E21 S50 Swap

[TrentW]

This is a cool swap Jake. I've always thought of doing an E21 with an S14, but as others have said, finding one without lots of cancer is difficult to say the least.

The owner must bring to VintageFest next year.

And Steve could bring his E12 instead of a motorhome. ;)

[fresh_TD]

Putting volvo brakes back together after power coating.

Looks good:D

Sent from my GS4 Active

[jakeb]

Putting volvo brakes back together after power coating.

[jakeb]

I did forget that that the m5x/s5x has a 2nd rad hose and it needs to T into the return tank. The radiator shouldn't actually have a cap. So the radiator I bought is going to either get returned or the cap removed.

But also now that the engine is 1/2" further back a stock BMW radiator does fit. So....I am going to look for hoses that fit either the giffen rad or the BMW rad and will decide which one I will end up running.

This is an e30 M42 radiator.

[sgmira_e30]

This is rad. lookin good man!

[jakeb]

Well I ended up having to remake the mounts (or adjust a bit). The ones above put it right where everything fit well but when I made the trans mount I found that the stock e36 shifter carrier was about 1/2" forward in the hole. So it was worth changing the mounts to center it and not have to make something else for the shifter.

Then after adjusting the mounts the intake wouldn't clear the booster. So I had to adjust them again...everything clears now.

The trans mount is just tacked together in these pics. Once it comes out it will be fully welded and then cleaned up before coating.




Shifter carrier






Pushed back even further than above.






The ribs on the intake had to be shaved down to clear. Booster is closer but it is more than it looks in this picture. Also the engine really doesn't move at all so no chance it could hit.


Some general pictures

[MR 325]

Looking good! I like the rad too.

[jakeb]

Passenger side mount.


From above


More than likely I will put a little piece like this below the mount. Just to make sure it is all supported.


Drivers side


From below


Same thing I will put a little piece below...(similar to this)

[jakeb]

Griffen Radiator





Beginning of the mounts, 1.5" ID DOM, poly bushing, water jet mounting ears


Drivers side will be either here.


or here


How the other piece of DOM will connect (this is a scrap piece)

[MJCRO]

Looks good.

[JCarp90]

Very cool. I will be following this.

[jhaurimn]

Very awesome progress so far. Your attention to detail is amazing. No skimping here :D

[jakeb]

I bought set of cheap ebay e36 headers to try out...these are what a lot of the e30 swap guys run.

Here are the headers.


Figuring out just where the engine will live...pictures are in no particular order.


Trans centered in the tunnel


End of the headers


The pan is right about the same height as the subframe. This car will not be super low so if someone were to go really low a skid plate might not be a bad idea. Still adjusting the engine placement tho so...


Headers will need a little adjustment or the heat shield will need some adjustment.








Clearance at the booster...it's close but more than what this picture shows. Ribs on the manifold will get smoothed down to give more room.




Engine is pushed pretty far back...




Will be running a 323 radiator or an aftermarket that will fit. You can see the 320 cover panel removed here. All the hoses will get welded up and smoothed





Originally mounts where going to be sitting on e28 535 rubber but I am thinking of going a different route and will make mounts like I did on the LS3 E36.
Here was the first idea...As you can see the engine is lower than the metal on the mount. I think this will make the mounts not as strong.


So I am planning to put the rubber..well poly at the engine itself. Like I did with the LS3 E36..as shown here.


An idea of how they will fit/look on the e21.


The drivers side will get a similar mount..but here was the first idea, which would work but I want both sides to match.

First idea

[Motorsports]

was looking into getting a e21, but the seller wont return my calls.

[jakeb]

Volvo and 323 calipers back from power coating.



Moved over to the lift...




Top of the tunnel where the shift linkage was hitting. It will get clearanced here just a bit.


Where the marker is is where the oil pan was trimmed...I thought I took a picture after it was trimmed but I guess not.


Waiting on a set of e36 headers to see if they will clear without having to make anything.