Using an M62B44

[alco]

Hey guys,

I'm collecting parts for an M6xB4x swap into my E30. At this point I'd rather not pick up a fifth vehicle to begin this swap. As it is, I own four cars (soon to be two if I can sell the winter rat and the spare E36.) In any case, I'm trying to do this without picking up any more cars. So I'm hunting for parts.

The other day I found an M62B44 from 98 with about 100K miles on it. The motor comes with its harness and seems like it'll clean up nicely. The problem is there is no ECU. I think/am pretty sure this motor would have come with the EWS module and what not.

I would rather not have to put the M60B40 timing cover and what not on the motor to make this work if I can help it so I'm trying to make this a go with the M62B44 as it stands and an M62B44 ECU if at all possible.

My questions are:

Is it possible to delete EWS from the ECU, and would the ECU be okay with this or does a disabled EWS box have to be present?

What if any 530i transmission bell housings have the crank position sensor bracket?

If there are no 530i 5 speeds manuals with he CPS bracket on board, can I simply swap the M60B40 lower timing cover and just the front pulley and call it done?

I'd just rather not fool around with swapping over other harnesses or what have you.

I haven't yet purchased the motor yet and have a few days to figure this out but so far I've not come across any M60B40s that are viable swap candidates in the Northeast. Thanks.

[Jonsku]

-Yes, EWS can be disabled (e.g. Tino / www.e30.de)
-E39 535 5-speed transmissions have the crank position sensor brackets

[Jean]

There were no E39 535 cars in the states.

[iamsam]

I like how many "x"s we can use now in engine codes. What would I generically call the 24v M50-based engine family? The X5x?

[alco]

How about E39 540i? I suppose I could try importing a 535 transmission but that sounds like it would be prohibitively expensive...

[iamsam]

which E39 540? vanos or non-vanos?

[Jean]

e39 540 = 6 speed tranny, it uses a flywheel sensor. at least the later ones with m62tu

[iamsam]

which E39 540? vanos or non-vanos?

whoops I thought you meant engine-wise.

[alco]

In that case I must import a 535 transmission from Europe or change the crank pulley and timing cover or weld on the bracket onto the timing cover and change the crank pulley, yes?

In any case, with the timing cover and crank pulley mod, I could then use an older 530 5-speed transmission, yes?

[Jean]

In that case I must import a 535 transmission from Europe or change the crank pulley and timing cover or weld on the bracket onto the timing cover and change the crank pulley, yes?

In any case, with the timing cover and crank pulley mod, I could then use an older 530 5-speed transmission, yes?

Yes. Easiest would be to weld the bracket, as you don't just swap the timing covers but do it along with timing components behind it as well.

[alco]

I don't mean to be dense. But by timing components you mean, the double row gear as well?

I thought I was doing the welded on bracket, and the crank pulley and appropriate CPS.

Will/should this conversion include, timing gear sprocket at the crank as well? And does that mean I'm running dual chains or can I run single chain on the double sprocket (just using whichever set of teeth actually line up properly.)

Again I do not mean to pester, I just want to get it right. I'm working with a local BMW shop here to do some of the more difficult parts of the conversion but would like to not burden them too much/aka raise cost. :D

[Jean]

To put it simply, you can't just convert the m62 timing components as bolt on/off with m60 stuff with the front timing covers as the m62 cams are different, so it requires more work than a simple timing cover swap.

If you search here in the forum you'll see various options.

a) leave the m62 internals alone, and weld bracket for sensor, use m60 wiring
b) same as above but make m62 wiring work with getting someone to work out ews out of m62 dme
c) use m60 parts on the m62 to make it a hybrid in a way, you get the 4.4L bottom end and not worry about earlier issues of b40 blocks...and the use the b40 heads and timing components as well.

these are the 3 common ways.

[MonkeyMadness]

You can also drill and mount the crank sensor on bottom drivers side of the bellhousing.

I also have a full harness and Dme for a 98 NonVanos cheap, really cheap... if you need it.

also.. Converting to M60 harness and setup on the B44 isn't as hard as one would think.
I just finished up my swap to M60 stuff on my B44...

[alco]

Thanks for being patient with me guys, I have searched and read through numerous threads, yes.

The reason I ask the question about pulley is that it looks like a completely different part, no teeth, than the M60 pulley.

MonkeyMadness I will be reading your thread momentarily. I am intrigued by the drill and mount on the bottom driver's side as an option, using the B44 harness that the motor will be coming with. I should be able to get the EWS deleted through a friend's shop that builds cars locally for track and has access to the tech required to reflash DMEs etc.

I may take you up on your offer for the harness and DME. I will let you know after doing some more reading. Thanks!

[Jonsku]

One option would be of course drilling the hole to M60-originated 5-spd transmission. If I recall correctly, there is flat space for the sensor already in the bellhousing. Just need to measure it carefully (from any M62 - originated transmission). Not too bad a job.