Engine swap and vanos wires...

[Bruno]

I am going to install a M52 228 single vanos engine inside my E36.
The problem is that I have a '92 non vanos engine right now.

Do I need to get a '93 ->'95 525/325i engine harness?
I want to keep everything under OBDI and I don't want the 2.8 OBDII harness.

I know I have complicated questions.

[Mr Project]

Wouldn't this be pretty much the same as the OBD-I swap people do with the S52B32 engines? I would think there would be some info on those since that is so common.

[winfred]

93-95 harness/computer and you can use your intake


I am going to install a M52 228 single vanos engine inside my E36.
The problem is that I have a '92 non vanos engine right now.

Do I need to get a '93 ->'95 525/325i engine harness?
I want to keep everything under OBDI and I don't want the 2.8 OBDII harness.

I know I have complicated questions.

[Bruno]

93-95 harness/computer and you can use your intake

Thanks I will be looking for these parts now...

I am exited with the 2.8 race modified engine, the M3 cams, the M50 intake a custom chip from EAT, I hope to get close to 230 - 240 HP.

With the lightweight Race car, I should be faster than a stock M3...

[Bruno]

93-95 harness/computer and you can use your intake

What about ignition coils? Do you keep the 325i ones of you use the 328i one???

This is an odd one as they switch ignition coils in between...
I would think that you use the same ignition coils as the DME... no?

[Jon K]

What about ignition coils? Do you keep the 325i ones of you use the 328i one???

This is an odd one as they switch ignition coils in between...
I would think that you use the same ignition coils as the DME... no?


You should be using the M52 coils.... be sure to use the OBDI intake manifold from your M50 on the M52 for a VERY respectful torque increase.

[MarkD]

I am going to install a M52 228 single vanos engine inside my E36.
The problem is that I have a '92 non vanos engine right now.

Do I need to get a '93 ->'95 525/325i engine harness?
I want to keep everything under OBDI and I don't want the 2.8 OBDII harness.

I know I have complicated questions.

Bruno,
if you decide to go to OBD-II I can make you cutom software for it also.
I have already made software for the USA M3 and 328 with the early M50 intake manifold.

Mark

[Jon K]

Bruno,
if you decide to go to OBD-II I can make you cutom software for it also.
I have already made software for the USA M3 and 328 with the early M50 intake manifold.

Mark


Mark, wouldn't it be more sensible, if there is an option, to revert to OBDI for tuning capabilities? Most of my friends do 3.2 OBDI motors.

[winfred]

if it was me id look into which had more ass, you need to use the valve cover that goes with the coils, for some ******* reason bmw changed the spacing between the holes of the coil, m50 coils with the aluminum cover and plastic cover with the m52 coils


What about ignition coils? Do you keep the 325i ones of you use the 328i one???

This is an odd one as they switch ignition coils in between...
I would think that you use the same ignition coils as the DME... no?

[Brandon J]

It's been several years since I have looked in depth about this stuff so bear with me.

I see the bigger problem being the actual vanos. If memory serves me right, the M50tu engine has 2 wires connecting to the vanos unit while the M52 has 3. I have heard of people just installing the M50tu vanos to conquer the problem and not messing with the wiring harness. There might be a way to connect the 2.8L vanos to the M50tu wiring harness.

[Bruno]

It's been several years since I have looked in depth about this stuff so bear with me.

I see the bigger problem being the actual vanos. If memory serves me right, the M50tu engine has 2 wires connecting to the vanos unit while the M52 has 3. I have heard of people just installing the M50tu vanos to conquer the problem and not messing with the wiring harness. There might be a way to connect the 2.8L vanos to the M50tu wiring harness.

Crap... this is getting complicated...
What about people doing the S52 conversion to OBDI??? Do they change their vanos also?

[winfred]

i don't recall 3 wires on the couple m52s i've done head jobs on, they looked exactly like m50s with the exception of where the cps was in the block above the starter, but the boss is still on the front cover, which reminds me use your m50 harmonic ballencer, the teeth are different and the m50 computer don't like it. they may be thinking about the m54 with it's double vanos



Crap... this is getting complicated...
What about people doing the S52 conversion to OBDI??? Do they change their vanos also?

[Bruno]

i don't recall 3 wires on the couple m52s i've done head jobs on, they looked exactly like m50s with the exception of where the cps was in the block above the starter, but the boss is still on the front cover, which reminds me use your m50 harmonic ballencer, the teeth are different and the m50 computer don't like it. they may be thinking about the m54 with it's double vanos

Thanks a lot, I will make sure to document everything about the swap... This is going to be a steep learning curve.

[Karl]

Check Pete McHenry, listed in the Roundel, he's the engine swapping wizard.

[Brandon J]

You could also check out Zionsville's CD on OBDI conversions for the 3.2L and 2.8L. It runs about $80US. It has pictures and lots of info.

[Bruno]

You could also check out Zionsville's CD on OBDI conversions for the 3.2L and 2.8L. It runs about $80US. It has pictures and lots of info.

Was thinking about it, but I can't bring myself to fork out 80 US.. I better put that towards a lightweight flywheel...

[winfred]

a m20 flywheel will work and use a m20 starter with it (different teeth on the ring gear), a 325i clutch really wakes up a 318 e30 or e36, the 90 318i i built my cousin with a single mass e30 flywheel was the best heel toe car i've driven


Was thinking about it, but I can't bring myself to fork out 80 US.. I better put that towards a lightweight flywheel...

[Bruno]

what is the weight of the M20 flywheel??? I was going to buy a 10lb one instead of the 25lb in the car right now.

[winfred]

theres a few different ones, i have one from a old 528e that's the lightest stocker i've seen at around 15# that i am saving for my 325is, the standard 325i unit is about 1/8-1/4" thicker on the engine side

[J-Roc]

Do you have to upgrade the MAF sensor as well?

[rob101]

Do you have to upgrade the MAF sensor as well?
No, but you might have to stop dragging posts up from 3 years ago.

[winfred]

mmmmmm could be :D


No, but you might have to stop dragging posts up from 3 years ago.

[Bruno]

Do you have to upgrade the MAF sensor as well?

I love my old post, the engine blew a piston and is back in the car, running strong on forged pistons now.

Yes I had to change the MAF, the non vanos MAF is different.

[J-Roc]

Bruno, thanks for the info! Rob, I'm having problems getting this engine in my 525I to run and this info is pertinent in my quest to get this POS 2.5L VANOS engine running. If I have to bring up old posts, so be it...I dont mean to step on any toes, but you can always skip or unsubscribe this thread in your "USER CP". :shrug:

[rob101]

Bruno, thanks for the info! Rob, I'm having problems getting this engine in my 525I to run and this info is pertinent in my quest to get this POS 2.5L VANOS engine running. If I have to bring up old posts, so be it...I dont mean to step on any toes, but you can always skip or unsubscribe this thread in your "USER CP". :shrug:
Why don't you go drink from the "noob cup". nobody wants to re-read posts from 3 years ago so unsubscribe or not don't do it.

oh and BTW fill out your profile or shogun will tell you where to go next time you post.:p

[rob101]

Nice thread btw bruno. has anyone ever put a m52 in an e34? that is the question in my head atm.

[Spasso]

Nice thread btw bruno. has anyone ever put a m52 in an e34? that is the question in my head atm.
I am asking the same questions here,
http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=34684