Just got an m50 motor to swap into my 93 318is. The motor is missing a few pieces and needs cleaned off and cleaned out. This will be my slow but steady build thread to document it all.
Ok so first off, here are some pictures of the motor
wiring harness
After some cleaning
Then this is the car its going in
Still needs an oil filter housing and an alternator but after that i hope to get it running
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Alright here are pics from the intake ports on the motor
Alright, now does this look doable to clean out myself or should i take it to a machine shop?
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Alright so moving on. I have a parts list of what all i need to finish this swap. Lmk if i might be missing something or if anyone has some of these parts up for sale.
Radiator hoses
Overflow tank
Headers/ full exhaust
A bigger radiator mounting bracket (might just end up cutting it to fit)
Sway bar
Motor mounts
Transmission mounts
Auxiliary fan or a clutch fan if i can find one
Throttle cable (if im getting picky)
And maybe a MAF. I didnt see one but I want to make sure he didnt leave it hooked to the wiring harness or something.
FYI, i have already gotten a radiator and driveshaft that work with the new motor and transmission.
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Here is a few more pics because who likes a boring build thread
Cleaned some more on the motor today. Would have taken some pictures but my phone was almost dead. Bought a shop vac and started cleaning the intake ports. Looks better but still definitely needs some work
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Cleaned some more and took some pictures today
Had a little helper today
Here are some pictures if the intake now (they are kinda bad cause my camera wouldn't focus)
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More and more cleaning. Also painted the valve cover
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So today i pulled the starter, driverside motor mount, and the dip stick. After that i sanded some on the block. It now looks like this.
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Just finished sanding the block today and painted it. I only got one picture before i had to leave for work. Ill try to get a few more tomorrow if i have time.
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I have no idea if this even interests anyone anymore but here are some more pics because why not.
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Ok, good to know these pictures arnt just taking up space. Had some time today to get a little more work done. I put everything back on the block and put the starter back on.
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So I got some extra time this week and started working on the car. Took about two hours to get the front end off.
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What driveshaft did you get? If you're planning to use a 6 cylinder driveshaft with the 4cyl diff, the driveshaft will be too short. You can try and get the right driveshaft or use an adapter. I happen to have an adapter that I'd sell you (yes, this is a self serving-ish post) if this is the road you choose.
And you seem to have done a great job cleaning that beast up. Hope the valves in that cylinder with the rust in the ports still seal up OK. It'll probably be a bit rough at 1st, but might clean itself up.
How much would you want for the adapter? I thought that if i had the 6 cylinder transmission that everything would line up with a 6 cylinder driveshaft to the 4 cylinder diff
The driveshaft is from a 95 325i i think? Im not sure it has kinda just been hanging out in the garage for the past few months
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Last edited by Bimmerlife93; 09-22-2016 at 11:33 PM.
The 6cyl M50 (92-95, non-M) trans and the 4cyl trans are the exact same trans and mount in the exact same place. The 6cyl diff comes forward "about" 2" (It's about 2" longer) more than the 4 cyl diff. I got the adapter about 2 years ago from ebay for $125. You can have it for $50 shipped if you're interested.
Jacques
Haven't had much extra time this week with work so I haven't gotten much done.
Cleaned up some
Also cleaned the steering rack
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Pulled the exhaust off tonight and attemped to pull the driveshaft but ended up needed more tools
The driveshaft adapter also arrived today. Thanks again
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Last night I got off the driveshaft, the motor mount and transmission mount nuts, and most of the ac compressor bolts. I was trying to get it out but that will hopefully happen next week
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So I have been super busy with work and havent had much time to work on the car. I took an hour today and pulled the ac off the motor and the power steering off the motor. Then I finished getting the wiring harness unhooked from the car. I have some friends coming by later tonight and hopefully we will be able to pull it completely out
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Six guys and a 2x6 later and we get the motor out. Definitely a ton of work and finagling but eventually it came out. Pretty stoked since this is the first time ive ever pulled a motor out of a car. Will definitely borrow a lift to get the new one in.
My phone was too dead to take pictures but here is a couple my friend got
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Can't say I've never done the manual lift out. It always sucks haha. Any plans on tucking the wires any?
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Ive been planning on pulling all the ac lines and then just cleaning up the engine bay in general. What do you mean by tucking wires? Probably wont get much more done for a week or two. The girlfriend is picking up a 4 door e36 tomorrow and I will have to spend some time making it look "acceptable"
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Went and took a couple more pictures. Does anyone want to buy a m42 for cheap?
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When I say tucking the wires, I mean making them longer and hiding them so when you look in the bay, you see less wires and more engine. A lot of guys run their wires inside the fender to hide them. It looks clean as hell but can be a pain in the ass while doing it.
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