M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
For some reason I bought some else’s abandoned project. Maybe because it was and original red paint 535is. I’m weak for red 5’s.
Anyway. It has the classic daily mounts kit already and I have a redline harness on its way.
M50b25 getrag trans.
I’m in SoCal.
I’m just wondering if anyone here has done one or is in the process. If found some info but it’s hard to get specifics like AC, adapting all the hoses and smog equipment etc..
if anyone knows of good detailed sources of info or any help of any kind with these specific issues, I’ll take anything. That would be great.
Anyway. It has the classic daily mounts kit already and I have a redline harness on its way.
M50b25 getrag trans.
I’m in SoCal.
I’m just wondering if anyone here has done one or is in the process. If found some info but it’s hard to get specifics like AC, adapting all the hoses and smog equipment etc..
if anyone knows of good detailed sources of info or any help of any kind with these specific issues, I’ll take anything. That would be great.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
IMO its not worth the effort to swap a m30 for a m50. Maybe if it was an m20 car....
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Well that wasn’t really my question but thanks for your input.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
I meant not many people have done it because it’s a marginal improvement over the m30 so there isn’t that much info about it here. It’s very popular with the e30 crowd though. You’ll find a lot more info on r3vlimited.com
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
As not even all E28 M30s used the same parts, I doubt there will be much info out there on stuff like A/C and P/S. You may be using M50 as generic for M5X, but like the others, I would not go M50. At least M52, if not M52TU or preferably M54B30. Same basic platform, but all different.
Smog. I've done a swap, got it thru BAR, but it wasn't as sophisticated then as now. I did have every thing done perfectly, it went smoothly and I even got a kudos from the referee. But for a M5x you will probably need M5x cats too, along with functioning OBD etc. Call them, they were pretty straightforward from my experience. I would describe them as tight, but not chickenshit. There is a difference.
Smog. I've done a swap, got it thru BAR, but it wasn't as sophisticated then as now. I did have every thing done perfectly, it went smoothly and I even got a kudos from the referee. But for a M5x you will probably need M5x cats too, along with functioning OBD etc. Call them, they were pretty straightforward from my experience. I would describe them as tight, but not chickenshit. There is a difference.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Ah. Gotcha. Yeah the car just came like this already so I’m thinking of just continuing. But I’m also contemplating an m30 back into it. But then Ide have to find one. Thanks
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Here’s on question of many:Mike W. wrote: ↑Sep 09, 2022 2:44 AM As not even all E28 M30s used the same parts, I doubt there will be much info out there on stuff like A/C and P/S. You may be using M50 as generic for M5X, but like the others, I would not go M50. At least M52, if not M52TU or preferably M54B30. Same basic platform, but all different.
Smog. I've done a swap, got it thru BAR, but it wasn't as sophisticated then as now. I did have every thing done perfectly, it went smoothly and I even got a kudos from the referee. But for a M5x you will probably need M5x cats too, along with functioning OBD etc. Call them, they were pretty straightforward from my experience. I would describe them as tight, but not chickenshit. There is a difference.
What did you do so that the e28 temp gauge would work?
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
I've done a swap, but didn't mean to imply an M5x swap. Actually the temp gauge should be easy, I wouldn't be surprised if the E28 sending unit screwed into the M5x. If it doesn't, there are numbers on the side which relate to the range of it and you would need to match them. The late sending unit may very well have the right output.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Maybe I can be of some help with specific questions.
I've installed a 1996 M52B28 into my 1987 E30 325is.
Not the same as an E28, but similarities in terms of wiring and components.
Can't help with your A/C or smog questions, as I don't have any of that.
Although I did keep the EVAP purge valve in place and control it with my standalone ECU to vent the gas tank through the charcoal canister.
I added a little thread sealant to mine and it has been working perfectly.
They even make re-threaded sensors in the aftermarket if you don't want to do it yourself.
https://racegerman.com/products/rethrea ... 0-24v-swap
Quick check of RealOEM shows the same part number for the E28 temperature sensor, so this may be what you need.
Picture of my E30:
I've installed a 1996 M52B28 into my 1987 E30 325is.
Not the same as an E28, but similarities in terms of wiring and components.
Can't help with your A/C or smog questions, as I don't have any of that.
Although I did keep the EVAP purge valve in place and control it with my standalone ECU to vent the gas tank through the charcoal canister.
It's common in the E30 crowd to re-thread the "brown" cluster temperature sensor and install it in the side of the head.
I added a little thread sealant to mine and it has been working perfectly.
They even make re-threaded sensors in the aftermarket if you don't want to do it yourself.
https://racegerman.com/products/rethrea ... 0-24v-swap
Quick check of RealOEM shows the same part number for the E28 temperature sensor, so this may be what you need.
Picture of my E30:
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
I'm finishing up a m50 + the zf 5 speed swap into an auto 528e - I have stuff to do but the punch list is pretty small. It pulls now which is nice
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Thanks everyone.
I also want the radiator with the side hanging reservoir. But that looks like the 318i or 4cyl radiator. Is that right? Can I use that one?
@panici What exact radiator do you have?
I also want the radiator with the side hanging reservoir. But that looks like the 318i or 4cyl radiator. Is that right? Can I use that one?
@panici What exact radiator do you have?
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
I have the radiator with the built in tank, I used one from a z3 1.9
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
I have the Behr, bought it from FCP.
Installation notes:
I would have used a e34 525i m50 radiator bc that has the tank too, but it's too wide to fit between the frame rails. The z3 1.9 rad fits.
It's a tight squeeze to fit the fan depending on which engine arms you have, I ended up going electric.
I bought two of CEL-60859 from Summit and cut them to length, the stock radiator hoses don't fit.
I'm lazy and just used zip ties to hold it in place, there's probably better options but it doesn't line up with the stock mounts.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
So you don’t have a clutch fan?
I am able to fit the e28 rad and clutch fan. I have the classic daily mounts. But I don’t want to run a separate tank.
You know what I would love? Some pictures of your engine bay. If you can.
I am able to fit the e28 rad and clutch fan. I have the classic daily mounts. But I don’t want to run a separate tank.
You know what I would love? Some pictures of your engine bay. If you can.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Correct, I don't have a clutch fan.
I've got the classic daily mounts as well, they work pretty well but I had to install the driver's side arm after the engine was in the bay to get the mount to line up with the subframe hole.
M50 swap by Holy Grail Labs, on Flickr
M50 swap by Holy Grail Labs, on Flickr
I've got the classic daily mounts as well, they work pretty well but I had to install the driver's side arm after the engine was in the bay to get the mount to line up with the subframe hole.
M50 swap by Holy Grail Labs, on Flickr
M50 swap by Holy Grail Labs, on Flickr
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Color me skeptical. You no doubt have noticed that the radiator pictured is significantly smaller than stock or M50. Will it provide adequate cooling capacity?
Having been playing with BMWs many years now and remembering what the early cooling systems were like, the last thing I'd want to do is put in a smaller radiator.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Awesome. Thanks
Did a leak down test on the m50 if your interested. I did three rounds. Motor was cold. I added a little oil to the pistons.
@100 psi
1-100%
2-99%
3-100%
4-93% ?
5-80%
6-100%
4 was 93% the first test but then couldn’t get it past 33%. Guessing the exhaust valves are sticking open. Probably normal for a motor that has bee sitting.
Did a leak down test on the m50 if your interested. I did three rounds. Motor was cold. I added a little oil to the pistons.
@100 psi
1-100%
2-99%
3-100%
4-93% ?
5-80%
6-100%
4 was 93% the first test but then couldn’t get it past 33%. Guessing the exhaust valves are sticking open. Probably normal for a motor that has bee sitting.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
I did think of this issue when I started - short answer is I have no idea if this radiator is big enough. I installed a high flow water pump pulley and I'm working on an electric fan controller with better temperature readouts than the iffy temp needle. I haven't driven the car enough to really heat soak it.Mike W. wrote: ↑Sep 11, 2022 7:52 PM ...
Color me skeptical. You no doubt have noticed that the radiator pictured is significantly smaller than stock or M50. Will it provide adequate cooling capacity?
Having been playing with BMWs many years now and remembering what the early cooling systems were like, the last thing I'd want to do is put in a smaller radiator.
Either way I'm going to find out!
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
M42 Radiator (Mahle 376713121)
SPAL Electric Radiator Fan (16" Pusher - 30100401) controlled by standalone ECU.
No clutch fan.
No A/C condenser.
No cooling issues running the smaller rad in 2020 with the engine naturally aspirated. Was using the original thermostat, plastic housing, and unknown mileage water pump at that point in time.
Note that I do have three separate coolant sensors to keep track of things. OEM cluster sensor (rethreaded), VDO water temp gauge, and standalone ECU temperature sensor (reused the M52 sensor).
Also programmed the ECU to light up the "check engine" bulb on the dash if the coolant gets too hot.
I've since switched to an Febi 176F/80C thermostat with an aluminum housing. I've also installed a new OEM water pump.
No issues thus far while turbocharged this past month, although it does run the electric SPAL fan more often with the reduced cooling through the massive front mount intercooler.
Note that I've only street driven the car with this radiator, the true test will be at the track running open lapping.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Your car is insanely amazing.
What is the wire harness holder/container against the firewall called? where can one get that?
What is the wire harness holder/container against the firewall called? where can one get that?
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
You're talking about the box with the clear blue cover in Panici's car? That's the fuse box (in what I believe is the stock location for e30s).
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
No
The black long box that holds the main harness up against the firewall. Above the rear of motor.
Sorry. I explained that poorly the first time.
The black long box that holds the main harness up against the firewall. Above the rear of motor.
Sorry. I explained that poorly the first time.
Re: M50 swap, who’s doing or did one?
Ooooh that thing.
The black wire box doesn't have a name that I know of, it's built into the stock harness for e34 m50 cars. I don't know if e36 harnesses have the same thing, they have the ECU in a different spot so possibly not. I'm actually trying to figure out how to take it off, it doesn't fit between the intake manifold and the firewall and is rubbing against the hood liner a bit. I may end up doing a custom tucked harness to clean things up a bit and get better fitment, the ECU plug doesn't have much slack to play with behind the glove box and there isn't another place to stick the ECU that I'm happy with.