Ultimate 4 Cylinder to 6 Cylinder Swap Thread

[HannesHG]

i'm doing a swap from a 1995 318IA to a 320I the engine is from a 1992 (M50B20) i,ve put the engine in and connected everything but my starter wont turn over i have at the moment automatic shifter connected so that the car thinks it is in park so i started looking for problems and saw that the X20 plug on the 320 has 3 more pins then the 318 its missing pin 4,5,6 could my car be an OBDII? i looked at the wiring manual in the threat but there is no pin in slot nr 8

my fuel pump does start but not the starter

how can i tell for sure that my car is an OBDI or OBDII?

sorry for bad english

[Kaantjee]

Maybe your starter is broken? Does it spark? If it does, try to push the car and start it then..
If it starts then, your starter may be broken.

[NSBMW]

Hey all, Im attempting this swap very soon. I have a 1996 318i m44 with EWS2 and I have a 1992 325i m50nv no EWS. So according to this documentation, the x20 connector does not need to be modified? I have the guage cluster computer harness, everything. I should just be able to plug and play am I right? I wont have to deal with any ews problems will I? I also have to figure out where all the sensor connectors plug into on the harness, what the easiest way to do that?

Anyone?
-do i need to modify the connectors?
-will ews be a problem?

[HannesHG]

Maybe your starter is broken? Does it spark? If it does, try to push the car and start it then..
If it starts then, your starter may be broken.

the starter is not getting a signal to start

[NSBMW]

@hannes
look under the driver side kick panel, is there a cover you can open and a connector behind it? if so then the chassis is obd2. I would say it probably is not obd2.

[EricE36]

seens to be a aws prob, do you have the ews and run the chips from the key of the m50

You need the ecu /ews/chips in the keys

[e30dewd]

I have read this post from top to bottom like 4 times, i never see any mention of the clutch switch, my 97 328is donor has one but my 96 ti does not, im curious if my starting issues, are related to this. Has anyone ever had a problem with this so called safety switch not being present in the car they are swapping into?

[NSBMW]

I have read this post from top to bottom like 4 times, i never see any mention of the clutch switch, my 97 328is donor has one but my 96 ti does not, im curious if my starting issues, are related to this. Has anyone ever had a problem with this so called safety switch not being present in the car they are swapping into?

Most likely not an issue. They are usually removed for remote starters. The car would crank in gear and jump forward. If you have no start issues. Its because of ews. You need your ews and dme alligned or an ews delete chip.

[riderke16]

So for a swap from a 95 318i, to a m52 ObdI I would need a new diff??

[NSBMW]

No. But it would be good to think about getting one. The 318 is a small case diff and not made for m52 power. Could eventually fail.

[riderke16]

Mmmk any particular one that would bolt up no problem that could handle the m52?
Also would I just need the casing from one or the whole piece?? I'm new to this haha

[NSBMW]

You would need the whole subframe, axles and driveshaft. I used a 3.15lsd medium case diff. But like I said, you can just bolt up the engine to the current axle and drive. For how long I dont know, maybe a month, maybe a year, maybe 10 years, who knows.

[riderke16]

Ya. Hmm Ai really don't want to have to redo the whole subframe but I also don't want my diff to give out. And I would hhave to do this no matter what swap I do? ??

[NSBMW]

Yea, no matter what six cylinder swap, it would be a good idea. Do the swap anyways, its not that big of a deal. Just swap and look for a diff after and just keep it on hand for when you need it.

[riderke16]

Ok that sounds good. So no major issuses should occur with that. And if I find one in a scrap yard, ill pick it up. M52 it is then! Any major changes or concerns I should be aware of with this swap?

[NSBMW]

Ews will be a problem without a delete chip. Get one first.

[riderke16]

A delete chip? K, pelican carries them I think. And do I get it based on my car or the new motor?

[NSBMW]

For the new motor. The chip is for the DME(ECU) which means you need the m52 DME in your car when you do the engine swap. You cany just use any old DME with any old engine. They have to match. turnermotorsport.com sells them as well. They are also performance chips with no top limiter and ews deleted.

[riderke16]

Ok. Cool thanks for the info. Still a bit iffy on the differential swap out. Seems like alot of work that I have no clue how to do. But ill definatly look into it some more!!

[NSBMW]

Just go for it, if its not your daily driver...otherwise, you can never read too much, pm if you want to know any more specifics!

[GUNMEtiL]

yo! Bluebimma, I'm building a swapped ti right now and wanna keep my rear bumper with the single tip cut-out. seen your pics and am wondering what exhaust set-up are you using there? or is it all custom fab? I have e36 328 exhaust can I use those cats? and than split em off to dual or can I use e46 M3 catback?

[islandtime]

I've read this entire thread and I'm still a bit confused as to the actual wiring harness needed. I've got a 5/95 318ti and a 97 S52. I have the original harness from the M3 but no DME so I can buy whichever works easiest. It will be getting chipped anyways since its getting a bigger MAF and an M50 manifold before installed in the car. I plan on using the Turner stage 1.5 setup with the M50 manifold and fuel rail but keeping the S52 injectors. Since I'm gonna be using an OBDI manifold and ditching all the S52 emissions crap would it be easier to get an M50 vanos wiring harness or just have unneeded plugs on the S52 harness? I don't mind swapping plugs or doing any wiring changes but I want the cleanest/easiest install. I bought a wrecked M3 and 95% of the engine compartment is still there so I can use any of the S52 parts and depending on how easy of a swap I can use the under car FPR as well.

[NSBMW]

Get an s52 DME and a chip with a tune for your upgrades and deleted EWS2.

[NSBMW]

Hi guys.
I have a '95 316i m43 and a '90 525i m50b25, both euro spec. I'm going to be attempting the swap in early April. Both cars are manual transmission, but I'm worried that the drivetrain is going to simply be too big for the 316. I guess we'll see.
-Nick

You'll be fine.

[meowmaster]

can someone point me on how to fix the 4cyl cluster/tacho reading high on a 6cyl car on my e36 1996