s52 into a 530it + manual swap

[badassbmwm3]

Hey guys, I already have a obdi converted s52 and a 530it and wanted to combine them to make use of them. My questions are mainly focused on wiring and relocations. Anyone perform such a task before?
I could also really use a list of parts needed for the motor swap such as which motor mounts to use, which subframe to run and so on.
Thanks in advance and any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

[AHenry014]

doable, but almost literally a drop in on a 525it, but not the v8 530it. that car is a candidate for the b40/6spd swap.

that being said, mikeday here went from an i6 car to a v8 car. the reverse is doable like i said, but not without trouble. the brake booster and stuff is right where the i6 airbox is. the "rearmost" front subframe is different from the i6 to the v8 car. the v8 one extending further back. not sure how that effects the swap, but im sure there will be an issue of bellhousing clearance. motor mount brackets and stuff need to come from an m50 e34 car. wiring will all be v8 related, and bracketry that exists in the bay is different. i would highly suggest finding a 525it and leave the 530it alone.

[Layne]

I'll trade you an M60B40 for the S52.

[badassbmwm3]

I'll trade you an M60B40 for the S52.

Texas is kinda far. Also, I already have this drivetrain along with a e34 525 manual as a donor. Plus I'd then have to source a 6spd transmission along with all the parts to go with that.

The motor is still good in the 530, just not enough power for me. I already have the obdi converted s52 and the transmission with it which will not only convert it to manual and increase power, but drop a good bit of weight also along with getting better gas mileage. Also, I have a donor e34 525i manual for swap parts, just not sure which all parts i need to swap. My main concern is what is to be done with the electronics like engine harness, body harness, cluster/cluster harness and which parts to use from the two cars.
Currently I know i need to use the driveshaft, center console, front subframe, oil pan, clutch pedal assembly and clutch lines from the e34 525 5spd.
I have read a few contradictory articles on which cluster to use, along with the harness for it. Any one know this stuff?

[Layne]

Texas is kinda far. Plus I'd then have to source a 6spd transmission along with all the parts to go with that.

The engine is located in Atlanta, and I have a 6 speed. :D I don't really need an S52, I just really really don't need the M60.

[bigsixe34]

Tourings aren't exactly abundant but it wouldn't be going the easiest route to do that with a 530iT rather than into one that's already got an m50...
A b40 touring is also :naughty

[Gravik]

Sell 530it and get a 525i/iT?

[Layne]

A b40 touring is also :naughty

Confirmed. (I drive one :D)
I expect the S52 would feel very different though. The V8 is powerful, but lazy. The S38 is always trying to go faster than you want it to, and the M60 is always trying to go slower (I've never driven an S52 to compare). Of course my friends M5 has a 3.91 diff, I'm sure my V8 would be much more lively with that in there too. But the M5 gets 25mpg at 80mph with a low diff, and my V8 gets 25mpg at 60mph with a high diff. There's a big difference in the way they feel.

[badassbmwm3]

I've driven a e34 touring with a s52 in it and I REALLY liked how it drove. It was not even obdi converted :) I'd just hate to get all the swap stuff done and be stuck with wiring issues for a month or two. Just trying to figure that stuff out before I dive into the project.

[Ionz]

there is a 525iT/5 for sale on atlanta craig's list. shame he wants so much for it though.

[e34Mpower525i]

ive got an s52 in my 93 525 sedan and its awesome only thing is i stupidly used the stock getrag and it took a crap so i have a zf to put in but im having a hell of a time finding the right driveshaft for it which sucks. good luck with your swap thou youll enjoy it

[HE53]

It would be a lot of work, and I'm really not sure about the wiring to go V8 to M50 style engine... If I were you, I'd sell off the S52 and pick up an 4.0 and six speed. More power, more fun, and a MUUUUCCH easier swap.

[MazDuh]

With all of the different parts between the V8 and 6cyl cars, even though the chassis might be the same...thats about it. A complete M60/B40 swap with a 6spd is probably close to the same price as the S52. Not only that, its more power, sounds better(IMO) and has the throttle response of most bikes. The 530iT is 215hp, i have one. Its a pig, i know! However the S52 even with the most common and readily accessible mods(M50 intake, OBD1 etc etc) you're looking at less power than the M60B40. Thats a lot more work, and less output. You can get similar power numbers just by using a B40 intake and a chip on the B30 as what an S52 in stock form makes. I dunno, this just seems like going around the block to get next door.

-Eric

[nightwing66]

So you're the guy that called and wanted to trade lol. Cheers

[bigsixe34]

It would be a lot of work, and I'm really not sure about the wiring to go V8 to M50 style engine... If I were you, I'd sell off the S52 and pick up an 4.0 and six speed. More power, more fun, and a MUUUUCCH easier swap.


With all of the different parts between the V8 and 6cyl cars, even though the chassis might be the same...thats about it. A complete M60/B40 swap with a 6spd is probably close to the same price as the S52. Not only that, its more power, sounds better(IMO) and has the throttle response of most bikes. The 530iT is 215hp, i have one. Its a pig, i know! However the S52 even with the most common and readily accessible mods(M50 intake, OBD1 etc etc) you're looking at less power than the M60B40. Thats a lot more work, and less output. You can get similar power numbers just by using a B40 intake and a chip on the B30 as what an S52 in stock form makes. I dunno, this just seems like going around the block to get next door.

-Eric
Definitely agree that the m60 swap would be night and day easier with this particular car, but I wouldn't be so fast to say it would outright have more power, or be more fun. The way an s52 rips through the last few thousand RPMs is pretty awesome. You can really tell that the power comes from the cams. A stock 540 will put down what? 240HP? With the regular bolt-ons I think a strong s52 gets there no problem.

[Baupfhor]

Gas mileage is the only plus in this swap IMO

[MazDuh]

For the cost of the S52 mods you can do the usual(and few) M60 mods and get to 255-260whp with relative ease. an S52 needs more than bolt ons to get there. I have scoured over countless S52 dyno graphs since i'm doing and S52 swap in my E36 and most cars with software, OBD1 intake, headers, exhaust achieve right at 235-240whp. thats $150, $100, $600, $600 on average for those mods(looking at quality parts, not ebay cheapo headers). thats nearly $1500 to go from 215whp to what, 240? Don't get me wrong i LOVE the S52, and if this were an M50 car i'd be all in favor. Lets consider the other side of things, reliability. How many bad M60's have you seen?(NOT counting nikasil) I have seen a couple but they are all 100% due to lack of maintenance. How cheap are they to replace? an M60B40 is $4-500 for a quality decent mileage motor. An S52, while mostly reliable has vanos to contend with, amongs the typical cooling system issues. a replacement motor is $1500 for a high mileage engine that runs well. $2-2500 will get you a nice used one with decent miles.

Aside from all of this, it is indeed your decision. Remember theres no such thing as a free lunch, you have to value your time and labor in this as well.

-Eric

[bigsixe34]

Well all discussion aside, the point is that it would be entirely more cost effective to go with an m60 swap into a 530 touring over an s52 swap. You'll have more getup out of the box and the work will be exponentially more straightforward.

[e34Mpower525i]

I don't understand why everyone's arguing it the guy who's doing the swap already stated what he wants to do and what he's going to do and instead of helping him work out how to do it everybody's just arguing about why its stupid its his car to do with what he wants so help him and come up with solutions instead of saying its stupid and telling him to do a swap he doesn't want to do.

[badassbmwm3]

For the cost of the S52 mods you can do the usual(and few) M60 mods and get to 255-260whp with relative ease. an S52 needs more than bolt ons to get there. I have scoured over countless S52 dyno graphs since i'm doing and S52 swap in my E36 and most cars with software, OBD1 intake, headers, exhaust achieve right at 235-240whp. thats $150, $100, $600, $600 on average for those mods(looking at quality parts, not ebay cheapo headers). thats nearly $1500 to go from 215whp to what, 240? Don't get me wrong i LOVE the S52, and if this were an M50 car i'd be all in favor. Lets consider the other side of things, reliability. How many bad M60's have you seen?(NOT counting nikasil) I have seen a couple but they are all 100% due to lack of maintenance. How cheap are they to replace? an M60B40 is $4-500 for a quality decent mileage motor. An S52, while mostly reliable has vanos to contend with, amongs the typical cooling system issues. a replacement motor is $1500 for a high mileage engine that runs well. $2-2500 will get you a nice used one with decent miles.

Aside from all of this, it is indeed your decision. Remember theres no such thing as a free lunch, you have to value your time and labor in this as well.

-Eric

I already have a s52 with 90k on it with a obdi conversion, headers, 3.5 maf and boot, 24lb injectors, oil temp sensor, ltw flywheel, oil pump nut wired and so on. Got it for nearly nothing. Had it a while so obviously I'm going to use what I have already. Losing the the weight does more than save gas though, it's the same as adding hp.
If it didn't already have it, and it wasn't sooo cheap, I obviously would consider another v8. Honestly I'd still lean towards the s52 though. Mods are just as cheap, if not cheaper along with the fact that they exist at all lol. Much harder to find the mods for the v8's.

This thread has gotten off topic though. The question was not which to go with as I have already made that decision. Rather it is how to do the swap.

Anyone have on topic advice for me please? It would be GREATLY appreciated!


I don't understand why everyone's arguing it the guy who's doing the swap already stated what he wants to do and what he's going to do and instead of helping him work out how to do it everybody's just arguing about why its stupid its his car to do with what he wants so help him and come up with solutions instead of saying its stupid and telling him to do a swap he doesn't want to do.

Couldn't have said it better. I do appreciate the advice from everyone, but its getting this project no where lol.
+10

[atl530i]

Sounds like a cool swap. You will need the S52 harness and ECU along with any other wiring needed. The only thing that would throw me off is what to do with the remote brake booster and ABS crap in the left front of the engine bay. I would put it on the firewall and call it a day, just would need the right hardware to make it work.

[badassbmwm3]

Sounds like a cool swap. You will need the S52 harness and ECU along with any other wiring needed. The only thing that would throw me off is what to do with the remote brake booster and ABS crap in the left front of the engine bay. I would put it on the firewall and call it a day, just would need the right hardware to make it work.

I think I just have to cut the brackets off and relocate the components. I have the other 525 manual for parts to do that. Mainly worried about issues I've heard about the cluster and wiring and all

[e34Mpower525i]

I think I just have to cut the brackets off and relocate the components. I have the other 525 manual for parts to do that. Mainly worried about issues I've heard about the cluster and wiring and all

Just out of curiosity what year is that 525 your using for parts I've got some stuff I need for my 525 that i'd buy from you granted you don't need it for the swap

[bigsixe34]

You need a Vanos e34 engine harness, so assuming the donor 525i you have is a '93-'95 then pull that one. As far as s52 specific engine wiring, not sure if it's been done yet to your engine, but you'll need to adapt the single coolant sensor of the s52 to the two separate sensor connectors on the 525 harness via soldering the wires or buying this:http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-508-obdi-conversion-part-water-temp-sensor-wiring-adaptor.aspx Everything else is fairly straightforward with the wiring to the engine/components itself.
Can't say much about the cluster because I've never done an auto->manual swap but someone else will chime in.

[MazDuh]

You will need a 6cyl manual trans Code plug for the cluster. The miles will not be the same. The 6cyl and 8cyl tach signals are different. My 540 had a 6cyl code plug and because of this an indicated 6k was actually 4500rpm. Thankfully, the idiots that had my car never figured this out so it never really got rev'd to oblivion.
Also, the AT and MT Code plugs are different, if you use an AT code plug there will be a trans program error code in your clusters display. If you can find any 6cyl manual trans code plug you'll be golden.

you also will need a 91-95 525i M50 power steering pump and power steering lines. I am not sure if the steering box is the same, im sure someone knows.

the V8 and I6 have a completely different cooling system routing so you'll need to use the radiator, fan shroud, expansion tank from a 525i.

As far as a harness, as long as you have an OBD1 93-95(up to build date 12/94) 525i 5-speed harness you'll be fine. Don't mess with the EWS-II system on the 1/95 or later 525i, it isn't worth the headache.

You may need to use an M50V oil filter housing, that all depends on the power steering pump pulley spacing...theres a million different ways to do this though.

Hope this helps.
-Eric

[bigsixe34]

OP, you should really PM mikeday1036. He'd be a real good source of info for your swap.

[badassbmwm3]

The engine is located in Atlanta, and I have a 6 speed. :D I don't really need an S52, I just really really don't need the M60.

I understand, but there is a big price difference in our motors in favor of mine. If I was going to do that I'd sell mine and buy a m60b40. Not what I'm choosing to do though. A6 speed would be cool, but all the extra weight added defeats the purpose of the swap. Losing weight is gaining horses ya know? Glws though.

[badassbmwm3]

Getting close to completion. Just picked up some style 42's and installing billie hd's and h&r lowering springs :)
Estimated completion is about 2 weeks from now (having work to do on the side eats up most of my time).
Thanks for all the advice thus far!

I'm thinking that I do not need to relocate the abs/booster and such since im going FROM v8 TO i6. Is that right?

[GGray]

Getting close to completion. Just picked up some style 42's and installing billie hd's and h&r lowering springs :)
Estimated completion is about 2 weeks from now (having work to do on the side eats up most of my time).
Thanks for all the advice thus far!

I'm thinking that I do not need to relocate the abs/booster and such since im going FROM v8 TO i6. Is that right?

YOu won't have to relocate anything.

You should have put an M60 in it. 286hp and 295ft trq is more grunt than an S52. Ant the M60 is not much heavier than an S52 due to the boat anchor cast block in the S52... My 540 M sport on track runs down stock E36m3's over 80mph... With the 2.93 in it....

And with an exhaust.. the M60 sounds great...

[badassbmwm3]

YOu won't have to relocate anything.

You should have put an M60 in it. 286hp and 295ft trq is more grunt than an S52. Ant the M60 is not much heavier than an S52 due to the boat anchor cast block in the S52... My 540 M sport on track runs down stock E36m3's over 80mph... With the 2.93 in it....

And with an exhaust.. the M60 sounds great...

I see where your coming from but the motor won't be stock so weight reduction is a little bigger of a deal in this case. Also, parts are cheaper and more readily available now and it will be a lot easier to work on with TONS of room under the hood. But going from the b30 to b40 was a consideration for a while. Earlier in the thread I mentioned that already having the motor was a plus. The money saves got dumped into building the motor internals (cams, lifters, head gasket and studs incase we boost it later and so on).

[MazDuh]

I think we all tried to bring the M60B40 swap idea up above the S52. But OP, i think you'll be happy with the S52. Great engine, great power band. Don't expect to be as fast as the B40 would've been, but still a drastic improvement over that dumb B30.

-Eric

[Cheche]

he is almost done anyway and I am sure he will be happy with the end result, pics of the build and end result will be appreciated!

[badassbmwm3]

I think we all tried to bring the M60B40 swap idea up above the S52. But OP, i think you'll be happy with the S52. Great engine, great power band. Don't expect to be as fast as the B40 would've been, but still a drastic improvement over that dumb B30.

-Eric

Thanks.
With shtick cams, metal head gasket and studs, obdi conversion, weight reduction, performance software, bigger injectors, ltw flywheel, short shifter and so on, I have hopes that it may be as fast as the B40 but cheaper and easier to work on. Well see. I'll get a dyno eventually when it's done and let y'all know.


he is almost done anyway and I am sure he will be happy with the end result, pics of the build and end result will be appreciated!

Pics are for sure. I'll need to dump them on my computer and resize them when I'm finished and then put pics up for y'all.

[MazDuh]

Most of the full bolt on+ cam S52's i see dyno around 240-245whp. I've seen some in the 250's. A stock M60B40 that runs well is about 255whp. Also, i think the weight is similar, the M60 is all aluminum and the S52 is an iron block. Should be close though! Get some numbers, and some pics!

[badassbmwm3]

I'll weigh the motors and compare for every one in the next week or so.
There's a huge difference in this small 5spd manual and huge auto trans too I'm sure. I'll just get complete weights so I don't have to brake them down.

[badassbmwm3]

Who is ready to play "I TOLD YOU SO"? lol
Selling the S52 we built over the past few months to go in this can and getting a m60b40/6spd.
Should have done this from the get-go. I dont feel like changing the body harness nor cutting the plug and splicing in a new connector to the engine harness.
Could I do it? YES. Do I want to do it? NOOOOO
So anyone selling a none nikasil setup or want to buy this very nice S52 setup?
Possibly a trade with some cash in my direction?

[AHenry014]

muahaha. well at least your going in the right direction now. would have let you take my touring for a spin if you were local to help you make up your mind months ago! ;-)

[badassbmwm3]

muahaha. well at least your going in the right direction now. would have let you take my touring for a spin if you were local to help you make up your mind months ago! ;-)

That would have been nice. I looked at the number and the b40 produce more hp, more torque and only weighs 100ish pounds more.

It would have been nice to just drop the s52 in since I had it, but now I got that motor to sell so I can buy the b40/6spd setup.

Who can help with that?