1989 325is- 24v swapped and other goodies

[RSGM]

^ I've had 4->5 lug adapters on for a little over a year now and love them.

OP, m systems look great. I usually don't like 17s but they look good and you arn't even that low. :thumbup:

[e30austin]

Bump.

[e30austin]

Been on the fence about what the fate of this car will be for the last couple months. But today, I said to hell with it and drove 2+ hours north to Tacoma and picked up a 132k miles S50 for this car. It was pulled from a running car in favor of an S52.

Plan is to do all the maintenance type stuff before I put it in. Plan on doing valve cover gasket, timing cover seals, oil pan gasket, oil pickup gasket, rear main seal, aluminum tstat housing, tstat with gasket, water pump, serp belt and a new 140a alternator. My M50 was dropped in 65k ago and the clutch was replaced at that time. I'm still on the fence on buying a new one. I will probably just buy one. I hope to not do anything to this car again for a pretty long while.

I think I will rip the M50 out this upcoming weekend, so long as all my parts get ordered and the S50 is ready for insertion by week's end. I still need to order headers, tie rods and all the little misc parts for the E36 steering rack swap (I figure I'll just do that while I'm in there, it'll be easier than doing it later on.)

I also picked up a UUC System U with E36 M midsection a few months back. It should sound pretty sweet (and loud) behind this S50 :)

I'm pretty fucking excited, to say the least! It's been a while since I've been this excited about something and I can't wait to start this swap.

Also, any suggestions for headers, besides the eBay china headers? Really would like to avoid that route if I can, but it's looking like I'll have to go that route.

[jt223539]

A step above ebay headers, even though it is a small one, is Raceland headers.

Or if you really want to spend some money I think any e36 s50 header would work. Although after looking for myself, I couldn't imagine spending 800+ for a set of headers.

[e30austin]

A step above ebay headers, even though it is a small one, is Raceland headers.

Or if you really want to spend some money I think any e36 s50 header would work. Although after looking for myself, I couldn't imagine spending 800+ for a set of headers.

I think that's what I'll end up doing. Just need something that isn't stock exhaust manifolds. Lol.

There's no way I'd spend that much on headers. I'd love a set of Ireland Engineering SS headers, but to my disappointment, they aren't being produced anymore. Definitely wish I bought a set last year.

[Butler]

Congrats on the S50. The E38 weave is the perfect E30 wheel! Your car looks great.

I have the $130 ebay ss headers and love them. I'd suggest them in a heart beat. The $$/HP is worth the upgrade.... no i dont have dyno results. :roll:

[jt223539]

I think that's what I'll end up doing. Just need something that isn't stock exhaust manifolds. Lol.

There's no way I'd spend that much on headers. I'd love a set of Ireland Engineering SS headers, but to my disappointment, they aren't being produced anymore. Definitely wish I bought a set last year.

I agree. Although I think every set of aftermarket headers look beautiful.

Do you have any other plans for your s50 besides headers?

[e30austin]

Congrats on the S50. The E38 weave is the perfect E30 wheel! Your car looks great.

I have the $130 ebay ss headers and love them. I'd suggest them in a heart beat. The $$/HP is worth the upgrade.... no i dont have dyno results. :roll:

Thanks man! That is probably the route I'll go.

I agree. Although I think every set of aftermarket headers look beautiful.

Do you have any other plans for your s50 besides headers?

Not really. Maybe some cams eventually. Don't have the coin or desire to do a rebuild til the time comes. lol

[ZekeTheSneak]

MMMMM m-systems! The turbine caps cant work with the style fives right? LuckyHenricksens Booty shot with the euro bumpers is epic!

[e30austin]

MMMMM m-systems! The turbine caps cant work with the style fives right? LuckyHenricksens Booty shot with the euro bumpers is epic!

The turbine center caps would have worked if I had them. Haha.

[ZekeTheSneak]

So your saying that they can? Tempting as a track wheel but another set of adapters aren't cheap.

[e30austin]

So your saying that they can? Tempting as a track wheel but another set of adapters aren't cheap.

I didn't read your original question fully. Whoops. You are asking if you can run M System turbine covers on E38 style 5s? If so, no, it's not possible.

[e30austin]

Little update. Sent my E36 harness down to a local buddy of mine to have the E30 connector hard wired on so I don't have to use an adapter. Also, ordered almost every gasket for the S50 through Blunt (thanks again Steve) along with some other misc maintenance bs stuff. If everything I ordered arrives here before Friday, I hope to have the S50 in and running by Sunday night/Monday morning!

Maybe I'll start a new thread for this S50 build...

[e30austin]

Almost everything showed up from Blunt tonight. DSSR and the last box from Blunt should be here tomorrow. Hoping my headers will arrive too. Harness was finished tonight, as well.

I also caved and bought a set of M-Systems for a very attractive price. I'm pretty stoked. This car is finally coming together!

New thread incoming for my S50 build.

[esthero]

nice car!
both wheels look great on your car.
what tire size did you run when you had the turbines?
i just picked up myself a set of staggered 17x8 and 17x9 m-system and cant decide the size.