Daily Driver s52 Sedan. The Silberbullet.

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Update 7/18/2013:

I purchased some autobavarian lowering springs along with a set of bilstein shocks front and rear with 5k on them. I also put the following in the mail today:

-control arms
-control arm bushings
-sway end links
-sway bushings
-inner/outer tie rods and lock washers
-rear shock mounts

And I believe that is it. I just rolled the fenders and will be installing the springs tomorrow to make sure I do not need to roll them further as I only have the roller for 24 hours.

I can not wait to refresh the suspension, it is so worn out I have a wobble over 45mph.

I will be doing full detail once the suspension is all done, and I have an exhaust shop put a few hangers on the exhaust I ran. I will get exhaust pictures soon.

I still need an air filter and would like to get an m3 harness cover, does anyone have part numbers for the m3 covers? I also might end up putting some e90 drop hats in if I am not rubbing at all and have more room to go down. I want a fully functional car though.

[ksjdan]

Nice build thread :up: I am planning on taking on the S52 swap as well!

[TMACE30]

Good work man!

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Thanks, I will have some good photos here in the next two weeks.

[nqphoto]

Very nice build dude. Can't wait for the updates

[Link]

Hey been awhile sense my last update, I was busy with getting the car in good enough shape to daily drive and move back to college. The car is up and running good, although there is a lot I want to do on the car still before I would call it finished. But it will be a slow task gathering parts with my college budget. I hope to do some maintenance on the motor when I go home for breaks. I have about 1k budgeted to put into the car. And then I will have to wait until I can get another job.

Anyways onto some pictures, props if you read my ramble.











And for good fun a picture of my old car I sold a friend, who then wrecked it drunk driving. Luckily no one was hurt. It was a 2004 STi with light mods done, all by myself.





Thanks for reading guys.

[drulle]

Hi, I am Paul
Just read your complete swap thread and what can I say - good job man!
Everything looking great and I am sure it was worth it.
I recently picked up another wrecked 98 m3 and this time I plan on swapping s52 into my 89 325is.
I am debating to stay obd2 or convert the motor to obd1, got a complete car, so obd2 is more appealing from $$$ point.
I do have a few questions if you don't mind...
What flywheel / clutch setup you ended up using?
Exhaust setup?
How much $$ ecu flashing and wiring harness work cost you?
Any issues with brake booster / brakes after moving it over 1/2"? Seems like a great idea.
I would appreciate any help or advise. You could PM me if it is more convenient.
Looking forward to 24v my e30 this winter.
Thanks

[franky2fingaz]

sweet ride.. why did you have to use the 8mm spacers? was there a clearance issue? I was researching a 15x8 225/50 setup but prefer no spacers... cheers

[Link]

drulle your answers:
I used a m3 stock clutch set up, it was spendy but I didnt want any weird noises.
I made a custom exhaust with a friend, single 2.5in all the way back, will tuck it higher this summer. ECU and wiring were spendy, look around for pricing. No problems with the brakes. Seem to work good, look forward to upgrading at some point to a more powerful brake. will also PM you.

and yes spacers for clearance issues.

[Link]

UPDATE: 8/27/2013

Picked up some parts today. Excited to get them in. Here is a picture, more to come tomorrow when they are installed.



And a picture of the winter set up for fun. I have added a thule wind thing for the racks. Will take a picture soon as well.



Thanks for looking, check back soon. Hopefully will do keyless entry near christmas.

[Dylanhat]

Looks great

[redsubdivisions]

Sometimes I wonder if I should have followed this route instead of turbo. Looks awesome! Maybe I will go this route when I get another E30.

[Link]

UPDATE: 11/28/13

Between family breakfast and dinner today I managed to spend some time on my car today. I got the new glove box installed I picked up, also installed Houndstooth door panels on the interior. As well I now have a cigarette lighter rather than an empty hole. Pictures to come soon.

I have a non-ASC intake boot ordered, a new antenna grommet so I can install a functioning antenna, and a M3 harness cover for the passenger side. Trying to get this car more completed.

[ksjdan]

Hey I was reading some of the previous comments, and thought of a quick question to ask you concerning slave cylinders. I dont know which route you went for tranny, but if you go with a e36 m3 trans, do you use the e36 m3 slave or e30?

Sometimes I wonder if I should have followed this route instead of turbo. Looks awesome! Maybe I will go this route when I get another E30.

In my opinion, 24v swap is a better option than force induction. It'll be just as much work rebuilding a m20 (maybe a little less), but the turbo increases the volatility of a engine failure. Minus the VANOS, I think the m52/s52 are reliable.

[DesertBMW]

In my opinion, 24v swap is a better option than force induction. It'll be just as much work rebuilding a m20 (maybe a little less), but the turbo increases the volatility of a engine failure. Minus the VANOS, I think the m52/s52 are reliable.

I agree with this totally. The M52 engines are cheap now, very reliable, easy to install, have plenty of power, increases the value of your E30, looks cleaner than M20 in E30 bay, people who don't know E30 think 24v is the stock engine because it looks so clean and tight fit.