91 318is Field Rat

[captain awesome]

I was wrong, this m52tu is an aluminum block. Not sure on the weight, but I assume slightly lighter than the m54?

[econti]

My thoughts exactly, but this m52 definitely shows the lack of power I didn't even know I was missing with the m42. It's either m54 or turbo the m42.

boooOOOooO0oO0oO0st

[wworm]

oooooooh please do m54 if you ever decide to swap.

[captain awesome]

Is it an m52tu with dual vanos? If so, I wouldn't bother with putting that into the e30. You're better off with a single vanos m52. It's a much simpler swap. If you want more of a challenge, you may as well opt for a 3.0L m54.

My thoughts exactly, but this m52 definitely shows the lack of power I didn't even know I was missing with the m42. It's either m54 or turbo the m42.

[Codym42]

Is it an m52tu with dual vanos? If so, I wouldn't bother with putting that into the e30. You're better off with a single vanos m52. It's a much simpler swap. If you want more of a challenge, you may as well opt for a 3.0L m54.

[wworm]

This is an iron block, so nothing but weight gain to be had here. If I had my choice it would just be an m54.

ahh wasnt aware you were thinking about using e46 as a donor.

[captain awesome]

We should have a M50 swap finished at the shop in the next few weeks(hopefully), if you can wait that long, you could at least test drive it and see how it feels to you. It might make your decision easier. I'll let you know when it is done. Also, got a E46 parts car if you keep it and need anything.

I knew I should have checked with you first. Just dropped $800 on new brakes, radiator, exp. tank, power steering stuff, pulleys, water pump, belts, etc. so I think this one will be a daily driver for the time being. Still need an electric fan though, this one was an automatic with a manual swap and I want to ditch the fan clutch. I know there's other stuff I need, but I'm trying to just focus on making it reliable first. Wheels and tires next if my wallet ever recovers.

[Dgerry]

We should have a M50 swap finished at the shop in the next few weeks(hopefully), if you can wait that long, you could at least test drive it and see how it feels to you. It might make your decision easier. I'll let you know when it is done. Also, got a E46 parts car if you keep it and need anything.

[captain awesome]

if you do go m52, an aluminum one would keep the front end nimble. IIRC, an alu m52 without a/c weighs about as much as a m42 with a/c. Could be off by a bit there but it's definitely something to think about.

This is an iron block, so nothing but weight gain to be had here. If I had my choice it would just be an m54.

[wworm]

if you do go m52, an aluminum one would keep the front end nimble. IIRC, an alu m52 without a/c weighs about as much as a m42 with a/c. Could be off by a bit there but it's definitely something to think about.

[captain awesome]

I'm in a pickle. M52 power is getting addicting, and switching back to the m42 is kinda lackluster now. Didn't expect that to happen, so it either will be m52 swap to the e30 or keep both separate and just appreciate them each for what they really are? Throttle response and the clutch engagement on the m52 lick balls though, so that will be something I need to look into. What to do, what to do.....

[captain awesome]

For some reason I just had to scratch that e46 itch. Unfortunately I think I picked the wrong car for that. I picked up this 2000 323ci that has a motor and 5 speed from a 328. After some assessment of the car, it needs more than I really wanted to mess with, but at this point not sure if I'm going to keep it or spend a $1000+ getting it up to my standards.

Brake rotors are wavy and shudder dramatically in a high speed stop. Stretched cheapo tires on super heavy scraped up rims, 5-10 footers for sure. New cheapo KYB rear shocks, yay! The front suspension threw me for a loop when I found 3 of the plastic shipping discs still wrapped around the driver side strut. Those have been there for the life of the car, 190k miles on this chassis! So many people drove this car around with no driver side suspension travel, wow. Anyway, the radiator shows signs of a small weep and the expansion tank looks like its about to kick rocks, so those are first on the list. Then brakes, then wheels and tires, then.......... so on and so on.

Looks cool in pics at least.

[mike.bmw]

Looks like a fun day. Nice photos!

[captain awesome]

Sunday Sunday Sunday! Finally got to my first autocross event of the season. It was friggin cold and windy. Overall the car did well, but I'm fighting some understeer. Could be me over taxing the tires though, so I won't rule that out yet. I got first in class in DSP, but I'm the only car in DSP so that didn't mean much. If I remember correctly I was keeping up with the cars in CAM-C if that's worth anything. I'll get final results later today or tomorrow.

One the biggest issues I had was my helmet to roof clearance. I still haven't finished up the Recaros, and they sit lower than the stock sport seats. I was having to crouch down and struggling to focus on the track ahead of me, so I feel like there was time to be made up with that alone. Another item I mentioned before was lack of power steering. There were some tighter turns that just made it difficult to input smooth direction, and with a power rack I think it would be beneficial. Screw the small weight penalty and tiny power loss that may bring, I just want to turn.

[captain awesome]

Yesterday was a little toasty sitting in traffic, so it pushed me to dig out my a/c parts and see what I need to order. Everything is nice and gross, needing scrubbing and general cleaning, but I have what I need to get started, and spent the rest of the evening comparing prices on various parts. Originally I planned to just use the compressor I have even though it's r12, but decided to just get the newer 134a and replace everything. I also pulled out the power steering bits to start cleaning up. Once everything rolls in from the 3-4 vendors I should be good to get it all installed. That $500 should be well spent here in the next few months.

Edit: Every place I have tried to buy the r134a compressor from has cancelled. Looks like I'm sticking with the r12 for now, but that at least saves me $225!