91' 318is S52 Swap "The Beast"

[craiggroves91]

I got Black and yellow plates a while ago. I dig em



DO NOT USE E36 MISHIMOTO RADIATORS. I went through two during a 4 year period. They leak at the rows on both sides due to poor engineering and I have heard of people having the same problem. Use a Z3M radiator instead!


Replaced the VC gasket yesterday since it was leaking. Hard to tell so soon but it might still be leaking...not sure why. Could be a warped Valve cover


Finally got my Momo race wheel on. It's small, but I enjoy it.


Tried getting my strut housings ready for the GC conversion kit. I bought them already welded up, but I needed to do some grinding






Having a hell of a time trying to figure out what shocks to run with shortened strut housings and 550 front and 700 rear springs.

[craiggroves91]

Sucks minus took a dump and now all my pictures are missing :(

[craiggroves91]

Needs a tune ;)

I've honestly been wanting to have you tune for me but don't I have the funds atm...what are you charging?

[328ijunkie]

Needs a tune ;)

[jph]

I'm a little late to the party, but epic thread. Good job man!

[craiggroves91]

Good read man, will definitely be consulting this thread and the OBDII thread you have when i swap my '87. My S52 is on the stand now, just got the old oil pan off to stark poking around.

Also really good to see that the Mason strut brace will fit with the plastic wiring covers. I did a quickie test-fit with mine and it didn't seem like there would be enough room. About how much clearance do you have between the center section of the brace that the center cover?

Thanks for the compliments
It's either touching or very very close. Good luck with your swap!!

[craiggroves91]

Mind me asking what your overall cost was in this build? I am picking up my a e30 of my own today and not sure whether I should go S52 or M6x! HALP lol

I have spent over 7k I believe!

[BlackSpeed66]

Good read man, will definitely be consulting this thread and the OBDII thread you have when i swap my '87. My S52 is on the stand now, just got the old oil pan off to stark poking around.

Also really good to see that the Mason strut brace will fit with the plastic wiring covers. I did a quickie test-fit with mine and it didn't seem like there would be enough room. About how much clearance do you have between the center section of the brace that the center cover?

[csm-e30]

Mind me asking what your overall cost was in this build? I am picking up my a e30 of my own today and not sure whether I should go S52 or M6x! HALP lol

[craiggroves91]

I can't believe I haven't posted in forever :(

I never come on r3v anymore cause of school and I haven't done anything to my car really.

I miss being able to throw some money at it

[Mistawall]

wow lol i feel like a just read a story book! loving your build i also have a 91 318is discwartz color or however you spell it. my motor pretty much sh!t the bed 2 weeks ago and i had some extra moneys so i just picked up an s52 (e30 m3 has been my dream for the last 15 years at least, had this 318is since 2005 and owned a plethora of other 3 series before that) hopefully the engine is alright although it has 184,000 pulled from a rolled 98 m3 but engine still ran. wish me luck! gonna start my own build thread soon

[craiggroves91]

dude this whole thread is amazing. im in san francisco and will be doing an s52 swap whenever i have the money. how much did your swap cost?
you should come through and help when i do it! it would be nice to get a person that has done it helping haha!

thanks man! Good luck with your swap when you take it on! Um I want to say it was around 6-7k with everything.

Your 318is is pretty damn HOT. Maybe ill see you on 680 one day, Im also in the bay.

Thanks!! I take 680 a ton to head to livermore so maybe you will see me!

[meppadua]

Your 318is is pretty damn HOT. Maybe ill see you on 680 one day, Im also in the bay.

[mazie30]

dude this whole thread is amazing. im in san francisco and will be doing an s52 swap whenever i have the money. how much did your swap cost?
you should come through and help when i do it! it would be nice to get a person that has done it helping haha!

[craiggroves91]

sub'd

Awesome! I see you're a drummer too :)
I've been drumming awhile now