e30 clutch.


I had also printed and mounted about 8 of these before I was happy 😂. There are no teeth on the one up there, my manufacturer can do just about anything, they mostly do work for the oil and gas industry, but they don’t cut teeth. I’m picking them up from the gear place later this week.

[nando]

That's pretty cool. Wow, 3D printed subframe? Even as a prototype, that's an accomplishment to print something that large. I'm going to guess here you're using a machine at work or something, lol. Even a really nice home printer won't go that big! I've worked a bit on an adapter for the S54 throttles, but I'll have to make it in several pieces, and I also have to print it at a 45 degree angle on my bed to make the biggest assembly possible.

Header fitment looks fine but the deal breaker for me are those THR clone brackets. I wouldn't want to run those on a street car. but it probably wouldn't take much modification to make them work with the stock brackets, so definitely helpful to see how they fit!

[Nowayman]

It’s definitely not cheap, but I do have a relationship with my manufacturer so my costs are quite a bit less than they would be otherwise. It does use the rear sump pan, and the z4 arms. The rack does move forward, but with a trick from my Nissan days, I’m able to deal with some of the negative of moving the rack, though it doesn’t move forward all the much compared to some of the modded subframes I’ve seen

[Caperix]

Very nice, does it use a rear sump pan? Billet could get pricy for a subframe but it looks really nice from the photos you showed

[Nowayman]

Something I’ve been working on over the past couple of years. I’ll share more about all of it soon 🤭

That there is one of many 3D printed prototypes. Have the first billet version being manufactured now.

[Caperix]

What subframe are you running?

[Nowayman]

Few (poor) pics of the header fitment 😂