E30 S52 motor swap?

[randomtask37]

Ian doesnt think that would be appropriate.

Drew doesnt think that u think that i think that u think that that would be appropriate.

anyway, obd1 swap doesnt seem that difficult. im sure with some guidance u could pull it off easily.

[nando]

it is more work though.. call me lazy but I'd rather just get the S50 motor and drop it in with as little effort as possible. :)

that's an excellent write up btw, maybe next year I'll be able to use it for something. ;)

[Bryson]

AKGs wiring isn't good though. god the swap is easy
wow i'm 9/10 asleep on ambien

[808BMW]

AKGs wiring isn't good though.

What is bad about AKG's wiring?

[Bryson]

it's not complete

[Ryan Stewart]

What else is needed? Share with the people!

I am amassing parts and just found out that I am going to be making a lot more this summer than I anticipated so this is definately the summer for it.

[808BMW]

What else is needed? Share with the people!

Yes, please. I will be working contruction full-time starting this summer so I can finally stop being a poor HS'er and actually do some serious mods.

[JasonH]

Here is a pretty good link for converting a motor from OBD-II to OBD-I:

http://www.midnightautowerks.com/Installs/95intake/install.html

As for the AKG wiring, it is incomplete for a few reasons. For starters, it doesn't give you what you need for speed input/output, fuel rate, etc. It also isn't clear on the oil level sender wiring. In addition, the wiring is a little different going through C101 for the later E30's. Bryson, did I leave any of the general problems out?

[Bryson]

i think it's missing the check engine light and/or diagnostic plug wire also

[RedBaron86325]

All I remember is comparing Orca wiring and AKG wiring while scratching my head saying, "hey, it's your car, you do the fucking wiring". There were quite a few differences especially if you went by color.

[JasonH]

All I remember is comparing Orca wiring and AKG wiring while scratching my head saying, "hey, it's your car, you do the fucking wiring". There were quite a few differences especially if you went by color.

LMAO! That wasn't a fun moment. Thank goodness for our friends at Widmer Breweries.

That is a good point for those looking at doing the swap. The two most accessible sources for wiring are the AKG website and the ORCA CD. That excludes having Pete McHenry do a "custom" wiring diagram for you. Granted, he will save you a lot headaches (hell, he allegedly has done or provided assistance in dozens of swaps) , but it isn't an option if you are masachistic like I am and want the challenge, have an aversion to wiring, or if you don't want to shell out $450 for him to do it. I ended up leaning more towards the ORCA CD and verifying everything best I could using wiring diagrams. I have talked to a couple of people who have started using the AKG wiring and then had to start all over using the ORCA CD. That is NOT to say the ORCA CD is all that great either, though. Just verify everything you do.

[Ryan Stewart]

Thanks for the info Bryson. Im going to digest it and try and have as many ducks in a row before undertaking this so I can minimize the hitches.

[JasonH]

You are welcome.

[Bryson]

Jason was my source on the orca CD, so his response was appropriate :P

they don't provide a certain wire for airbag equipped cars, and a few of us have had problems with the tach, but mine went flawlessly with 0 problems (knock on wood) ;) so I guess it's all in the prep and prior knowledge

If anybody looking to do the swap has access to a completed one to look at/ ask questions about. That would probably be your biggest asset. It goes so much easier if you know what you're doing.
tip: make a friend do it first so he can be the guinea pig :P mwahahaha

[M-technik-3]

Blunt's S52 done