E46 M3 cluster swap

[nando]

I think I'm going to pretty much follow what that other guy did. Will use my router to cut the peices out that I need, and finally use the 2' square peice of black plastic I bought 5 years ago for something. Gotta build a router table for it first. :p

finished up some of the wiring. I decided not to use the E46 light switch (too many complications, although it could be done..). I figured out what needed to be done to manually activate the backlights, turn signals, fog light indicator, and high beam indicator. Will have to use some relays for the turns, fog, and high beam lights (they're activated by ground on the E46, and +12v on the E30). The backlight is just regular +12v, so power from the light switch will work fine. It's totally reversable too, should I ever decide I want rain sensing wipers and automatic headlights. check panel will still work normally (except oil level, which I don't care about, and it doesn't work now anyway).

the wiring will be done with an "adapter" board that will hold the relays (x4). The hardest signal is actually the fuel level sensor - the E46 sensors are wired in parallel, the E30 in series. I'm hoping I can put a small resistor on the 2nd input, wire the E30 sensors to the 1st input, and recalibrate it. Then my 13 button OBC will still function 100% :)

[James Crivellone]

I think I'm going to pretty much follow what that other guy did. Will use my router to cut the peices out that I need, and finally use the 2' square peice of black plastic I bought 5 years ago for something. Gotta build a router table for it first. :p

finished up some of the wiring. I decided not to use the E46 light switch (too many complications, although it could be done..). I figured out what needed to be done to manually activate the backlights, turn signals, fog light indicator, and high beam indicator. Will have to use some relays for the turns, fog, and high beam lights (they're activated by ground on the E46, and +12v on the E30). The backlight is just regular +12v, so power from the light switch will work fine. It's totally reversable too, should I ever decide I want rain sensing wipers and automatic headlights. check panel will still work normally (except oil level, which I don't care about, and it doesn't work now anyway).

the wiring will be done with an "adapter" board that will hold the relays (x4). The hardest signal is actually the fuel level sensor - the E46 sensors are wired in parallel, the E30 in series. I'm hoping I can put a small resistor on the 2nd input, wire the E30 sensors to the 1st input, and recalibrate it. Then my 13 button OBC will still function 100% :)

How are you powering the OBC? Doing a quick adapter to run straight into the OBC harness and bypass the former cluster connection?

[nando]

Im making an adapter that will have c1, c2, & c3 conectors and the appropriate connections to the cluster.

[Sean]

Cool!

[nando]

no more SMG display. :)

now to decide - do I remove the "check" display on the left and replace with a similar gauge - maybe digital oil pressure?

DSC warning lamp will become my "check" indicator.. would be nice if I could figure out how to manually activate the OBC functions too.

[DEV0 E30]

Do work as they say.

I understand the appeal.

But if any car I own is getting a new cluster over it's OEM it will be an AIM/STACK or an S2000 cluster (coolest cluster in an attainable production car IMO). Such modification will only be needed when whatever car can rev to 9k!

[FredK]

^ F20C swap.

[nando]

this cluster was $119 shipped.. yeah.. how many thousands does an AIM or Stack system cost? :p

plus my M20 already revs higher than the stock tach...

[DEV0 E30]

^ F20C swap.

I know, but I still want torque though. I know not going with the f20 makes it 10x harder.

this cluster was $119 shipped.. yeah.. how many thousands does an AIM or Stack system cost? :p

plus my M20 already revs higher than the stock tach...

Jus' sayin' :p

They are way too much, you're right about that.

[nando]

I can probably get most of my money back selling my working E30 cluster. :p

[James Crivellone]

lol at edibas cable under the cluster :)

I've been glancing at the E46 M3 WDS and its not looking too complicated to make it work. The OBC functions may take a little tinkering through eh ;)

[nando]

Heck yeah! I've also got a PA Soft 1.4, but it's not really that useful if you've got INPA/BMW Tools.

just be aware that the engine functions all have to go through a stock DME (for now). Fortunately, an MSS54 without an EWS module is nearly useless, so they're cheap. :)

Some work on the CAN protocol could make it totally standalone, although I'm not sure, some of the oil temp measurements are based on some sort of model, and I don't know if that's done in the cluster or the DME.

Anyway, I don't expect this is going to become a "common" mod, if you know what i mean.. It's just an intermediate step for me. :)

[nando]

a little update:



wideband AFR on left, oil pressure on right. :)

still some minor tweaking to get gauge placement justright.. the oil pressure one is a bit too high, just gotta shift it down a little bit. the oil pressure gauge is from glowshift, surprisingly high quality, and seriously the SMALLEST damn SMD components I've ever had the misfortune to solder..

[nando]

almost done... not.

[DEV0 E30]

That's looking really good. Can't wait to see the finished product.