a great 3.2odb1 walk through

[Serious]

http://homepage.mac.com/aceves/OBDI/OBD_ONE1.htm

its a great 3.2odb1 walk through. and since that is probably the most common engine swap it might help to be more available.

[gobuffs]

Now why would you have a post like this...much less a sticky....in a forum whose goal is for "non BMW motor swaps into BMW chassis"?

[BimmerBoyZ3]

Now why would you have a post like this...much less a sticky....in a forum whose goal is for "non BMW motor swaps into BMW chassis"?

If you read the thread clarifying the aim of this forum, BMW mix and match parts (that means OBD1 conversions) are allowed here. Me taking a complete s50 and shoving it into an e30 is not.

[gobuffs]

If you read the thread clarifying the aim of this forum, BMW mix and match parts (that means OBD1 conversions) are allowed here. Me taking a complete s50 and shoving it into an e30 is not.

That makes less than no sense.

[Serious]

Now why would you have a post like this...much less a sticky....in a forum whose goal is for "non BMW motor swaps into BMW chassis"?

do you really care?

the link will help people doing probably the most common bmw engine swap. whats the problem?

[gobuffs]

I am not attacking you, just pointing out the inconsistencies that the powers that be are exercising around here. makes sense to me to have a BMW to BMW motor swap forum, but for whatever reason that is something that is impossible.

[JoeZ]

Makes sense to me to have a BMW to BMW motor swap forum, but for whatever reason that is something that is impossible.

I'm with you, as are others who may be less vocal than us. I've stated my opinion to Kevlar and to our mod (even tho he's just a messenger), but they still want to keep these types of swaps/conversions in the chassis specific forums.

I've explained many times that there are hints/tips/shortcuts and just plain neat ideas that can be learned from others who are shoving a motor into a place it was never intended to go. Work-arounds for things like braking systems and steering shafts that are in the way are not chassis specific, I've learned some stuff from reading of people doing swaps into Miata's and RX-7's as well as BMW swaps. This is at least the 100th time I've posted something like this so I'm going to stop typing......I just felt the need to make you aware that you aren't alone.

[runetang[1337]]

This is good thanks for posting it.

Question for anyone who knows: In that walk-through it says the power steering system from the S50 and S52 are not interchangable, so does that mean you need to purchase a different power steering when you do the OBD1 conversion, or am I misreading this?

I plan on doing the OBD1 conversion to an M52, and my car has an M50 currently. Would I be able to still use my stock power steering?

[jjjjjjj]

great walkthrough! some of the links don't work, like the one about keeping the obdII valve cover.

also there is no mention of the computer. will the same one work (from M50) with simply a custom chip??

looking forward to doing this, especially with these instructions.

[damnboy37]

I have a european 98 3.2 and a 1995 M3, do I have to convert the motor to odb1?

[dpgrand]

If you have a 95 m3, it will be easiest to convert the motor to OBDI yes.

[SneauxM3]

Does anyone know of best place to order one of the Euro spec motors through?

I know buying a US 3.2 is a waste of money since it's the same motor just added displacement. I was interested in the Euro is they're easy to come across whether rebuilt or a rebuild donor.

[dpgrand]

Why is buying a US 3.2 a waste of money?

[skippy918]

link in post #1 is dead... anyone have a live link?

[jasonf860]

link in post #1 is dead... anyone have a live link?


That link is shot. Thank god for Internet Archive!

Try this one....
http://web.archive.org/web/20080207084951/http://homepage.mac.com/aceves/OBDI/OBD_ONE1.htm

Pics are gone but the text is still there...

[skippy918]

hey thanks for the link... would be cool if anyone has the pics... or another site that has this... guess i'm late to the party

[quad1661]

yea i would appriciate this aswell

[shunn]

Now why would you have a post like this...much less a sticky....in a forum whose goal is for "non BMW motor swaps into BMW chassis"?
it does not say any such goal anywhere, it's only engine conversions/swaps.

[jasonf860]

it does not say any such goal anywhere, it's only engine conversions/swaps.

Dude, your a little late to the party...

[almostM]

Sooo... why did I read through this thread? And why is it stickied? MODERATOR!

[Ace and Ivy M3]

Wow Drama

[Uraharasan]

Sooo... why did I read through this thread? And why is it stickied? MODERATOR!

Stickied because, as has been said before, BMW engine conversions are by far the most common swaps done for a BMW.

This forum isn't just for people cramming American V8s into a BMW chassis.

[germaniac]

So is it better to use pinktop injectors?
Also, I'm doing the entire drivetrain. Do I then need to swap any of the computers (engine or tranny which is a ZF)?
One last thing for now, what do I do about going from one o2 sensor on my exhaust to having 4 o2's on the new m3 exhaust?

[BigC986]

So is it better to use pinktop injectors?
Also, I'm doing the entire drivetrain. Do I then need to swap any of the computers (engine or tranny which is a ZF)?
One last thing for now, what do I do about going from one o2 sensor on my exhaust to having 4 o2's on the new m3 exhaust?

Pink top injectors are the stock s52 21.5 pound injectors which are bigger then your stock 17 pound injectors so you tell me what you think is better(common sense). Also your stock ecu(red label) is probably the easiest ecu to use since the silver label m3 ecu has ews which yall need a chip to bypass just to make the car run. Also simply just plug up the holes with old 02 sensors and cut the wires or find whatever else you can that will safely and securely do the job.

FYI this should be a very simple swap into your e36 since its coming from another e36.

Also i remember you talking about modding it from one of your previous post, so a step up from the 21.5 injectors would 24 pound injectors. These can be found easily and for cheap(check ebay) since ford 24LB injectors bolt right up to these motors with no modications.

Goodluck.

[germaniac]

Where would I get a chip to run 24lb injectors? Also, I took a look at them on ebay and assume you are talking about the blue topped ones for the high output mustang right?
Also, Would I then have to change the mass air sensor?
Thanks for the tip and hope to get this figured out soon,
Taylor

[BigC986]

Correct, those are them. A chip can be found at tons of places such as tuner motorsport, TRM, Chuck & Staley, AA, etc even though tuner or TRM would be my preference, preferably TRM but both offer custom chips specifically for whatever mods you have which is great since you know everything is running in harmony. Also you wouldnt have to change out the stock mass air flow but doing so would be in your best interest for more power. A 3.5' 540i/740i or euro one would help put out more power over the stock 3' one.

Check this out to see what a lot of people are making on a dyno stock and with different mods

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=478545

[germaniac]

Cool. This walk through states that the dme and wiring harnes for it needs to come from the s52 setup but other sources say otherwise. Any suggestions or justifications for the different opinions?

Thats what I have heard over here too. In the process of finding 24lb injectors, 3.5' mass air flow meter and a chip/flash (not sure which I can do with mine yet or which is better). Still not sure about the dme and wiring either. I think thats about the last of the questions as well, so yay. Almost there. Engine is ready to be put in except this dme issue and injectors.
Thanks thus far for your very helpful input

[BigC986]

Cool. This walk through states that the dme and wiring harnes for it needs to come from the s52 setup but other sources say otherwise. Any suggestions or justifications for the different opinions?

Thats what I have heard over here too. In the process of finding 24lb injectors, 3.5' mass air flow meter and a chip/flash (not sure which I can do with mine yet or which is better). Still not sure about the dme and wiring either. I think thats about the last of the questions as well, so yay. Almost there. Engine is ready to be put in except this dme issue and injectors.
Thanks thus far for your very helpful input

The obd-2 wiring harness wont work with a the obd-1 set up your engine is in and that is 100% fact. They are two totally different harnesses with different plugs and what not. For example the fuel rail is connected to obd-1 wiring harness, unlike on the obd-2 one. Also is your car going to be manual or automatic? If its a auto, i guarantee yall be hurting the performance of the car a lot. The auto m3s have been proven to be slugs compared to the manual counterparts.

[Bimmer182]

Does anyone know of best place to order one of the Euro spec motors through?

I know buying a US 3.2 is a waste of money since it's the same motor just added displacement. I was interested in the Euro is they're easy to come across whether rebuilt or a rebuild donor.

The US 3.2 is not a waste of money... I have an N/A OBD 1 S52 and it is ridiculously fast...no one has faith in the US 3.2...

[Heiner]

very helpful, thanks!

[DiegoMesa]

Do you have to change out the injectors? or can you keep the ones out of the s50?

[BigC986]

Do you have to change out the injectors? or can you keep the ones out of the s50?

Yes you have to change the injectors. m/s52's come with pink top 21.5 injectors while m/s50's come with i believe 18/19 pound injectors.

Depending if your planning on modding, you can even pick up a pair of ford 24 pound injectors for pretty cheap and slap them in.

[DiegoMesa]

Do you NEED a new chip?

[BMWMPow3r]

great writeup. Very detailed.

[hakentt]

I have the ability to reprogram the OBD2 ecu so that it works same as OBD1, no need to spend money on OBD1 engine management.

[Messi]

If you have a 95 m3, it will be easiest to convert the motor to OBDI yes.



why you say that I have 95 M3

[Messi]

its a great 3.2odb1 walk through. and since that is probably the most common engine swap it might help to be more available.




Link is broken

[PITT M3 RR]

Link is def broken...anyone save this in a pdf or anything? Im trying to see if I want to use this S52 or sell it and need a little more info on this process.

[ChuckDizzle]

Link is def broken...anyone save this in a pdf or anything? Im trying to see if I want to use this S52 or sell it and need a little more info on this process.

+1

been gathering as much info as I can about converting the S52 to OBD-I and looking for as many resources as possible. I think I have most of the parts necessary as they are coming from my S50 anyway but I want to make sure the motor is ready for a straight forward swap into my e36

[zJACKRABBIT]

Why is buying a US 3.2 a waste of money?
Seriously! Euro s50's make more power sure but are much more difficult to come by and I would imagine more costly to maintain as the parts are going to be more unique to the motor. But that's just me, I've never owned a Euro s50 so idk for sure.

[Frank@AchillesMotorsports]

FYI Anyone looking for Coolant Adapter Pipe we now make a really simple bolt on solution!

Achilles Motorsports OBD2 to OBD1 Conversion Coolant Hose Adapter for BMW E36 E30 M50 M52 S52 Engines (http://www.achillesmotorsports.com/OBD2-OBD1-Conversion-Coolant-Hose-Adapter-E36-E30-p/11-am-chcap-obd1.htm)
All o-rings, bolts and washers included!
498929
498930

498931

[e38Eric]

Im in need of help. I was hoping to swap my 95 non ews obd1 dme into my 96 ews2 obd2 what kinda project am i getting into with this?

- - - Updated - - -

Their both e38 but the 95 has the 4.0 (m-60?)

- - - Updated - - -

So far I've done the ews bypass to the 96 and got it to turn over but no fuel pump, and im assuming no ignition. Pretty sure its still related to the ews. Can the 95 obd1 dme even be used in the 96 obd2 dme, or will it require a total obd1 conversion of sorts?

[breadboy830]

Is the cost of swapping a s52 more than like 6500