M50 2.8 Swap

[hobbsie 0]

Hi all.

So I'm seriously looking at a 2.8 motor with brake booster needed for the conversion into my e30 320. The engine doesn't come with ecu and loom so I was wondering what peoples opinions are on getting a after market set up or try buy a 328 ecu and loom then modify it to fit the e30.

Plus any good references for the swap.

Cheers.

[bravo 35]

Hi there,

firstly there is no M50 2.8. The 2.8 is a M52 2.8.

A good reference for m50 swaps is here.

Also this site and here

An aftermarket ecu is an option, BUT you can get the factory ecu to work and this is possibly the most trouble-free option. Loom adapters and wiring diagrams are available online.

You are going to need alot more than just a motor, ecu, loom and brake booster. But if you read the above, you'll figure out what. i once wrote out everything I needed to do it, and the list was long, but I've since thrown it out as I abandoned the project for a different one.

Finally - talk to Glenn from Botany Motor Worx. he put an m52 in an e36 318ti and will be able to give you some pointers.

[westy 614]

Or buy this

Visit My Website

[*Glenn* 854]

Hope this doesnt put you off, but you will need between $10,000 & $15,000 to do all this properly.

Motor

Gearbox

Diff & axles

Driveshaft

Radiator

Manifold

Engine mounts

Brake booster

Standard or aftermarket ECU

Suspension & brakes

Certification

And a sh*t load of hours with a good supply of beer

[sp8s 1]

And a sh*t load of hours with a good supply of beer

:lol:

Am thinking of the same for my Ti

May have to make a trip up north an talk to the God of conversions

[tire 10]

www.e3024v.com

GL

edit.... also this too

Edited July 10, 2008 by tastic

[kerrynzl 3]

You need to convert it to OBD-1 to get rid of the EWS so the thing will start.

try and find a Vanos loom and computer of a 2.5 engine M50 .

they usually have the Bosch 512 DME which is more tunable than the Siemens unit that the 2.8 usually has.

there are plenty of cooked 2.5's floating around to get the bits you need

[*Glenn* 854]

You need to convert it to OBD-1 to get rid of the EWS so the thing will start.

try and find a Vanos loom and computer of a 2.5 engine M50 .

they usually have the Bosch 512 DME which is more tunable than the Siemens unit that the 2.8 usually has.

there are plenty of cooked 2.5's floating around to get the bits you need

Hey Kerry...How's that 3 litre build coming on ?? I'm interested to see how its coming on

I'm thinking very seriously about doing the same when I do the manual conversion on mine. Only problem is getting a very good M54 3 litre short block. I was thinking on the lines of:

M54 3 litre short block

My M52B28 head and manifolds

Shrick cam (inlet)

Get rid of vanos & AMF

Bigger injectors

Supercharger

Intercooler

Link ECU

What are your thoughts??

Cheers

Glenn

[westy 614]

Do you know whether the m52 head fits the m54 block??

Hurry up and build it so I can find out.

[*Glenn* 854]

Do you know whether the m52 head fits the m54 block??

Hurry up and build it so I can find out.

I have hammers

[hobbsie 0]

Thanks for all the replies guys, looks like its back to studying more what others have done

M52_swap.doc

[320guy 0]

That list dosent say anything about a brake booster...

[BM WORLD 1283]

Hey Kerry...How's that 3 litre build coming on ?? I'm interested to see how its coming on

I'm thinking very seriously about doing the same when I do the manual conversion on mine. Only problem is getting a very good M54 3 litre short block. I was thinking on the lines of:

M54 3 litre short block

My M52B28 head and manifolds

Shrick cam (inlet)

Get rid of vanos & AMF

Bigger injectors

Supercharger

Intercooler

Link ECU

What are your thoughts??

Cheers

Glenn

would it be better to use a early M50 2.5 block (castiron) bore it out fit the 3L pistons , rods and crank , use no vanos M50b2.5 head , reamap the bosch ecu etc

just a thought ,

if it works , do one for me

[westy 614]

I believe Kerry has a cast iron m52.

[hybrid 1043]

For your brake booster and may as well upgrade the master cylinder to 25mm

I run a golf mkII 1.3 uk version booster and a Audi 88 / v8 25mm master cylinder.

Its not the only combo out there but wasn't too expensive to do (about $500) The other way is remote reservoir like the Wilwood setup however you’ll need a cert for this.

[westy 614]

I run a golf mkII 1.3 uk version booster and a Audi 88 / v8 25mm master cylinder.

Its not the only combo out there but wasn't too expensive to do (about $500) The other way is remote reservoir like the Wilwood setup however you’ll need a cert for this.

Certs are required for either of these mods.

[hybrid 1043]

yes but one looks stock and one doesn't They way ive done it the parts are manufactured by the same company(s) that do the bits for BMW's e30s. Technically yes. Warrent time, It looks pretty much the same as stock.

PS I have to cert, brake booster isn't the only thing in my brake setup thats changed

[westy 614]

For the benefit (hopefully) of others Josh!

[Andrew 30]

A 25mm master cylinder would suck on stock calipers.

What booster can you use with the stock MC? (Well any I guess with some fab)