I've disassembled, cleaned and adjusted my headlamps but they still suck. Just wondering if anyone has upgraded them before? I believe on the compact they're different to the rest of the E36 line, so wondering if a set from a sedan would be a cheap improvement? Don't really need anything fancy, just a mild improvement would make me happy.

Cheers

i'm looking at adapting an N62 oil pump to an M60. Having trial fitted an N62 pump to the M60 the mounting points can be made to line up the Main caps pretty easily BUT where the N62 has a flat surface on the main cap for the pump to mount to the M60 and M62 caps have a recess for the bolt head.

i am considering getting some spacers turned up that will fit inside the recess and will raise the mounting surface for the pump, but was wondering if a set of N62 caps would fit. it appears that the main bearing diameter is the same between the two motors, but not the big end.

Does any one out there have a set of N62 main caps around that i could trial fit

Or

does any one already have an answer if if it would or wouldn't work.

any thoughts on either route appreciated.

N62 caps

M60 caps

N62 Pump on M60 block

Cheers

Glen

Am I correct thinking one is for the filter down the back and will now be redundant, I can use the supply direct into my fuel pressure regulator then into the return line back to tank?

Thanks Brent

I have started the project thread on the projects page but have a short but sweet list of questions (I have browsed the forums but to no avail)

will e36 medium case diff fit in e30 which currently has small case?  What is the prefered ratio for medium case in E30 with M52 (it will see some track time among its duties)

What is the best radiator for E30 which will soon be getting an M52b28? - I currently have tiny and rooted E30 M40 radiator

I have a full E36 328 exhaust system - Is this adaptable to the E30 or is it best to get an exhaust from an M20 powered e30 (my M40 one definitely will not work!!).  I've bought a welder so may need to test my skills!!

As per the title I have an E36 compact and am looking to swap in a six cylinder. The car is currently a 1.6 manual.

I rushed out and brought a 330 engine from an E46, but now I'm thinking a 328 from an E36 would be more suitable?

Can you please let me know your thoughts and experiences as to which engine is best suited?

Thanks 

• I want to shave as much unnecessary bits and bobs off the engine bay as possible, is it OK to remove the air box mount?
• Is the fuse box a huge task to get out of the way? I've tried and it looks to be. Possibly something I'm missing?
• Can I throw the big cylindrical canister out, I think it's a charcoal canister (comes from fuel line) or does the m52 need it?
• Am I able to use the rubber engine mounts again for the m52? The car had an m40 previously..
• Also I've heard the brake booster is in the way in it's original spot so what's the easiest way to sort that out?

Also, some of stuff about OBD2 and OBD1 conversions is a little confusing, I've tried to look up what the advantages of swapping to OBD1 are on rev limited but the site appears to be down for maintenance at the minute. I just want to make it as easy as possible and not have to buy any extra stuff and just use the e36 donor I have so would it be best to stick with OBD2 and just get the O2's wiped and EWS wiped?

**Update** my e36 is a 1995 so would it even have obd2?

I'll try upload some photos of what I'm doing but internet is poor where I am, its very satisfying to see it all come together, the e30 is a fantastic chassis and I can't wait to see how it handles the new power and things.

Cheers

I have an E39 530i m-sport rack from a car I tore apart a while back, and would love to know if the innards will work in an E36 rack housing. Seems on paper to be a straightforward way of getting the quicker lock to lock ratio without shelling out $300-500 on an E46 sport rack. I briefly thought I could use the E39 rack but noticed the mounting tabs are on the opposite side to the E36 so that killed the idea pretty quickly.

Bear in mind that my knowledge of these things is nil so any constructive input is useful

just after some help/ options on what clutch and flywheel combo to go for in my project. I had decided on going for the JB Racing lightened flywheel as it would really liven the engine up and match it with and a performance organic spring hub clutch,

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1339-e39-540i-97-03-jb-racing-lightweight-aluminum-flywheel.aspx

http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/performance-organic-clutch-kit-for-96-03-e39-m5-and-540i-540i-696-production-and-later-p390.aspx

but with the dollar the way it is currently and shipping being outrageous, (approx 3k NZD landed) i was wondering if any other recommendations would be suitable.

thanks in advance.

The ABS is not working

I have replace the diff and axles with medium case out of E30 325

When I fitted the axles there was a significant rubbing on the left side ABS sensor and the ABS didn't work.

I replaced the sensor with one I had from a sedan

I thought the issue was the instrument cluster from the 6 Cylinder donor car didn't power ABS but even with 4 Cylinder cluster in the ABS light comes on as soon as I start driving. And the ABS definitely isn't working (as discovered on a very wet Taupo track today!)

Any ideas?

Could the rubbing on the axle have damaged the axle so that the sensor can't read correctly?

will a m50b28 just bolt up to the 318ti gearbox? will i need a 6cyl flywheel ect?

and the big question does anyone have a cheap manual 318ti??

So far, the easiest option to get the new motor running in my car is to follow Silver_Fox's lead : M50 manifold & cable throttle, B25NV exhaust cam swapped to inlet side on the B30, and B25NV ECU dyno retuned to accommodate increased fuel requirements, Vanos and DISA delete, M52 / S50 headers. End result is quite impressive given a low budget build but the motor will only really come to life above 3500rpm. Great for a track car that spends its life in the upper ranges of the tacho but possibly not the most comfortable setup for a daily driver.

My research so far suggests that it IS possible to delete / disable the likes of ASC, EWS etc from the MS43 DME, but of course those that have done the swap in overseas forums are not saying just HOW they made the necessary changes to the ECU. What I'm aiming for is a way to swap the M54 while making as few changes as possible to the E36.

Is there anyone locally (preferably Auckland / North Waikato) that would be willing to share a little of their knowledge? Thanks to a member here I have GT1 / SSS loaded on a suitable laptop but I have no idea how to drive it. I am fully aware that making changes like this is a job that needs to be handed to someone suitably qualified, but I'd still like to gain an understanding of how it's done.

Before it's mentioned, yes I am aware the B30 internals will fit the B25 block, and an S50 swap would yield far superior results, a turbo would make more power and torque than the B30 et al, but what I want is an NA M54B30 powered E36. So far I'm not aware of anyone in NZ that has done such a swap.

Also it raises the opportunity to pursue developing the engine with S50 bits at a later date.

So is there anyone around that might be able to help an idiot out?

Thanks

I've had an what I've been calling a phantom overheating issue which has been caused by air getting into the cooling system and building up behind the sensor, fooling it into thinking the car is overheating.

I'm taking it to BM workshop to get a full scan and find out how the air is getting in and from what I've read two of the most likely places are through a busted gasket or through cracks in a cylinder head.

I had been planning over the last few months to get this sorted and then sell my car to get something newer but given that any repairs could be expensive enough to negate any profit I'd receive from selling it, I'm thinking I'll look into putting a new engine in it.

My preferred choice (dependent entirely on costs of course) would be to source the twin turbo N54 engine (from the 335i) and put this in. I know this will incur all sorts of complications in making things matchup etc and I'll probably need a new clutch too. My question to anyone who might have an idea is, would this engine fit in the car? I'm asking because my car has the rack and piñon steering set-up which was not used in the v8 e39s due to the engines being too big to fit this steering system. From what I've found online the n54 is a similar size to the m52 (what my car has) but it'll also have extra bulk from the turbos and associated parts. Any other ideas or recommendations are appreciated.

ps: If I am going through with an engine swap I'd like to get a decent power hike and the aforementioned e39 era v8s present too many complications. My other reason apart from wanting a newer car is wanting something faster and I love the idea of a "sleeper" 528i.

So close and yet still so far

From what I know most people in the club sport levels of racing use ERW tube and thats what has been suggested to me. But from doing a bit or research it seams most people in Europe and the US wont touch the stuff and think its rubbish.

From what I understand Chrome molly and (from what ive read) T45 is often used but at a thinner wall thickness to save weight and has an added expense of an engineers report and more labor in welding construction costs. I really don't have any background info on T45 but it looks like its the bees knees over in the US and Europe but looks like its mega expensive. Similar to Ch molly?

With my budget CDS, I think, is the next option.

Let me know if im wrong. The only experience ive had with CDS is limited but I know its a hell of a lot harder to bend up than ERW tube so this unscientific approach, what I read on the net and the fact that its FIA approved is largely what im basing my decision on at the moment. Good or bad? Am still waiting to find out prices....

As I said earlier I have been pointed towards ERW as its the standard over here and is well proven, has any one had experience with CDS?

Cheers

I have a M40 one in mine but it needs to be replaced. was cracked when i put it in, and im not sure if its got worse because its running too much heat/volume etc or just normal.

Whats the biggest radiator i can use with a built in expansion tank?

Is E36M42 radiator bigger than the M40 one? and if so will it fit E30?

Dont want to run the M20 rad as would rather the built in expansion tank.

Tried an E34M50 one but its too wide

If anyone has another larger option it would be great to hear.