Engine swap questions

[Deviate]

Okay, so right now it's not "questions" but a single question. I'm sure there will be more later, though.

93 525i Touring.

Donor car was an s50 with a 5-speed. Unfortantely the tranny was toast and I just don't have the time to piece together a manual swap before the m50 that's in there right now explodes into many, many pieces.

Will the s50 DME work with the slushbox that's in there now? If not, will the m50 DME run the s50 well enough to get by until I can procure an s50 automatic DME? Can I just swap the chip in the s50 or m50 DME with one meant for a slushbox s50?

I'm probably going to start freshening up the s50 today (head gasket, water pump, plugs, belts, etc) to drop in this weekend.

Many thanks,

-Lee

[Beast419]

Yes, the 506DME (S50 ECU) will run in 525i. Or you can run the Red Label 413 (that's probably what you have) w/ an S50 chip (stock or TMS, TRM, etc.). You can use the Silver label 413 too, but you need a chip for EWS delete. There is a seperate computer for Auto Tranny located in the passenger side kick panel.

Even if the tranny is bad, you should just source another one and do the 5-speed swap. The only PITA part is the pedal box/ steering column dissasembly.

Is the Auto Tranny original? Do you know the history on it (rebuilt, replaced when, etc.)? If not, then you are taking a big risk for little gain. Bite the bullet and get another ZF.

I just finished an S50 w/ 5-speed ZF on my '95 525iT and I love it.

HTH,
Ben

[Deviate]

Yes, the 506DME (S50 ECU) will run in 525i. Or you can run the Red Label 413 (that's probably what you have) w/ an S50 chip (stock or TMS, TRM, etc.). You can use the Silver label 413 too, but you need a chip for EWS delete. There is a seperate computer for Auto Tranny located in the passenger side kick panel.

Even if the tranny is bad, you should just source another one and do the 5-speed swap. The only PITA part is the pedal box/ steering column dissasembly.

Is the Auto Tranny original? Do you know the history on it (rebuilt, replaced when, etc.)? If not, then you are taking a big risk for little gain. Bite the bullet and get another ZF.

I just finished an S50 w/ 5-speed ZF on my '95 525iT and I love it.

HTH,
Ben

Yes, the slushbox is OEM. I'm not worried about the tranny right now, though. It's not the piece that has me concerned. We have extensive service records on the car, including transmission services, so I have no doubts that it'll last long enough for me to source some parts for a swap. Not so confident about the m50 lasting that long, though.

Tranny swaps are easy when the time comes. This will all be done on a lift in a professional BMW shop, so it won't be too bad.

My main concern at the moment was whether or not the slushbox would be able to work with the swapped DME from the s50. If the transmission is controlled by a completely seperate computer, I should be home free.

It will be a manual transmission car in the not-so-distant future, it just isn't going to be this weekend.

[Beast419]

Fair enough, just trying to save you some time. Anyways, it should be literally plug and play. Just make sure you use a 506 chip if you use the 413 DME.

Ben

[Deviate]

Fair enough, just trying to save you some time. Anyways, it should be literally plug and play. Just make sure you use a 506 chip if you use the 413 DME.

Ben

Thanks. As much as I'd love to rip out the autotragic this weekend, too, it's just not in the cards. Oh well.

I'll likely have one of our techs helping me out, so it shouldn't be too bad. Only problem is that he's not familiar with swaps and which DMEs will work with which setups, hence the thread.

That'll leave me with two m50's on engine stands to tinker with while I'm running the s50. :redspot