95 M3 engine into 95 ti...need expierenced advice

[iananderson02]

So I am very close to starting my conversion, I have sourced a 95 M3 motor with:

full uncut wiring harness
engine computer
intake and exhaust manifolds
throttle body and mass air sensor (or air flow meter)
alternator, ac compressor, p/s pump (and possibly any associated hoses)
fan and fan clutch
motor mounts and brackets
flywheel and clutch

Am I forgetting anything? I have plenty of expierence (3+years as BMW tech), I am counting on the swap being "kinda easy" but neet a bit of guidance from those of you that have performed the swap before.

Essentially I remove the M42 engine/wiring harness/accessories and drop the S50 in, plug up the harness and then bam, i'm done right.

I know I need a 6cyl radiator and probably a few tiny parts that can be sourced as I may need them.

Heres what I dont know:

front suspension: currently have h&r's with bilstein sports, is this setup stiff enough to take the extra weight?

clutch throw out bearing: do I use the M3 or 318 part, I am keeping the stock transmission for now. What about clutch hydraulics and release lever, which to use? (pilot bearing gets changes to 318 style right?...)

MODIC: will I need to recode the ECU/DME or ignition key?, I do have the equipment...


Any othe helpful advice or hints will be VERY appreciated!!!

-Ian
iananderson02@sbcglobal.net

[maurolin]

the mid pipe and exhausts are different. you need a mid pipe off a 1995 and chopp off part of a cat back for an E36.

your car must be an OBD1 otherwise you need to have a company burn you a chip so the OBD1 computer and the newer "mushrooms" and interior wiring can comunicate propperly (I had to deal with a big problem of this kind.)

Tranny bolts right on (MANUAL ONLY) but get rid of your diff... you'll need E30 axels as well.

You need an E36 radiator
If you car is OBD2 the fuel lines won't plug in.
You need an M3 or 328 fuel pump
you need 325 or 328 front sway bar
you need 325 328 steering coil hoses (318'S ARE SHORTER)
advisable to upgrade your clutch pumps master and slave to 325 or 328
you need OBD1 os sensor (the mid pipe should have it though.)
you need 325 328 cruise control cable (318 is shorter)
you need charcoal canister 325

I just finished my swap... 3.2L converted to OBD1 on an OBD1 car...

good luck! and be ready to have fun!

[iananderson02]

yup, totally forgot to say that my ti is a 95, so its OBD1 allready. So i need fuel pump, sway bar, p/s hoses, clutch master and slave, cruise control cable, charcoal canister, and obviously exhaust stuff.

does my car being obd1, just like the engine, mean that the fuel lines and 02 sensor shoulde be ok? (although ill probably get an 02 sensor and cat/midpipe from the M3)

any idea if h&r's and bilstien sports will be beefy enough to support the extra weight up front?

thanks alot
-ian

[maurolin]

yes, what it means, it that you won't have to have a special chip burned fot the DME. the Exhaust HAS to be 92-95 or track pipe, and your current O2 sensor won't work.
I have H&R and bilstein sport in mine... no probolems. PLUS is you have Bilsteins for an M3, you can now add M3 sway bar!! it makes a difference, but you need to buy the long sway bar links.

if you have any questions, don't mind asking... I will shortly be publishing a guide book on the swaps and OBD1 conversions for any application. OBD1 and OBD2 cars with OBD1 and OBD2 engines etc...

[iananderson02]

Cool, the motor i'm getting has a subframe and swaybar included, ill ditch the subframe (unless it will be of some use) and keep the swaybar.

Will M3 bilstien sports bolt to ti spindles, what about the springs, will h&r's for a ti fit M3 bilstiens (also for what year, or are they all the same). What about dampening rates, are they the same or is the welded swaybar tab the only difference?

I will have both a cat'd and trackpippe exhaust setup, one for the emission test and one for the rest of the time (damn emissions!) so I will use 92-95 parts.

thanks...
-ian

and by the way, when do you plan on releasing that book, It sounds helpful and I am very interested!

[96cali]

think you'll also need an 6 cyl instrumant cluster too for the tach.

[sprnova]

yes, what it means, it that you won't have to have a special chip burned fot the DME. the Exhaust HAS to be 92-95 or track pipe, and your current O2 sensor won't work.
I have H&R and bilstein sport in mine... no probolems. PLUS is you have Bilsteins for an M3, you can now add M3 sway bar!! it makes a difference, but you need to buy the long sway bar links.

if you have any questions, don't mind asking... I will shortly be publishing a guide book on the swaps and OBD1 conversions for any application. OBD1 and OBD2 cars with OBD1 and OBD2 engines etc...


I wonder if you will you be writing that "guide book" from jail.....

[Panzer_M]

we don't have emissions or testing here in Florida.
A ODB II to ODB I wouldn't be noticed or careabout by the state's DOT.

[Panzer_M]

BTW I have a Euro M50 cluster if you want one for the 332.
I am looking at getting a pair of S52 clusters shipped in from Germany this month hopefully.

[durnadupa]

I know I am probably going to get flamed or and made fun of for asking this. But I have a automatic car (yes I know, it is frowned upon, but it was a gift from my cousin) and I was wodnering if it is possible to do a M3 engine swap into my ti. Would I need to find a M3 that was automatic or is there no way it would work? I was just thinking about it thats all...

[iananderson02]

Will these euro clusters work with an OBD1 american M3 setup, as I am using the 3.0 from a 95? If so, email me at iananderson02@sbcglobal.net with a price, I just might be interested...


-Ian

[Panzer_M]

right now I have found 2 M clusters(97+) and looking for 2-3 sets of OE M3 Saloon mirrors, and some 3 spoke non-airbag Mtech steering wheels. Prob getting the parts in Late Feb/March.