24V AWD Swap Knowledge Base

[The Dark Side of Will]

Still waiting for data package from CMM guy.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Before you guys get gung-ho about extensive mods to your oil pans, read about some of the problems that V8 swappers are having getting their modded M60 pans to seal:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=319919

[nando]

if I have anything done it will go to a pro. yeah, it's gotta be done right - I'd want to send it to the guy who does the custom S54 oil pans & subframes.

my transmission will be here Thursday. :)

[jebc125]

I have read almost all the post, but I have a some questions, I have a 325iX that was imported from the USA to Costa Rica. The car is RWD and find a transfercase with the transmission is a PITA. My engine doest sound well maybe the valves or needs a complete refresh, I was thinking to make a engine swap with a M50 with the E34 oil pan, in Costa Rica is easily to find the oil pan. Is there a difference in the front in the ix aside the front differential (My car is RWD and and swapped the rear diff with a LSD 373 from a past car that I had)?

[The Dark Side of Will]

You (or someone?) Removed the T-case and front driveshaft? Thereby using a RWD driveshaft with the original transmission?

The E34 pan won't clear the IX crossmember, but the E36 pan would *probably* work.

Also, you'll need to keep the outer CV joints bolted into the hubs to keep the wheels on the car.

You'll need custom engine mount arms as well.

[jebc125]

The car came without the front diff and driveshaft. They used the gearbox and rear driveshaft front a 325is and made like a custom bracket to support one side of the gearbox something like this
(I am going to make a new one in the future).

I saw that several parts from the iX are the same in the 325, but I dont know if the oil pan and mounts are different.

[The Dark Side of Will]

It still has the front diff... you can see the input flange in your photo.
That's also the original IX transmission, as it has the mounting points for the T-case.

[jebc125]

But my car doesn't have anything in the front, why is the reason that I am thinking in a engine swap, but my headache is the oil pan because I don't know if the E34 M50 oil pan will fit or needs clearance or needs something custom made.

[nando]

no the E34 pan will not work. use the E36 pan, it will probably work although it's not certain.

[jebc125]

Mmm I am going to find a E36 and compare, is normal to find broke oil pans in Costa Rica haha.

[jebc125]

I found this maybe can help. http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21774

[nando]

I posted in that thread 8 years ago. :p

I'd forgotten that he had tried the 525ix pan as-is. I'm still convinced it's a problem I can solve..

[nando]

I couldn't resist having all the parts to mock it up. I'm pretty sure I have enough room to move the E34 diff back 1 1/4" so it clears everything. But it's tight - I'll have to go back to the E30 ix front flex disc and centering pin. TBH I don't think the E30 part is going to be much of an issue, I've never actually had one fail. The thicker flex disc was just a bonus upgrade IMO.

onto the pics.. this shit is all long, and heavy.



this is the X5 flex disc and centering pin. there's about 3/4" clearance between the bolt and the gusset for the oil pan bolt.



With the E34 diff in it's original location the E30 front shaft is too short. I have a front driveshaft extension to have welded on, but when I move the diff back that will mostly be taken care of anyway. the sprocket isn't quite pushed in all the way to the bearing, if it was the end of the sprocket would just be touching the driveshaft:


The E30 ix front disc is larger in diameter, but thinner. There's 1" clear between the bolt head and the gusset. However, I think I could cut down that gusset at least 1.5" and use a shorter oil pan bolt, which would give enough clearance to move the diff 1.25" back. I'd also use a bolt with a slightly thinner head (or just grind it down) to have at least a couple MM of clearance.




I think it's doable for sure. I've had my 3.38 diffs packed in a box to send to wanganstyle for months now but I didn't want to bother if I couldn't use the E34 diff anyway. I need to save some dough and send this oil pan off and see it if can be shortened, I'm sure it won't be fun but that's what money is for. :p

[nando]

15 5/8" from the bellhousing face to the REAR edge of the bottom surface of the crossmember (NOT the bumper) on a stock 325iX.

I get 16 1/2-16 5/8" (depending on how conservative I am) from the bellhousing face to the same spot on the cross member (I assume you mean the lower edge of the subframe where the bumper bolts to). This is with the E34 diff touching the high pressure line on the rack. There must be some clearance to the front diff, 1/4"-3/8" would probably be enough.

E30 pan:
Bellhousing face to axle centerline: 10 1/8"
Bellhousing face to front of sump: 14"

E53 V8 pan:
BH face to axle CL: 10 3/4"
BH face to front of sump: 14 5/8"

E53 I6 pan:
BH to axle CL: 11 1/4
BH to sump: 15

So if the stock E30 sump length is 14" and it's 15 5/8" to the edge of the crossmember, AND the E34 sump is 15 1/4" long, then the bumper/crossmember/steering rack/whatever's in the way will have to move forward 1 1/4" to maintain the same relationship to the front of the sump.

I get exactly 11 1/2" from the CL of the front CV shafts to the bellhousing face. however, 1/8" isn't much to worry about, the CV shaft will easily deal with that.

[Nisse Järnet]

Do you know if the X5 flex disc is thicker than the E34 ix?