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-   Engine Swaps (http://www.318ti.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=26)
-   -   M52/ZF into '96 318ti Tintop (http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=38844)

Strawman 12-19-2015 04:39 AM
Quick update: after 30k miles of trouble-free thrashing, I just bought an Estoril Blue 1998 M3 sedan with only 145k miles but with a blown head gasket for $1k. Has a ton of receipts from the original owner and second owner.

It might be a shame to part such a nice M3, but that engine BELONGS in my 318ti. Already purchased a BMW top-end gasket set, as well as a Beisan Vanos rebuild kit. I plan to pull the head this weekend, rebuild it, and drive the M3 for a while to make sure the engine is healthy. My plan is to swap the S52, DSII wheels, and the front hubs/rotors/calipers and master cylinder from the M3. I've also acquired E34 rear calipers I grabbed from Pick-n-Pull a while back, as well as caliper rebuild kits and DOT-approved SS brake lines that I'll install as part of the brake upgrade. I'll grab the mirrors and front valance from the M3, then I'll sell off what I can and scrap the hulk.

I'm picking up a '97 328i tomorrow to swap the 318ti's healthy M52 for my daughter, since the engine only has 140k miles. Stay tuned!

wolferj-RIP 12-19-2015 07:16 AM
Nice!!! Can't wait to see the results... Of course this will mean another trip..

Strawman 12-19-2015 09:02 AM
Absolutely, when is the next get-together in the Vallejo area?

xxxJohnBoyxxx 12-29-2015 02:45 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strawman (Post 352593)
IT RUNS!!!!

I finally gave up on trying to get the car running myself, as I couldn't get the starter to turn over. So I had it towed to Jake at German Auto here in San Luis Obispo. The EWS as I set it up was fine; however, the DME was looking for a neutral signal from the EGS (the engine and DME are from an automatic chassis). Jake ended up using the VIN out of his own 1997 328i (a 5-speed manual car) to correctly code out the automatic transmission. He's now working on coding out the ASC-T (traction control), and also figuring out a couple hard codes (O2 sensors, intake air temp sensor, etc.) but will have it ready for me by day's end. Total cost is still forthcoming, but it looks like he'll keep it under six hours (~$620). I'll then take it to American Custom Muffler here in SLO for a dual-in, dual-out cat-back muffler system.

It also turns out I didn't clip one of the injectors in correctly, so it sprayed fuel when he first fired it up. The car sounds great with open pipes, and he said his brief test-drive showed the trans/clutch/driveshaft (Pick-n-Pull specials!!!) seem to work well. I did install a new Guibo, but the driveshaft out of a 1997 328ic convertible fits like a glove between the ZF trans and E28 LSD differential.

I gotta give J!m props for his manual -- it helped me immensely, even though I've been frankensteining cars for a couple decades (WRX engine/trans in a Porsche 914, Subaru Legacy engine into VW Vanagon, Geo Tracker engine into Suzuki Samurai rockcrawler, etc.). I chose a slightly more onerous route by using the DME from an auto car, but it looks like I've made it over the big hurdles. Below is a pic of car (in its dented fender/door glory!) on the tow-truck. More to come!

Bummer on USPS non delivery. Had that happen a few times myself

Strawman 01-03-2016 06:41 AM
1 Attachment(s)
Head is back from the machine shop (Lesco in SLO; they do great work) and ready for install back onto the M3 engine. Hopefully, I'll have the M3 running tomorrow so that I can drive it for a few days to make sure everything is okay with the engine. If all goes well, I'll swap the S52 engine into my 318ti next weekend. I just registered for an autocross in Santa Maria on January 23, so I've got a stretch goal to shoot for. Stay tuned!

Masterchoans1 01-03-2016 11:59 PM
its gonna be a rocket with the s52. I know mine is. What head gasket are you using? elring or Victor Reinz? I would also go with ARP(2000) head studs. Great job dude.

Strawman 01-30-2016 08:28 PM
Quick update: The top-end went together without too much drama, and I've been driving the M3 for the last three weeks to make sure everything is okay. I kinda feel bad about scrapping a nice Estoril Blue M3 Sedan, and I probably would have kept it had it been a coupe with a manual transmission. I'll start advertising non-needed parts on Craigslist soon (PM me if you need anything).

Anyway, the engine checks out nicely! :biggrin:

I borrowed a friend's leak-down tester and bought a Harbor Freight coolant pressure testing setup. I had no more than 5% leak-down at 100psi shop air on a warm engine, and the cooling system held steady at 25psi for two hours on a cold engine. The engine pulls strong to redline (as often as I can!), and it idles perfectly.

I just purchased a Z3M/S54 Behr radiator, Stewart high-capacity water pump, and a slew of gaskets/hoses from Pelican Parts in preparation for the swap. I hope to begin the swap into my 318ti next weekend; my new deadline (the next autocross) is March 12. We'll see how my 332ti compares to my Z3 M Roadster (with 198k miles); stay tuned!

Strawman 02-03-2016 07:10 AM
Swapped over the steering knuckles and rotors/calipers, along with new braided stainless steel brake lines this weekend. I haven't yet broken out my camber gauge, but my keen eye tells me the new setup gave me some more negative camber. Car is a bit "darty" now, so I'll give it a "string-box" alignment this upcoming weekend. The following weekend I hope to begin the S52 engine swap. I'm really excited about this next rendition of my car!

Strawman 02-06-2016 04:37 PM
As of last night, I began pulling the M52 from my 318ti and I plan to install it into my daughter's 328i; hopefully I can get her car running by the end of the weekend. Then I'll begin pulling the S52 from the M3. I'll take a few pics and post 'em over the weekend.

middlegati 03-31-2016 06:15 AM
keep the m3 shell..... it will be worth money if its clean in a few years.. honestly start rebuilding it now and sell it as a whole car running... ive seen sedan prices rise not alot like the coupes but its an investment at this point.

Strawman 04-08-2016 01:34 AM
The M3 shell has been sent to the Big Crusher In The Sky. Shame, really, since it was in pretty good shape. But my wife and I had no interest in an auto M3 sedan with no sunroof. My daughter's 328i now has my 318ti's former healthy M52 in it. That's where the swap ended...

I've had a screwed up neck for too long (rear-ended in our BMW Z3M in August 2014), so I finally had surgery to fuse two cervical vertebra last Tuesday. That means lifting no more than 5 pounds, and no driving or even riding in a car, for 30 days. Needless to say, the S52 swap is on the back burner. The good news is that my new 2-post lift is installed, and I've gathered more parts needed for the swap -- so I'll hit the ground running as soon as my doc clears me. The latest parts include a Turner Motorsports oil pan baffle setup, which I picked up from the welding shop (I have a MIG, but I don't do aluminum) the day before my surgery. I also picked up a tilt steering column from an early E36, new bushings/bearings for it, and a Z3 rack-n-pinion. I also picked up some Hawk HP+ brake pads to augment the M3 front / E34 rear calipers. Swapping in a Z3 shift lever while everything is out, too. Finally, I picked up a pair of Sport Seats so my backside can enjoy the car, too. :biggrin:

Unfortunately, all I can do right now is go into my garage and stare forlornly at all the parts... :frown:

therealpbgamer 04-09-2016 05:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strawman (Post 379974)
The M3 shell has been sent to the Big Crusher In The Sky. Shame, really, since it was in pretty good shape. But my wife and I had no interest in an auto M3 sedan with no sunroof. My daughter's 328i now has my 318ti's former healthy M52 in it. That's where the swap ended...

I've had a screwed up neck for too long (rear-ended in our BMW Z3M in August 2014), so I finally had surgery to fuse two cervical vertebra last Tuesday. That means lifting no more than 5 pounds, and no driving or even riding in a car, for 30 days. Needless to say, the S52 swap is on the back burner. The good news is that my new 2-post lift is installed, and I've gathered more parts needed for the swap -- so I'll hit the ground running as soon as my doc clears me. The latest parts include a Turner Motorsports oil pan baffle setup, which I picked up from the welding shop (I have a MIG, but I don't do aluminum) the day before my surgery. I also picked up a tilt steering column from an early E36, new bushings/bearings for it, and a Z3 rack-n-pinion. I also picked up some Hawk HP+ brake pads to augment the M3 front / E34 rear calipers. Swapping in a Z3 shift lever while everything is out, too. Finally, I picked up a pair of Sport Seats so my backside can enjoy the car, too. :biggrin:

Unfortunately, all I can do right now is go into my garage and stare forlornly at all the parts... :frown:
Sorry to hear about your neck, and hang up. I'm from Paso Robles and lived in SLO county for the first 16 years of my life. It's cool to see someone from my small hometown into the same **** i love. I'm over here in Jacksonville Florida now for the past 10 years.

I've built a 318ti with s50 swap.

I'm looking to take a trip to SLO this summer, I'd love to help you out and check out your build!

Strawman 04-14-2016 09:17 PM
Florida: the land of no emissions testing; how would THAT be (I'm jealous!). Look me up when you're in SLO and we'll hook up.

Strawman 04-17-2016 02:09 AM
2 Attachment(s)
My 9k-pound two-post lift is operational! I had to search but finally found a guy willing to wire in the 220V circuit for my lift and an additional 120V breaker for outdoor plugs. Here are a couple of pics of my daughter's '98 328i that now has the M52 that resided in my 318ti for the past couple of years.

I hope that my doctor will clear me to begin working on the S52 swap late next week. Stay tuned for updates on my 318ti's reincarnation...

roadrash 04-17-2016 02:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strawman (Post 380121)
My 9k-pound two-post lift is operational!
Well, that's one way to get more parking space... just stack the cars vertically! heh heh :biggrin:


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