M62B44 1991 318is Swap

[CMart]

I have the garagtastic mounts.

Actually measuring is probably the best route though.

[LoneWolf]

You're just gonna have to get it all in and take a measurement. It's the only way you will know for sure.

If you're making you're own mounts especially, just too many things that could differ between your build and anyone else's.

[CMart]

image

Did some cleaning up after totally parting my 2000 540i and now I have the E30 ready and just need to yank the motor out of the 1998.

I still need to figure a few things out one of which being the driveshaft.

Anyone sure on what how much you need to shorter the E30 driveshaft to use the 6 speed out of the 540?

[CMart]

Another BUMP.

Finally cleared up space in my garage. E30 is gutted and ready for the M62.

From what I understand I use the 540i front with the 318 rear and shorten the overall length of the 318 7mm. Is that correct?

Outside of that I have all the parts I need and just need to find some time.

[CMart]

Bump on this - do I just need to reduce 7mm from the e30 shaft while using the front of the e39 shaft?

That is what I've put together by searching.

[CMart]

I have 1 e30 driveshaft and 2 e39 540i driveshafts.

What should the total length be?

[JGood]

For the 6 speed, you need the 540i driveshaft flange welded on to the e30 driveshaft of your choice. It will obviously need shortened as well.

For the 5 speed, you can use an e36 328i, e30 m3, or late e30 325e driveshaft, and it will bolt right up.

[CMart]

I bought a 1998 540i to avoid the TU headache.

Can I use a shortened E30 318is driveshaft along with my 6 speed trans or do I need a modified E30 M3 driveshaft?

I keep reading I need the E30 M3, but it looks like my 318 one will work once shortened.

[CMart]

What year 540i should I be looking for? I don't want the unnecessary headache.

[Vtec?lol]

Before you keep going you need to define your end goal much better.



If you want to learn and money and time are not and issue, stick with the M62TU. Every other V8 swap will be easy after that (including S62).



If you want to build a V8 E30 and sell it for a profit. STOP now, part your 540 and sell your E30 as is (or part it depending on condition). There is NO way to put any V8 in your E30 and make more money than selling the E30 and part seperately.


If you just want the cheapest and easiest V8 in your E30 then part your entire 540 and buy a M60 or a Ford 5.0L and have fun.

The S62 has more wiring, as it uses dual VANOS vice single, throttle by wire, active sump solenoids, etc.

I'm not sure if the software part of getting the DME's to function in an E30 would be similar either. The S62 uses the MSS52 DME from Siemens... Not sure what the M62TU uses.

M62tu uses a bosch M72 or 74

[The Dark Side of Will]

Ouch. What a buzz kill.

Isn't the M62TU swap the same as an S62 swap in terms of electrical complexity?

To the OP...
as long as you know what you are in for, do your swap and have fun with it.

The S62 has more wiring, as it uses dual VANOS vice single, throttle by wire, active sump solenoids, etc.

I'm not sure if the software part of getting the DME's to function in an E30 would be similar either. The S62 uses the MSS52 DME from Siemens... Not sure what the M62TU uses.

[CMart]

All good info thanks.

I just received a very tempting offer on this car as is. If I were to sell and buy another what would I be on the looking for next ideally? A non TU E39 or E34?

[Vtec?lol]

Before you keep going you need to define your end goal much better.

If you want to learn and money and time are not and issue, stick with the M62TU. Every other V8 swap will be easy after that (including S62).

If you want to build a V8 E30 and sell it for a profit. STOP now, part your 540 and sell your E30 as is (or part it depending on condition). There is NO way to put any V8 in your E30 and make more money than selling the E30 and part seperately.


If you just want the cheapest and easiest V8 in your E30 then part your entire 540 and buy a M60 or a Ford 5.0L and have fun.

Wise words. You will not get more for an e30 by swapping a v8 in. You will get more by making it as original as possible and swapping a straight 6 in it.

End goal is to have a running V8 E30 and know I can handle the S62 swap. S62 swap is the ultimate goal and I am interested to hear more about the comparison you made between this swap and the S62.

Time and money are not an issue.

I am not doing this to make money, but that isn't to say I am looking to waste any. If I can 5 speed swap it for $1200 cheaper than 6 speed that is the route I will take.

Start with an s62 then. That motor is swapped in many of different cars and you might be able to snag an ecu for the low.
It makes no sense whatsoever to start with an m62.

If you say you want to save money, and then say money is not an issue... I'd have to tell you to do the smart thing. Part it out and buy and s62 and trans.


I forgot to add,
There's a guy overseas than can tune the ecu and remove a lot of the stuff on it to make it run. Last I've checked it cost around $2,200. That would get the engine running properly. This is what S62 swap guys do.

Just to clarify, my above post is there to deter you from trying to use e39 electrics in the e30 without having the ecu modified.

[CMart]

End goal is to have a running V8 E30 and know I can handle the S62 swap. S62 swap is the ultimate goal and I am interested to hear more about the comparison you made between this swap and the S62.

Time and money are not an issue.

I am not doing this to make money, but that isn't to say I am looking to waste any. If I can 5 speed swap it for $1200 cheaper than 6 speed that is the route I will take.

[_JohnnyD_]

Before you keep going you need to define your end goal much better.

The only reason I am doing this is to learn the ropes for a S62 swap. So maybe this IS the best way to go in my case?

If you want to learn and money and time are not and issue, stick with the M62TU. Every other V8 swap will be easy after that (including S62).

From what I have seen E30s with BMW V8s sell for more than LSX E30s. So if I can build it for cheaper and sell it for more that just makes more sense.

If you want to build a V8 E30 and sell it for a profit. STOP now, part your 540 and sell your E30 as is (or part it depending on condition). There is NO way to put any V8 in your E30 and make more money than selling the E30 and part seperately.


If you just want the cheapest and easiest V8 in your E30 then part your entire 540 and buy a M60 or a Ford 5.0L and have fun.