» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | 1999 M3 Swap 09-07-2023 10:10 PM 05-02-2024 08:18 PM 6 Replies, 405,334 Views | | | | | | 12-08-2015, 05:55 PM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | Wes' Build Thread - S52 ti So.....I'm starting a build thread. Not sure if the Lounge or engine conversion forum was best for this, but I read some other full build threads in the lounge so here we go. I picked up my 1998 ti from an online auction site a few months ago. It had been donated to Wheels for Wishes, and is in surprisingly awesome shape inside and out. Shortly after that, I found a wrecked 1998 M3 sedan and purchased it to use as a donor. It had font end damage, but cranked right up and sounded awesome when I got it home. I have already removed the engine from the M3 and plan to get everything else that I can swap over out of it, and then part out the remainder. I had been under the impression that I would be able to swap out the diff, but I read on the forum that the diff may not work out. I also sent Jim a message about getting a copy of his swap guide, but haven't heard anything on that yet. If anyone has information about that, let me know. Not sure if that is something still available. I am also somewhat confused about the wiring harnesses on the two cars, and not sure what I need to use from the M3 and what can stay from the ti. Currently, I am working on some of the cosmetics with the engine, as I need to be able to spend some money before moving forward with the install of S52. I want to buy Condor motor and transmission mounts, need some new gaskets, etc. The M44 in the ti runs as well, and I will be looking to sell it soon. I was able to drive the ti around my block a few time before starting the disassembly process. However, it did start to burn oil, and I noticed some oil on the spark plugs. I would assume that the valve seals are bad, but it could also be piston rings. Here are some pics of whats done so far. | | | 12-08-2015, 05:59 PM | #2 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | More pics. Before and after cleaning up the tranny. After some block cleaning. | | | 12-08-2015, 08:00 PM | #3 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | Also, if someone knows how other folks post full size pictures within a post instead of the thumbnails that you have to hover over, I would appreciate some instruction on doing that. Thanks! | | | 12-08-2015, 10:13 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,019 | If your interested in parting out that m44 head let me know lol. You need to host the pictures to flickr or photobucket and then inser the pics of the img link. __________________ V2 in progress. Volkswagen MK6 GTI | | | 12-09-2015, 01:17 AM | #5 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | I will let you know on the head. Thanks for the picture info. Will do. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk | | | 12-09-2015, 05:01 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: norcal - 94590 Posts: 3,186 | Ok, so here goes; 1. you cannot use the diff from the M3, it is too large and has different mounting points. You can get a Medium case diff from a 6 cyl. e30 or z3, which will bolt up, but you will want the 6 cyl axles and will need to shim the ABS sensors. 2. you want the S52 engine harness and ECU only for the swap. No need to worry about any of the M3 body harness. 3. Feel free to post, email or PM me with questions. __________________ James 95 active w/leather interior and sport interior conversion, Vaders, full M-Tech exterior conversion. Now m50 swapped* Eibach sway bars, D2 Coilovers, Depo's w/AE's, blacked-out sides and grills, LeatherZ console and door armrests, 1 series starter button mod, and custom finished Style 5's <--- in this color! Named "Roddy": *M50 6 cyl. swap with fan delete, S50 cams and chip, AFE stage 2 intake, M3 clutch and 11.5 lb Fidanza flywheel, 3.15LSD, battery relocated to rear and complete custom exhaust. Sweet! 97 318ti sport, Alaska Blue, Contours, coilovers, Dove Vaders and custom black/grey interior named "Max" 95 318ti Active in Cosmos, S50 swap in progress... named "Pit" SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! | | | 12-09-2015, 02:36 PM | #7 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | Quote: Originally Posted by wolferj Ok, so here goes; 1. you cannot use the diff from the M3, it is too large and has different mounting points. You can get a Medium case diff from a 6 cyl. e30 or z3, which will bolt up, but you will want the 6 cyl axles and will need to shim the ABS sensors. 2. you want the S52 engine harness and ECU only for the swap. No need to worry about any of the M3 body harness. 3. Feel free to post, email or PM me with questions. | Thanks for the info. I will do some additional research on which diff will be best/cost effective/easy to source, etc. | | | 12-09-2015, 07:04 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,019 | Find a good e28 or e30 small case LSD Diff at a junk and swap it in with the new fin case . __________________ V2 in progress. Volkswagen MK6 GTI | | | 12-12-2015, 02:17 AM | #9 | Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 58 | Quote: Originally Posted by eurohb If your interested in parting out that m44 head let me know lol. You need to host the pictures to flickr or photobucket and then inser the pics of the img link. | I have my m44 for sale pm me Sent from my SM-T817T using Tapatalk | | | 12-30-2015, 08:29 PM | #10 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | Last edited by Wpritchett; 12-30-2015 at 09:00 PM. Reason: figured out picture url issue | | | 12-30-2015, 08:56 PM | #11 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | | | | 01-05-2016, 08:23 PM | #12 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | I have started to receive goodies! valve cover gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, copper nuts, oil filter, 88C thermostat Brake caliper rebuild kits and brass bushing sets Intake gaskets Condor motor mounts, trans mounts and power steering delete Rear rotors(picked up for $22.50 each on clearance!), hood cowls, door seals, stainless braided clutch line and clutch stop. | | | 01-22-2016, 10:30 PM | #13 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | | | | 01-24-2016, 07:40 PM | #14 | Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 7 | I ran a 3.15, think it came from an m coupe. I recommend that or a 3.25 | | | 01-25-2016, 10:34 PM | #15 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 18 | Quote: Originally Posted by Coldaccord I ran a 3.15, think it came from an m coupe. I recommend that or a 3.25 | Thanks! | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |