m54 obd1 swap

[channing93]

Did you read my post about the fuel rail DF?

[drivinfaster]

It's all good DF I'll use the m52 fuel rail any ways to have a way to test fuel pressure since it has a shrader valve like the m54 while still retaining a return.

Okay so this picture is the m50 fuel rail with the m54 injectors. The problem...the actual bolt down to hold the fuel rail to the intakes are different I should be able to weld a bracket in a trapezoid shape to bold I the bracket to the intake mani and then mount the m50 fuel rail to the bracket



Attachment 530682

Index finger: M54 intake mount for fuel rail

Middle finger: m50 fuel rail mount about 2in higher than the m54 intake manifold fuel rail mounts

Ring finger: M54 intake mount for fuel rail

this one??

uh,....would you believe me if I said no??



df

[channing93]

Well no...but any input? Lol

[drivinfaster]

i'd probably run the m54 fuel rail & injectors and use the m54 style fuel filter with the built in regulator. it's got the Schrader right there so you can monitor the fuel pressure for proper spec. otherwise I would just make metal mounting tabs and bolt them together to fit and not weld the fuel rail. but that's me. I like to weld, wish I did more of it so I could get better, but the rail is sorta just there, and not really under any sort of stress that would necessitate a more sturdy fitment. nut/bolt the tabs to the rail and mounting boss on the intake and that should be fine.

still, it's more work than just swapping out the filter with the regulator in it. I know not what the cost factor is on this part, though, and if it is plug-n-play to the fuel lines.




df

[channing93]

From what I'm seeing it would be more difficult to run the m54 fuel filter and more expensive because there flat out is no return and I'd have to mess with the fuel pump and use a new e46 one and idk if it will even fit my tank.

[drivinfaster]

i'm not so sure now about my previous comments, and edited them accordingly, so look at it this way.

the fuel pump in the tank now is capable of producing 65psi when deadheaded. we only need about 44 (or so, forget the spec right off the top of my head...) the m54 should be about the same, so the capacity of the pump *should* be sufficient. based on previous comments from frank, others have swapped in an m54 and used the non-m54 fuel pump with the returnless rail and been ok. I figure they were using the regulated fuel filter with their swap.

if this is true (it sounds plausible, so I would probably do this myself if I were to run the m54 mani), then plug the return line on the chassis and fit the m54 fuel filter to run the m54 rail.

double check, though. perhaps message hakkentt to see what he did. I really do think it would work, though.




df

[hakentt]

I did this on 1996 328i, so it already had filter and the regulator located under the car, so all I did is used fuel rail from 2000 323i E46 on M54, fits like a glove. For 92-95 E36 you can always use E46 M3 fuel regulator housing and install 3.5bar, then use it just before the filter.

[channing93]

What would I do with the return line then?

[channing93]

What's a 3.5 bar? Sorry not to familiar with thus fuel stuff

[channing93]

Oh nvm I figured it out I'm not quite sure how I would make all this work with my fuel lines? Also as far as my dme I have a 93 325i 413 red label dme would I still need to have ews deleted? Or will I be fine since I'm converting the motor to obd1?

[drivinfaster]

i'd plug the return line as it will not be needed, and the 413 dme does not use ews afaik, which is why a lot of guys like it.




df

[channing93]

Nice, so I'm good there. Finally got my zionsville mechanical tstat adapter so the motor runs better but my wallet won't lol

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[channing93]

As far as plugging the return the return has suction right? It won't do anything bad to the fp or anything ?

[drivinfaster]

no, there is no suction on the return line. it is just a route for fuel that bypasses the fpr to get back to the tank. no harm in plugging it, but if you do not, then you could leak fuel vapors.

and why an adapter??



df

[channing93]

I think I'll try the m52 rail first then the m54 since I have both of them anyhow. Because I'm keeping my system obd1 I'll have no way to open the electronically assisted thermostat the m54 uses and the tstat itself is actually built into the neck, so with the adapter plate that cost 199$ btw from zionsville I can now run my motor at a nicer 90°c than the 110°c it would be running with the tstat not hooked up

[channing93]

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Should I run a set of s50 headers?

[channing93]

Well shitty day, got home to a m52 vc but it's from an earlier year than described so it won't fit :/

[channing93]

Okay guys so she's in and bolted up main problem I'm having right now is the throttle body I bought the adapter plate from turner and my issue is clearence. The mechanical throttle body from the m50 touches the iacv and prohibits the throttle body from lining up with their bolt holes... anyone have experience with getting around this? I may get some pvc and move the throttle body about an inch or so back away from the intake manifold and use some hose and clamps to prevent leaks. Is it possible to run the motor with the iacv plugged on the intake? Any help would be much appreciated.

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[channing93]

Also the early model e46 valve cover does indeed fir the m54 motor and will allow you to keep your factory harness intact and let you use coils that plug right up to you harness!

[channing93]

any juan?

[drivinfaster]

reroute the iacv to clear?? just use fuel/oil resistant hose, or possibly one of the myriad of oe hoses that bmw already has used to reroute the iacv. seems much simpler than trying to rethink the throttle....





df

[channing93]

Okay DF I was just trying to get ideas before my next day off, thanks man

[nhiop]

That sounds like way more work then its worth. What are you going to do about the crank position sensor? Does an m50 timing cover even fit the m54?

[Frankus12]

Ide guess that you will be fine using the m52 rail, but You can use complete m54 fuel rail and filter/regulator. Df is right, you don't need to touch the stock fuel pump. On e36 u have pressure line and return line, in the shape of a complete round circuit. M54 has pressure and return but only pressure runs to rail. The excess of the pressure line is bled off right at the regulator instead of making a complete round, it's like taking an exit. Simply shorten the stock return line under the e36 and connect it to the return on the new m54 filter/reg. if u look up pics of that filter you will see 3 connections. There is no setup in which you will be able to just plug the return line, it's used in both setups.

[channing93]

Pretty much all set to go I used a crank sensor from an m44 and as far as the fuel goes I believe I will be using the stock m54 setup