order of drivetrain in iX

[BimmerScreamer]

So I am researching doing a S52 swap into my iX and I don't have my car near me, its in NH and I am in Boston.

I want to know what there is after the transmission? Is there a guibo and than the transfer case? does the t case bolt right up to the tranny? Is there a small shaft? Is the only mount that large round mount above the t case?

I have tried to get some help from RealOEM but haven't found anything. If anyone has a picture or diagrams of this area that would be great. I know I have looked at this before but can't remember exactly

[nando]

transfer case bolts up directly to the transmission, there is a flex disk between them - no shafts.

I think you would use the ix transmission with the S52 engine.

[BimmerScreamer]

yup its looking that way, I am not to concerned with doing the swap at all its how long everything stays together afterwards that I am worried about.

[nando]

it should be fine.

I would reccomend a couple things - all new seals in the TC, for one. You don't want that half quart of oil leaking out. I'd also consider using transmission oil rather than ATF.

Second, consider having the front driveshaft modified - add another inch to the splined section. This costs about $300 (a new OE shaft is $500). There is a guy who does this but I don't remember his contact information off hand, i'm sure you could find somebody to do this though. The only downside is the transfer case must be removed and installed with the shaft in place, but it's not actually to difficult to do.

Third - the #1 cause of stripped front driveshaft splines is improper lubrication. There is basically only one grade of lube that is fit for the pressure and enviromental exposure and it's not plain moly grease. The original stuff BMW used is hard to find (you can buy it in a 50 gallon drum if you want), but there is a similar lube that handles even more severe conditions you can get in a 16 oz tube for under $20, which is dow-corning Molykote BR2-Plus. This stuff won't squease out, wash out, dry out or oxidize, which causes the splines to rust and strip. 16oz is enough to do like 100 driveshafts so you'll never have to buy it again. :)

the rest of it should hold together fine, just don't do drag launches at every stop light. :p

[BimmerScreamer]

^^ you just listed half my to-do list, haha, its good to hear someone else agrees. Everything is going to get new fluid, tranny, t case, diffs. I'm going to pull the t case apart just to take a look around and replace the casing gasket. I want to do that soon but the barn where my car is I can see through the walls so this cold weather isn't helping. May 1st is the planned date to really get cookin on this.

[moatilliatta]

Im feeling a twin cam swap for sure, one day. Is the ix motor set at the same angle as the rwd e30's m20? I was told that the ix mounts is what you use for the twin cam swap. The swap to me seem like cake if true...

[BimmerScreamer]

I've never heard of iX mounts for a 24v swap but there seems to be a couple options. People usually want the iX brake booster for the swap. And I think the iX is going to have the same 10 degree issue has a normal RWD.

[moatilliatta]

thats just things ive herd, you can use the factory brake booster, but you have to do some changes.

[nando]

I've never heard of iX mounts for a 24v swap but there seems to be a couple options. People usually want the iX brake booster for the swap. And I think the iX is going to have the same 10 degree issue has a normal RWD.

i'm not sure if it changes the angle - but I'm pretty sure you use the ix mount arms.

[moatilliatta]

if it doesnt change the angle then the ix m20's set differently than the regular m20, ive been meaning to check in out. My ix is at the doc's though.

[BimmerScreamer]

Im hoping the iX arms mount up to the S52, I was under the impression that the 10 degree tilt comes from bolting the tranny to the 52

how would that vary with the iX? is the iX block that different? or is it the tranny

[nando]

I'm pretty surethe ix M20 is in a slightly different position anyway. if it changed the angle of the engine then a lot of things wouldn't line up - tranny mount, front driveshaft/oilpan, front CV axles, etc. I'm curious because nobody who has done this swap ever mentioned problems with the angles.

[BimmerScreamer]

how many people have actually done it? I have seen pics of Moonlite's, I have heard rumors of other people doing it but I like to see some sort of proof. There are pics of a S38 in an iX on e30tech

[nando]

not as many as RWD swaps but it's probably been done more often than you think. There used to be a full documented M50ix swap on e30tech but I don't know what happened to that thread.

[BimmerScreamer]

^^ was that the blue and purple one form like romania? i read that thread a while back, I dont think that car lasted long but he was doing donuts and stuff so small wonder, I also think I read that he was using two different ratios in the front and rear diff, If I remember correctly.