89 325is S52 Swap

[BritishMike]

So I bought my E30 drooling over pictures of this swap and always said "One Day". Well after snagging a S52 this week it became a reality. I wanted to start this thread so some of you can point out all the shit Im doing wrong and stop me before I cause myself more pain!



Im Starting out with an 89 325is thats current engine its extremely tired in need of a rebuild so instead of forking over money for that I went the swap route.



For the Engine I just picked up a S52 with a recent complete rebuild. New pistons and bearings , freshly rebuilt head all the bells and whistles. Its already been OBD1 swapped with the m50 intake.

The plan is to get the all the parts ready and start the swap over the four day weekend for Christmas. This is a daily driver for me so the goal is no down time.
Parts List So far.
-Condor Engine and Trans +G260 Mount
-Mishimoto E36 Radior and Hoses
-E34 Pan, pick up tube, and dipstick

And everything else is still needed, haha.
Now the parts hunt begins.

[FreedomM3]

Looks like a great start! I'm digging the style 5s!

[BritishMike]

Looks like a great start! I'm digging the style 5s!

Thanks! Cant afford the RS wheels yet so these were as close as I could get I figured.

[FAM3OUS]

Cool stuff - mind PM'ing me what you paid for the s52? I will be selling mine soon so I would like some data points.

[BritishMike]

So here's an updated list of the parts gathering so far.




I stripped the exterior of the motor apart, going to replace pretty much every gasket except for the head gasket. I figure while its out of the car do as much as I can. Wiring has been my main worry point so far. Ive ordered a custom adapter and talked extensively with the guy making it. Hopefully all goes well. Everything is starting to arrive going to clean the block and re assemble. I'll post some pictures this weekend, but this is how we sit at the moment.

[BritishMike]

So I'm sorta new to the forum, I mainly use it for researching rather than corresponding with other members so I maybe not in the know with everyone. But do we have a resident electrical know-all guru? I have a Crank Position Sensor question. I'm getting ready to drop in a S52 previously converted to OBD1 in an E36 M3. I know I have the correct OBD1 harness. And from what I read the M44 CPS is a plug and play option. My questions is the M44 was a OBD2 engine will this sensor be plug and play with my OBD1 ecu and harness? I have a CPS sensor in the rear mount currently but it doesn't have a tail so I'm guessing thats one from the S52?

-Mike

[2mAn]

In your last picture you can see where the OBD1 trigger is supposed to be mounted. Not sure about using the rear one with a different sensor

[BritishMike]

In your last picture you can see where the OBD1 trigger is supposed to be mounted. Not sure about using the rear one with a different sensor

Ive read a few post where they talk about using that rear port with a M44 sensor when running under drive pulleys. Id love to do that so another wire is tucked away under the intake.

[Javier h]

Nice Vaders

Modena?

[BritishMike]

In your last picture you can see where the OBD1 trigger is supposed to be mounted. Not sure about using the rear one with a different sensor

Ive read a few post where they talk about using that rear port with a M44 sensor when running under drive pulleys (missing the gear wheel up front). Id love to do that so another wire is tucked away under the intake.

[BritishMike]

[QUOTE=Javier h;[/QUOTE]
Thanks! :) They are for sale if your interested! I want something with some bolstering.

[BritishMike]

So we got the engine all re-sealed, also mounted the new pan pick up tube and all that jazz. Had to grab a new valve cover due to a odd crack in the other one. Ready to start the swap just waiting on a temp sensor and need to put in a pilot bearing. May pull the trigger Friday and start the swap, pulling the motor and trying to have this under the hood by Saturday night.

[BritishMike]

So Im almost complete with my weekend S52 swap 3 weeks later (fingers crossed)I did get the engine in plumed the whole nine yards just had some other failures that have taken me awhile to figure out. Heres the car that Sunday night of the swap weekend.


Other bits of the swap can be found here as Ive been trying to get the E30 back on the road.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=375104

[Blake B]

What are you tire specs?

[BritishMike]

What are you tire specs?

They are 205 50 16r