New Member s52 Swap

[cnaville210]

Hi guys, My name is Chris and I'm newly registered, but not new to this forum, as I've used it as a resource for researching this swap for the past 6 months or so.

Any way, I'm going to be doing an OBD2 S52 swap into a 318Ti. I haven't found a good Ti yet, so I'm still looking to buy. I do however own an M3 that I just picked up for an incredible deal. I used to own a 97 M3 lux edition. However, that was back when I was apparently too irresponsible to own one and wrecked it. If anyone has any suggestions on cars to buy, I'm all ears. I'm willing to fly to almost any location within 1000 miles of Texas, but I really want a clean post '96 model. Preferably a Clubsport edition with a bad motor or Ti with the M3 kit. 4500 is my max for the Ti, though I'd like to keep this swap as cheap as possible.

I do have a question about the complications of buying an auto Ti. Will all of the shifty bits from the M3 bolt on? Are there differences in the firewall or anything?

Will I be able to source out a 5-speed Ti center console easily? Also, will the gauge cluster from the M3 bolt into the dash of the Ti, since I want the MPG gauge?

One more. EWS, so if I understand this correctly, I will take the Ti down to the dealer with the EWS module and DME from the M3 and ask them to align it to the Ti, expecting to pay around 100 bucks?

Here is a pic of my M3 Doner:


The engine bay(Keep in mind, she hasn't been run or cleaned in a while):


The car came with the following mods:
UUC Short throw shifter(My favorite of the following)
X-brace Front strut bar
UUC Euro Oil Cooler(awesome)
3.5" HFM connected to some type of oil based foam intake made by itb(I know, it's bad for the MAF)
M50 manifold(with the ripoff conversion plate thing instead of home brew)
Non-Ebay headers and mid-pipe (forgot the brand)
Some type of tune from one of the bigger brands(Maybe a shark injector? idk)
Silicon radiator hoses
Springs and struts with sway bars(Forgot the brand)
Some type of slotted brake rotors
this cool aluminum belly pan to replace the plastic one
Glass lens halos(Won't use them, Halo's are for 5's imo)
And as the guy I bought the car from so strongly pushed, "100$ spark plugs dude!" (Lol)
Some other stuff I'm probably forgetting.

During the engine pull, I'm going to put loc-tite on the pump nut, anyone have suggestions on this, vs. wiring it? I won't weld it, as I want it to be serviceable.

I knew the guy who sold me the car, in fact the way I met him in 09 was because the car got rear ended, and he called me for insurance suggestions. At that point I knew I was gonna buy it, only for an e30 swap, until I recently decided on a Ti that is.

So anyway, I'm currently parting the m3 out completely before it goes to the car crusher, so if anyone needs anything from it, please let me know. I'll also be selling the Ti's front suspension and engine/trans when I get it.

EDIT: Here is the link to the for sale thread:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35782

Oh yea, anyone got some input on these wheels? I kinda like em, though I really want some M-Contours. They have 235's on all four corners.


**********************UPDATE 3-27-2012************************************

Well guys, it's been a long weekend, with the 1800 mile drive from Philly, but I have picked up a 318Ti! It is relatively clean, with only a few minor problems that I'm in the process of fixing. I washed and waxed the car yesterday and swapped out the BMW Emblems, and the kidneys for black ones I had laying around from my old M3. I can't decide on the foglights. I will be going with lightly smoked side markers and blinkers, so input would be appreciated; Yellow or keep the white ones?

Here is the car after I cleaned her up:




There is rust on the rear quarter panel and a bit on the hood.(Yikes!) I'll be painting the areas of rust, either by myself or at a shop. I feel pretty confident of painting, since my Dad and I did a single stage paint job on a Merc Unimog that turned out great.
The interior had the common problems with door panels becoming unglued from the black plastic things, which I currently have new glue drying in my garage.

Also, the glove box doesn't latch on the right side and the handle is lopsided! Is this common?

Here is some pics of the progress I've made on the M3!:

Interior is almost stripped completely. Next is the Heater Box, carpet, headliner, and the rest of the chassis Harness.




Beginning to prepare the motor for removal!


ECU and Startup air pump thingy removed:



Front clip removed:


What kind of pulleys are these?

Harness unplugged:


Parts pile is building up! People, buy stuff!




Well that's it for now. Today I will be taking the Ti to get window tint and to the dealer for the EWS alignment as well as some misc interior parts and clips. Next update will include the motor pull, interior Ti pics, and the Ti Battery relocation!