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Thread: 740il to 520i (another 1)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Cork, Ireland
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    Bmw E34

    740il to 520i (another 1)

    Hi guys,

    Hello from Ireland. I've been doing as suggested and making use of the search function. Even 99% of google searches land back to this forum, however much is incomplete or concentrated to individual parts of a build.
    I do remember coming across a “definitive E34 swap” thread but cannot find it in this forum. If someone knows the location of same I’d appreciate a link. If anyone has other links they want to drop or feel will answer my questions by reading it please let me see them.

    If someone has definitive detailed information to answer my queries I am happy to send some beer tokens your way. I know typing it all down free of charge is a task in itself.

    I have a complete 740il auto which runs and drives but isn’t fit for road nor do I want to drive it. I want to put the engine into my E34 520 manual. I’m in love with the e34 and want to waste my life + money upgrading it.

    I have a skilled mechanic and an auto electrician to look after the swap but I want to build a stock of required parts before we begin. I have people to make up props/drives and fabricate / modify required parts when needed.

    How much of the 740 bay transfers to the E34? What do I need to make the m60 fit in my car I.e Do I require new motor mount points/ modification of same? Use E34 subframe or E38 if it fits. I’ve read about using the 740 brake booster , is it just a case of changing the mount point/ bracket and plumbing it? Can I upgrade the brakes / suspension setup to that of the e38 to match the m60 output compared to my smaller 1998cc items?

    To keep the thread “simple” for the time being let’s leave the prop/drives/diff etc out of the equation.

    i appreciate any and all helpful responses.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Zionsville, IN
    Posts
    3,383
    My Cars
    93 740i, 84 533i
    Assuming the 740 is an E32, you should have everything you need to make the transfer. The manual wont fit, but if you have the complete drive line, you should be fine except for the drive shaft. You will need to source an E34M60 driveshaft, but they are around. Someone will need to detail for you which electronics need to go in, but you should be able to either get everything you need from the 740, or find off the shelf (or ebay or junk yard) E34M60 parts
    Black on Black 740i - 10/92 build date, 225,000 miles.
    Delphin on Cherry 533i - 4/84 build date, 136,000 miles
    Black on Black 328i - 3/96 build date, 185,000 miles - Sold
    2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Cork, Ireland
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    Bmw E34
    Quote Originally Posted by Avec View Post
    Assuming the 740 is an E32, you should have everything you need to make the transfer. The manual wont fit, but if you have the complete drive line, you should be fine except for the drive shaft. You will need to source an E34M60 driveshaft, but they are around. Someone will need to detail for you which electronics need to go in, but you should be able to either get everything you need from the 740, or find off the shelf (or ebay or junk yard) E34M60 parts
    Thanks for the reply Avec. To make everything more difficult my 740 is 1995 so e38. I’m not too worried about the electrics side of it. I have one of the best in the game looking after that so he will know what he’s at.
    Last edited by E34keith; 08-07-2018 at 02:34 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Zionsville, IN
    Posts
    3,383
    My Cars
    93 740i, 84 533i
    When did they change over from M60B40 to M60B44 in the E38. The difference would be ODB1 v ODBII. Are you going to convert everything to ODBII, and convert back down for the instrument cluster?
    Black on Black 740i - 10/92 build date, 225,000 miles.
    Delphin on Cherry 533i - 4/84 build date, 136,000 miles
    Black on Black 328i - 3/96 build date, 185,000 miles - Sold
    2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Cork, Ireland
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    Bmw E34
    Bagged myself an E39 M5 6speed box and flywheel so im back on the mission again. I understand the e38 '95 740il is mostly a 3.15 differential so should suit just fine if it is. That leaves me with a difference in the subframe to fit the Diff as my e34 ('92 m50b20) uses a smaller cases.


    A few questions for the more knowledgeable:


    Are there similarities in the e38 and e34 subframes? i.e can it be swapped over with minimal fabrication or best to source a large case rear frame?
    How interchangeable are the brakes and brake system between E38 and E34?
    Which are the best 1/2 shafts to use? i.e which model to source from


    Many thanks in advance
    Keith

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