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Thread: Ford 302 E30 build...

  1. #1
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    Ford 302 E30 build...

    Already got an alright start on this. I'm not in a big rush, so it'll be a slow thread, college will take up most of my time, and likely a part time job sometime soon. I haven't acquired the proper E34 M50 oil pan/pickup/dipstick yet, but I should have a line on one soon. Engine is out of both cars, and I've pressure washed the engine bay and trans tunnel on the E30. The 330ci is my 01, with a nice 8" wide hole where the rear drivers side rear subframe mount used to be. BMW refused to fix my car, claimed a bs accident(which my mechanic confirmed is false) and then claimed my H&R springs made me "too modified". I got tired of fighting with them and picked up this 86 eta shell.





    I plan on wide bodying it a little bit(especially if I can fit the E24 rear subframe I picked up, its mount points are roughly 1cm further apart than the E30, but should physically fit under the E30). Full 5 lug swap all around, so I can run the X5 rims I have on my 330. I'd like to be able to tuck 255's under it.
    Engine out of the eta, pre pressure wash:


    Engine out of the 330:


    I'm going to be using the Getrag transmission out of the eta, because, even with 143k on the clock, the car was stock for the entire life of it, so being an eta, it's pretty logical to assume it couldn't have been abused, so the Getrag trans should have less wear on it than the ZF trans in my 150k 330.

    I'm undecided as to what diff I'll be using, either 3.25 LSD or 3.73 LSD.

    I'll be running the stock MS43 DME on the engine, hoping that it will make the swap a bit more straight forward. I've got the Bentley for both the E30 and the E46, so I'll be referencing that for all of the wiring.

    The eta will ultimately wind up gutted and caged, it won't be much for daily driving, but I would like to be able to take it out to the track and really be able to push it. I'll likely be building a sheet metal dash for it as well, don't really need the stock dash, plus it's cracked to hell anyways, thanks Texas sun.


    Today I got the rear subframe out of the E30. I've got an E24 rear subframe that I got for free, that I'm considering modifying to fit the E30 for a cheap 5 lug swap. The E24 subframe would fit under the E30 no sweat, the mounts are about half an inch apart, so offset bushings would be needed. The only thing I have to do to fit it is grind down the bead along the side of the subframe by the mounts on each side, and only a tiny bit of it would need to come off. Probably would patch it up with a weld, so it doesn't cause an issue structurally... I'm concerned about the spot where the shock/spring mounts on the E24 though... With the E30, the shock mounts below the axle, on the E24, it mounts directly above the axle, and uses a coil over setup, so I'm concerned it's going to cause some headache when I get the subframe mounted in the car. I also measured how far from the subframe mount the rear wheel was on the E24 rear end versus the E30, and it'd move the wheel rearwards about 1/4", maybe slightly less, so I don't think that's an area of much concern.
    Last edited by e24mpwr; 07-25-2018 at 10:15 AM.

  2. #2
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    Sorry to hear about the troubles with your E46. www.r3vlimited.com will have some great info on 5-lug swaps and m50 engine swaps for you, I do think the E24 subframe maybe alot of work when there are other solutions. Good luck with the swap, keep in mind that the ms43 sends engine info over the can bus to the DME so gauges may be an issue.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by caperix View Post
    Sorry to hear about the troubles with your E46. www.r3vlimited.com will have some great info on 5-lug swaps and m50 engine swaps for you, I do think the E24 subframe maybe alot of work when there are other solutions. Good luck with the swap, keep in mind that the ms43 sends engine info over the can bus to the DME so gauges may be an issue.
    This post is also on r3v in the 24v section. I don't think E24 rear end would be all that much work, I can take care of the bushing issue with welding instead of having offset bushings machined, basically make solid mounts. The M24 is also favorable to me because the CV axles are, or appear to be, beefier than the E30 CV's. They're also bolted in on each side, unlike the E30, so easier replacement. Besides, if I were doing this project for ease of swap, would I be doing an M54? Guages will be analog guages, not based on the digital sources the DME uses, not interested in the buffered temp sensor, for example.
    Last edited by AdamBath; 05-30-2010 at 05:50 PM.

  4. #4
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    im doing an m54 swap...

    dude your going to need to convert it to obd1 and run it off s50 electonics

    it seems to be the only way to do it

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by E36 HateR View Post
    im doing an m54 swap...

    dude your going to need to convert it to obd1 and run it off s50 electonics

    it seems to be the only way to do it
    Why?

  6. #6
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    unless you want to try and splice the chassis harness from the e46 into the e30...

    also you bypass 3 o2 sensors and unlock power...

    a guy did an m54b30 into his e30 and made 215 whp with just vanos on one camshaft and stock engine..

    now hes around 230whp with a super flat torque curve with peak tq at like 2k rpm's

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by E36 HateR View Post
    unless you want to try and splice the chassis harness from the e46 into the e30...

    also you bypass 3 o2 sensors and unlock power...

    a guy did an m54b30 into his e30 and made 215 whp with just vanos on one camshaft and stock engine..

    now hes around 230whp with a super flat torque curve with peak tq at like 2k rpm's
    hoveringuy, I know, I've spoken with him a lot about this build, and he's posted in my r3v thread. He's a great wealth of information, but I think having the full E46 donor car will really help my cause. I don't think I'll have an issue getting the DME running outside of the E46. Just have to be able to understand the schematics, the way I see it.

  8. #8
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    cool man..

    good luck with your build i hope the swap goes well and id love to see that e30 ripping up tires

  9. #9
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    Cool Swap.

    The dealer wiggled their way out of fixing the E46 by stating your H&R springs made it too modified?

    You know by law they have to prove that "modification" was the reason for the accident. Saying its "too modified" is bullshit.

  10. #10
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    Electronic for such swap is no problem any more.
    There is a "swap-box" availaible which connect your only body with new engine (handle CAN communication). Not you don't need to change anything.
    You simply use MS43 (or MS45) engine management with EWS and all work fine.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by mktech View Post
    Electronic for such swap is no problem any more.
    There is a "swap-box" availaible which connect your only body with new engine (handle CAN communication). Not you don't need to change anything.
    You simply use MS43 (or MS45) engine management with EWS and all work fine.
    What is the source/cost of this swap box?

  12. #12
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    Source is some european guy who develop this unit. As far i know it's build like OEM modules. So fully protected over everythig etc.
    Price is ~350 EU, so ~ 450 USD.

  13. #13
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    do you have a link to this box? Ie some where we could purchase it.
    beer rules

  14. #14
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    Hello,

    I can give you only contact to guy who know more

    istnyszatan@poczta.onet.pl

  15. #15
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    Howd this go?
    460whp/515wtq wifes MMW tuned 335i

  16. #16
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    Yeah im interested in this process as well

  17. #17
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    I forgot about this thread the engine is still sitting in my driveway, I decided this morning I'm putting the NA M54 into my 635csi, going to start converting it to OBD1 this month. Need my E24 to be reliable M54 is a great way to achieve that. The E30 will get a built M30B35 with turbo. Picked up a Garrett T04 already for it. Need to get moving on this stuff!
    Last edited by AdamBath; 06-13-2011 at 12:44 PM.

  18. #18
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    Megasquirt kit is ordered, M50 throttlebody is in my possession, VANOS/DISA controller is on the way and Zionsville mechanical thermostat housing is ordered. Hopefully I can be ready to run within the month.

  19. #19
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    There was a guy on e30 tech or R3vlimited that did an M54 swap with the M50 DME and harness. He then built two controlers one for the vanos and one for the variable intake stuff.

    He even sells those bits now.

    Check that out.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pzary3233 View Post
    There was a guy on e30 tech or R3vlimited that did an M54 swap with the M50 DME and harness. He then built two controlers one for the vanos and one for the variable intake stuff.

    He even sells those bits now.

    Check that out.
    Who do you think I purchased the VANOS/DISA controller from? I also mentioned him in this very thread...
    Last edited by AdamBath; 09-01-2011 at 01:56 PM.

  21. #21
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  22. #22
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    Jimstim is built, MS motherboard is almost complete, just a few more components to attach then it's test time. I've got a lot of soldering experience but never on PCB's like this so it's had a little bit of a learning curve. My Hakko iron I usually use is great for guitar wiring but just doesn't cut it for small circuitry like this(and Frys doesn't carry any tips for it anymore) so I picked up a different model Hakko, worked out MUCH better. Hopefully will be able to complete testing tonight.

  23. #23
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    Jimstim is built, MS motherboard is almost complete, just a few more components to attach then it's test time. I've got a lot of soldering experience but never on PCB's like this so it's had a little bit of a learning curve. My Hakko iron I usually use is great for guitar wiring but just doesn't cut it for small circuitry like this(and Frys doesn't carry any tips for it anymore) so I picked up a different model Hakko, worked out MUCH better. Hopefully will be able to complete testing tonight.

  24. #24
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    Any more updates?

  25. #25
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    Hit a snag. My wiring is pretty close to done(chopped up the stock ECU, used its igniters and it's wiring adapter to create a breakout box) but I need to purchase 2 wideband O2 sensors+controllers and I can't do that until I get paid again, had too many things to take care of this month... Get paid the 1st of every month, so on the first I'll be buying a pair of Innovative LC-1's.

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