M52 engine with 330Xi drivetrain in e30 325ix

[jute91]

i allready bought M52 engine because i found one which cost me less that i could get selling it in parts. engine is m52TUB25. now im wondering installing E46 330xi transmission, transfer box and front and rear final drives. i have checked pictures of e46 transfer case and it has some gears, not chain like e30 box has. it also have some on/off solenoid switching front drive?

[nrubenstein]

The xi has a completely open transfer case that depends on traction control to shift power around. It's basically like a broken iX case. I don't know what you'd have to do to make everything fit, but I strongly suspect that it would be a lot more work than grafting two oil pans together and using all he iX drivetrain components.

[nando]

not worth it at all. the E46 Xi drivetrain is pretty lame from a performance standpoint. There's no on/off switching, it's just an open differential and it uses the ABS to control slip. What you've pictured may actually be an Xdrive transfercase (newer BMWs) which is totally different from the E46.

to make it work you'd have to transplant the entire ABS system in addition to the transmission.

also, none of the geometry of the front end (including the E46 xi oil pan) will work.

If you want to do something like this, you'd really need parts from an E34 525ix, but it's still going to require work to use the E30 transfercase and you'll need to modify the halfshafts (or do a 5 lug conversion). the oil pan lines up perfect and the transfercases are pretty similar, but it's still not 100% bolt on to the E30.

[flyboyx]

^sounds like you have been lurking on e30tech. ;)

[jute91]

found something from wiki. . BMW produced the 325xi and 330xi in the US between 2001–2005, but only in Sedan (4-door) trim and the 325xi Sports Wagon. The AWD models were well received by reviewers for giving customers in severe winter climates the option of an AWD 3-series. At the same time, the xi was criticized for its added weight, slower acceleration, decreased gas mileage, softer suspension, and poor original equipment tires. [25][26] The transfer case used in all BMW E46 xi models is manufactured by New Venture Gear, Inc., which is owned by Magna Powertrain. The NV 124 transfer case used in the E46 xi models is a full-time four-wheel-drive gear driven transfer case. [27] The xi models have a permanent front/rear 38:62 torque split which differs from the E46's successor, the E9X, which incorporated BMW's new xDrive platform. Both the front and rear differentials in the E46 xi are open differentials which are aided by DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) to control wheel spin and oversteer/understeer.

[Killacortes]

I wish e46 xi front axles fit on ix cars. They look pretty similar

[nrubenstein]

found something from wiki. . BMW produced the 325xi and 330xi in the US between 2001–2005, but only in Sedan (4-door) trim and the 325xi Sports Wagon. The AWD models were well received by reviewers for giving customers in severe winter climates the option of an AWD 3-series. At the same time, the xi was criticized for its added weight, slower acceleration, decreased gas mileage, softer suspension, and poor original equipment tires. [25][26] The transfer case used in all BMW E46 xi models is manufactured by New Venture Gear, Inc., which is owned by Magna Powertrain. The NV 124 transfer case used in the E46 xi models is a full-time four-wheel-drive gear driven transfer case. [27] The xi models have a permanent front/rear 38:62 torque split which differs from the E46's successor, the E9X, which incorporated BMW's new xDrive platform. Both the front and rear differentials in the E46 xi are open differentials which are aided by DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) to control wheel spin and oversteer/understeer.

So, uh, what is your point? That adds no new information and doesnt make this any less of a bad idea.

[The Dark Side of Will]

The big problem with the E46 parts is that the E46 AWD oil pan puts the diff too far forward to fit in the E30 body.

[jute91]

well, i could make it go backward, if i can cut it to part and weld to complete again. biggest problem is that E46 has +40mm wider front than e30. positive is that e46 driveshafts cost only 400e when e30 cost 1500e. those are about 550 and 1700 in US dollars.

[nando]

what driveshaft costs $1500?

the E46 XI drivetrain still sucks..

[bmwstephen]

what driveshaft costs $1500?

the E46 XI drivetrain still sucks..

what nando says. also good luck hooking the xi drive terrain to an m52. It was designed for an m54. every day I look at my e46xi I try to use all my will power to wish it into an e30.

[jute91]

its e30 Front shaft. from germany it cost only 1100$ each :D

[nando]

you get ripped off - you can get them for $400-$500 here. also, not sure why it matters, you shouldn't need to replace it if properly lubed. you can also have it resplined for about $300.

[jute91]

it would be nice, if there would be possible to put grease nipple in it :D and some air nipple, where old stuff comes out :D maybe i should give a try....

[nando]

why? use the right grease, it won't come out. :)