New 318ti.org member- swap questions

[mooseheadm5]

Hello all,
I just purchased a 1997 318ti with a blown motor. Got it super cheap. I have a 1995 325i M50TU on an engine stand here at the shop and, naturally, thought ENGINE SWAP! I know I technically can't do this, but we have no emmisions testing here in Charlottesville, VA, and only a weak state inspection program.
Anyhow, here is my dilemma. i have the engine and wiring harness for the M50TU manual (Getrag 5sp came with the motor,) as well as a wiring harness for an M50TU auto. The ti is an auto. Can I make this work without doing the 5 speed conversion? I will do it later, but I want this car on the road ASAP and I don't know where to find the required driveshaft for the 5-speed conversion. I also know that with the particular computer that I have that I will have to do an EWS delete chip from TMS/Conforti, but what about the speed sensor delete? Never heard of that before. Also, I have access to many different flavors of E30/E28 med. case diff, but only 2 small case diffs (the 4.44 that is in the car and an 84 318i 3.91). Can I use E30 325 axles and a medium case diff? I'm sure I have more questions, so I'll be back.
-Paul
P.S. -please no flaming on the M50 instead of M52. I have the M50 and harness and would like to use it. Thanks!

[pnosker]

Hey, the M50 is good in my book. I think J!M has a conversion manual out there, maybe you should get in contact with him.

[pdxmotorhead]

Its no easier to not do the tranny at the same time as the engine. IMHO.

All doing the tranny later would mean is tearing it all apart a second time...

Dave

[mooseheadm5]

Thanks for the swift reply. BTW, stoopid n00b mistake, found the diff swap info in another section, so I will be doing that.
As for the tranny swap, I need pedals and a driveshaft (and I guess some sort of trim ring for the shift boot?) Anything else? What driveshafts fit anyway?
-Paul

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by mooseheadm5

Thanks for the swift reply. BTW, stoopid n00b mistake, found the diff swap info in another section, so I will be doing that.
As for the tranny swap, I need pedals and a driveshaft (and I guess some sort of trim ring for the shift boot?) Anything else? What driveshafts fit anyway?
-Paul

Any driveshaft from a 5sp 318ti will work. You need, pedals, slave and master cylinders, soft line/hard line for the clutch, no trim ring needed, just the boot.

[mooseheadm5]

I got the slave and lines with the engine/trans. Where can I get a ti manual driveshaft? That doesn't seem like an easy part to source.
-Paul