'97 ti > '96 m52 swap checklist

[E34Play]

Greetings! First post here, I've done a bit of searching and *believe* I have my questions answered, but would love some final confirmation before I scrap what is left of the 328i in my driveway.

Here is what I have pulled from the 328i so far:
Engine/trans/mounts/all accessories (left everything bolted together)
PS lines
AC lines, condensor, fan, etc
Exhaust (plan to use stock parts until after the cats to retain the o2's)
Secondary air pump & bracket
Radiator
DME, EWS, key
Wiring harness
Gauge cluster
Battery relocation parts (distribution block, cable, etc)

Is there anything small I may have missed or should grab? Nothing else as far as wiring? My Ti is a 97 so the FPR won't be an issue... The 328 is a sedan too otherwise I'd grab the driveshaft.

How about other parts that may be an upgrade? I planned on pulling the front brakes, is anything else worth grabbing?

Thanks in advance! I'm having the shell towed out of here this weekend and want to make sure I have everything I may need before its too late

[cooljess76]

Coupes, sedans, verts and compacts all have roughly the same wheelbase. However, the ZF tranny is about an inch and a half longer than the getrag tranny, so if you plan on swaping the tranny over, you'll need to use the front section of the 328 shaft with the rear section of the ti shaft. You should take them to a automotive machine shop and have them balanced as an assembly.

You'll also need the throttle cable or order a new one for the M52.

[E34Play]

Thanks for the heads up on the throttle cable, I'll grab that before it's gone.

Interesting on the trans - I read and was under the impression that the stock driveshaft from a 6 cyl coupe was a bolt-in. Is this not the case, or is this only with the getrag transmissions?

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by E34Play

Thanks for the heads up on the throttle cable, I'll grab that before it's gone.

Interesting on the trans - I read and was under the impression that the stock driveshaft from a 6 cyl coupe was a bolt-in. Is this not the case, or is this only with the getrag transmissions?

Why wouldn't it bolt on? It was bolted to the transmission when you got the car.

[E34Play]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

Why wouldn't it bolt on? It was bolted to the transmission when you got the car.

I'm referring to a driveshaft out of a 325/328 coupe being a bolt-in for the m52/zf swap in the Ti. As I understood neither of the driveshafts I have now (328 sedan or stock Ti) would work.

[cooljess76]

realoem shows 328 5spd coupes sedans and verts all use the same driveshaft:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref....7283&showus=on

I don't see why you couldn't use the 328's front section with the 318ti's rear section. I do seem to recall someone saying it was not possible, but I can't remember why. Since you already have the driveshaft from your donor(the one that was originally bolted to your ZF) why not try to pair it with the rear section of the ti shaft and see if it fits?

[J!m]

I think you can use the shaft from the 328 as-is; try that first before you take it apart... Unless the center bearing is shot (very possible) in which case try it, repair if needed, and then balance if you have to mix-n-match parts as Jess suggests.

Be sure to mark it when you pull it apart if you will be keeping it together so it goes back together on the exact same spline or the balance will be off.

[sooky123]

I have a M52B25 swap in mine along with a ZF trans from a M coupe and I use a 328 4 bolt driveshaft.

If you're going to use a ZF you can either A, use the front section of a 328 driveshaft and combine it with a 318ti rear half or just do the easier thing and use a 4 bolt 328 or M3 driveshaft.