Wannabe30's s54 swap

[WannaBe30]

Wannabe30's s54 swap

Thanks for all the positive words. This project is really moving along even though I feel like I haven't spent that much time on it.


Bolted up the eBay headers today and I must say.... I wish I bought the longer studs with torx on the end and I still might. But for now i would not recommend buying eBay headers unless you like exhaust leaks.

The nuts that came off the block with the tuds in them fit back great other than a few of the holes didn't line up .. 2 or 3 overall

And also I couldn't get one but back on one of the studs because the headers are a lot thicker than the stock manifolds and the studs are not that long. But that particular hole on the headers the weld is actually blocking it so I will try to chisel the weld just a bit to get that nut on.

I also plan on re torquing everything after its ran a bit hoping it will kind of line everything up itself with heat

Also the 02 holes are obviously going to need to be relocated and I never understood why you need pre and post holes on headers when no one is going to add cats to headers???

Also even with the lollipops the front header is touching but I will be able to bend that a bit by heating it up..

All in all I guess you get what you pay for and I knew that going in as I have installed a different (slightly more expensive) headers on an s54 but that was in an e46 m3 and so I get not all fits are perfect.

For 150 shipped I defiantly got what I paid for but they will work for now

On to the few pics I took








Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WannaBe30]

So I've never installed an adjustable sway bar but it's there and attached. I will have to look into tweaking it the right way later. If anyone has any links feel free to share.

Here's what it looks like





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jb325is]

You want the sway rear facing arms of the sway bar to be parallel to the ground. Once you get the height set, tighten one end link then adjust the other so that it is free (you can move it freely with your fingers), then tighten it. All of this should be done with the car on the ground.

Sucks about the headers, but that's why I went with the SGT's. You gotta find a way to get those other nuts on, it's going to leak like hell

[WannaBe30]

So parallel to the ground while sitting on the ground? Fantastic. I'll adjust that today.

Yes I know I do i am probably going to get the longer e92 335 bolts with the torx ends and just re do it later

Thanks jb325is


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Andy Mechnic]

I can't wait to jump on this bandwagon..... everyone else is S54 swapping, why shouldn't I? :D

[WannaBe30]

Well I've made a lot of progress but didn't take many pictures.

I found some hoses that will work for the upper and lower radiator

I mounted the expansion tank in the battery tray

I plugged up the ecu and all the ground wires and everything except the temp sensor and the gas pedal

I'm still waiting on the gas pedal bracket and a tap to make a new hole for the temp sensor.

I did get the new fuel pump in

The massive booster delete is installed with the modified pedal and master cylinder.

I need to extend or make some new brake lines though since the master is now 3" closer to the fire wall

All in all I'm about 80-90% and pretty much ready to start her up in maybe a week


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ohrvik]

cool thread :)

[WannaBe30]

AN lines for the oil cooler:






Grinding the brake pedal

Bracket is gone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WannaBe30]

Been a very long time with no update but I did get it started and drivable.

Next stop is exhaust work. Here's a pic and video

https://vimeo.com/120619621


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jb325is]

Nice work!

I wouldn't drive it much like that, sounds like you've got a big miss.

[WannaBe30]

Before the maf was hooked up its a little better now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[marshallnoise]

Nasty exhaust leak the reason for the ticking?

[WannaBe30]

Yeah the headers are crap quality and leaking where it mounts to the head I'm gonna have that fixed this coming week


Here's a cold start up this morning

Does it still sound like its missing??https://vimeo.com/120800660


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[marshallnoise]

You could double up on the exhaust gaskets with a thin layer of rtv between them and probably get the seal right. Then see if you have an actual miss.

[WannaBe30]

I have a miss

I'm outta practice I use to catch those easy.

Also double up on the gaskets are not the problem the header flanges don't line up with holes for the threads


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk