24V AWD Swap Knowledge Base

[Eskie]

Yeah I was just out measuring it with my phone level app. It’s dead nuts at 0 degrees on the top of the manifold and valve cover.


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[nando]

AFAIK it's not tilted at all. The bottom of the oil pan is essentially flush with the subframe.

[Eskie]

Alright, i'll measure one of mine in a bit

[The Dark Side of Will]

Not the left to to right tilt... the front front to back tilt. This will be an angle of 5 degrees or less.
So yes, car would need to be on a level & flat surface. The top of the intake plenum would actually be a good reference for an angle finder.

I thought the M20 was 20 degrees leaned over and the 24V engines were 30 degrees.

[nando]

it's 15 degrees. that is well known. all 24v engines are 20 degrees.

[Eskie]

Actually..my phone has one built in. Should I measure with the car on a flat surface across the valve cover?

[Eskie]

I found an eBay seller with both sides of both RWD and AWD mount arms for sale, so I grabbed all four.

Because of the right angle characteristic I noted above, it'll be SUPER easy to get the lateral and vertical relationship between the RWD and AWD mount locations from that one arm. It'll take a smidge more thought to get the longitudinal relationship, but I think that's readily doable as well.

Also, does anyone know how much the M20 powertrain is tilted front to back?

I can measure both of mine. I don't have an angle finder--I could always grab one from harbor freight or amazon. Would there be a way to measure it otherwise?

[The Dark Side of Will]

I found an eBay seller with both sides of both RWD and AWD mount arms for sale, so I grabbed all four.

Because of the right angle characteristic I noted above, it'll be SUPER easy to get the lateral and vertical relationship between the RWD and AWD mount locations from that one arm. It'll take a smidge more thought to get the longitudinal relationship, but I think that's readily doable as well.

Also, does anyone know how much the M20 powertrain is tilted front to back?

[The Dark Side of Will]

Thanks! I may have to take you up on that.

I had a realization...
The engine mount pads are tilted toward each other by 20 degrees from horizontal. The M20 is tilted over at 20 degrees. Thus the angle from the engine block mating surface to the engine mount mating surface on the left mount arm should be right at 90 degrees.

That makes it easy to spot check angles on the RWD left mount arm vs. FWD left mount arm. I guess I know enough to order some mount arms now...

[Eskie]

If you need any help with measurements or pictures from components from X-drive vehicles let me know. I work in parts at a BMW dealer and have 2 E30 iX's myself. One of which I'd love to swap a 24v into.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Finally have the .igs file with the engine mount tower CMM data. I imported into OnShape and did some work. A MUCH cleaner design results.

[notanawdix80]

I got the pickup tube, thanks!

Lately, I've been staring at the engine that's been in my garage for the last 4 years, and really considering doing the initial swap without AWD. The RWD 24v pans clear the ix subframe easily without any modification required - and I could have this swap complete with only having to finish the engine, and not a rebuild of the whole AWD system.



I'm curious how it actually drives without the front wheels being powered. I've heard both good and bad but it's not done often. Also I would only do it until such time that I can finally get a AWD pan fabricated and rebuild my front CV shafts (which are in sad, sad shape).

I drive my ix without the front power.

It's not horrible. I've never been to a track though.

I'm ready replacing worn out stuff from the suspension so probably i'm gonna test it on the track some day and i will tell you haha

[nando]

I got the pickup tube, thanks!

Lately, I've been staring at the engine that's been in my garage for the last 4 years, and really considering doing the initial swap without AWD. The RWD 24v pans clear the ix subframe easily without any modification required - and I could have this swap complete with only having to finish the engine, and not a rebuild of the whole AWD system.



I'm curious how it actually drives without the front wheels being powered. I've heard both good and bad but it's not done often. Also I would only do it until such time that I can finally get a AWD pan fabricated and rebuild my front CV shafts (which are in sad, sad shape).

[AWDBOB]

Does anyone need a spare iX oil pickup tube for modification? I have one on a motor that's going bye bye. PM me.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Well maybe we can figure something out. S/M5x swaps are easy, but BMW isn't building any more M5x engines and the N-series engines are the future.