Just picked this up off ebay for £465, with a weeks MOT. As the sun's been out I thought I might as well MOT it and run it for a while to make sure the engine's good . Cost me £26 in rear brake parts to get it through

[IMG]http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww236/enicpic/E36_zps27924f29.jpg [IMG]

Gave it an oil change today before giving it the beans, and WOOOHOOO!! It's a flying machine!! Got an M50 inlet manifold to fit which should add about 30bhp. OMG it'll be mental in a Haynes!!
The engines been to the moon and back (several times) at 220k+ but has loads of service history , you can't hear it running, and it passed MOT emissions with totally shagged plugs a blocked air filter and oil like tar. So with a bit of TLC I think it'll make a decent donor. It's the first time I've driven one of these and it's a cracking smooth engine that pulls from nothing and just gets stronger and stronger as the revs rise


[Edited on 1/8/14 by Nickp]

HOW MUCH
looks far too good to break,why not sell it and buy a V8 with the procedes

I can vouch for the fact that its a great engine to put in a 7.

I've been out in mine a couple of times in recent days and even though I've not been brave enough to push it hard yet, its very very quick, even from a standing start in second gear, rather than first. I need to do the M50 manifold modification and I also have an ECU with a faster map to swap to, but I thought that I would get used to only (!) 193BHP before adding to it.

I'm not a million miles from you (I'm just of J26), so if you need to have a look at one in a car and your passing by, just give me a shout.

Ooh, this thread could be interesting as I've just bought a 2000 E46 328i coupe with 100k on it for £800.
Not to break, but as a road legal track toy.

I'm curious as to this M50 manifold conversion, what's it off and what else is needed ? And where does
the faster map ECU come from.

ps: sorry to hijack the thread

quote:

---

Originally posted by NigeEss
Ooh, this thread could be interesting as I've just bought a 2000 E46 328i coupe with 100k on it for £800.
Not to break, but as a road legal track toy.

I'm curious as to this M50 manifold conversion, what's it off and what else is needed ? And where does
the faster map ECU come from.

ps: sorry to hijack the thread

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by theconrodkid
HOW MUCH
looks far too good to break,why not sell it and buy a V8 with the procedes

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by SteveWallace

I'm not a million miles from you (I'm just of J26), so if you need to have a look at one in a car and your passing by, just give me a shout.

---

Awesome news mate, I'm slightly envious

quote:

---

Originally posted by NigeEss
Ooh, this thread could be interesting as I've just bought a 2000 E46 328i coupe with 100k on it for £800.
Not to break, but as a road legal track toy.

I'm curious as to this M50 manifold conversion, what's it off and what else is needed ? And where does
the faster map ECU come from.

ps: sorry to hijack the thread

---

That's right, the main things that you might need to change on the ECU to use it in a 7 are

I) A software ABS delete. Unless you are also using the BMW running gear and ABS sensors then the ECU will go into limp home mode after a few miles when it doesn't see an ABS speed signal. This is hard to fake as its a digital signal rather than an analogue one that you could have picked up via, say, an after market speed sensor.

ii) Software EWS delete. I ended up using the EWSII immobiliser system from the donor, as much for the challenge of seeing if I could get it to work as for security, but if you don't us it then then the ECU will not work unless the requirement for it to look for the code has been deleted

iii) A performance map. I have a second ECU with a more performance based map. Not sure how much difference it really makes as I've not tried it yet.

There is a guy in Birmingham that can reprogram BMW ECU's and another operating out of Scotland who sells on e-Bay.

quote:

---

Originally posted by SteveWallace
That's right, the main things that you might need to change on the ECU to use it in a 7 are

I) A software ABS delete. Unless you are also using the BMW running gear and ABS sensors then the ECU will go into limp home mode after a few miles when it doesn't see an ABS speed signal. This is hard to fake as its a digital signal rather than an analogue one that you could have picked up via, say, an after market speed sensor.

ii) Software EWS delete. I ended up using the EWSII immobiliser system from the donor, as much for the challenge of seeing if I could get it to work as for security, but if you don't us it then then the ECU will not work unless the requirement for it to look for the code has been deleted

iii) A performance map. I have a second ECU with a more performance based map. Not sure how much difference it really makes as I've not tried it yet.

There is a guy in Birmingham that can reprogram BMW ECU's and another operating out of Scotland who sells on e-Bay.

---

ABS: not a problem. The ECU needs to see some kind of pulse train - I fed mine the signal from the speed sensor on the diff instead and that was fine. RPM signal would probably work too, or the output of a wheel speed sensor.

EWS: it's easy enough to make this work if you can find a wiring diagram. I've got the EWS II working on my car.

Performance: on the 328, you really do need to get the redline raised as the default is 6200. If you do the manifold swap then a remap is a good idea.

quote:

---

Originally posted by SteveWallace
That's right, the main things that you might need to change on the ECU to use it in a 7 are

I) A software ABS delete. Unless you are also using the BMW running gear and ABS sensors then the ECU will go into limp home mode after a few miles when it doesn't see an ABS speed signal. This is hard to fake as its a digital signal rather than an analogue one that you could have picked up via, say, an after market speed sensor.

ii) Software EWS delete. I ended up using the EWSII immobiliser system from the donor, as much for the challenge of seeing if I could get it to work as for security, but if you don't us it then then the ECU will not work unless the requirement for it to look for the code has been deleted

iii) A performance map. I have a second ECU with a more performance based map. Not sure how much difference it really makes as I've not tried it yet.

There is a guy in Birmingham that can reprogram BMW ECU's and another operating out of Scotland who sells on e-Bay.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brake buster
i am building a 318 based car, but am thinking of upgrading to a 6 cylinder

are the engine mounts compatible ?

i am using the BMW 5 speed gearbox , diff , and all running gear ,

i take it i will need the ECU mods mentioned ?

u got any pics ?

BB

[Edited on 2/8/14 by Brake buster]

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ABS: not a problem. The ECU needs to see some kind of pulse train - I fed mine the signal from the speed sensor on the diff instead and that was fine. RPM signal would probably work too, or the output of a wheel speed sensor.

________________________________________________________________________

Good point, I forgot that it depends on the age of the donor car. I cannot remember the year, but at some point, BMW changed their electrics to a CANBUS system which uses digital signals. As I understand it, before that date, any pulse train would work but after that date its harder to fake. It cost me £30 to get my ABS deleted and to get the rev limit raised, so it was easier for me to do that than mess around since I didn't use the BMW diff.

[Edited on 2/8/14 by SteveWallace]

I think I'm gonna go for this-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=151357806856&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_895wt_1275

And this-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-M50-Inlet-Manifold-Fitting-Kit-M52-Upgrade-Manifold-Kit-/111424368367?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item 19f168eeef

And fit them while the engine's still in the BMW, purely for testing purposes

In fact, anyone got a spare M52B28 ECU I can 'borrow' to send off for 'fettling'? I'll replace it with my existing one once sorted.

Yeah, I've got a couple actually. I'm not sure if I have the immobiliser and chip (will include these if I do) but if you are getting rid of that it's not a problem. Yours for say £15 posted?

quote:

---

Originally posted by rodgling
Yeah, I've got a couple actually. I'm not sure if I have the immobiliser and chip (will include these if I do) but if you are getting rid of that it's not a problem. Yours for say £15 posted?

---

What sort of weight is in the Beemer 6-pots?

I can't imagine they're particularly light...

Quick Google suggests 170-180kg.

Can't find figures for the gearbox... can someone stick one on a set of scales if they get a mo?

To quote-

BMW took a large step in 1994 with the introduction of an aluminum block with the wear-resistant Nikasil coating on the cylinder bores. This reduced the engine's weight from around 190 kg (M50) to some 160 kg (M52). The camshafts were now fitted with counterbalancing masses, as was already the case on those of the eight-cylinder engine.

The gearbox is a stumpy little affair and doesn't seem very heavy to me. I can weigh it if you really want

Cheers Nick... found a reference - 35-39kg. Not too bad.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nickp
To quote-

BMW took a large step in 1994 with the introduction of an aluminum block with the wear-resistant Nikasil coating on the cylinder bores. This reduced the engine's weight from around 190 kg (M50) to some 160 kg (M52). The camshafts were now fitted with counterbalancing masses, as was already the case on those of the eight-cylinder engine.

---

Sounds about right to me. The engine is pretty heavy, especially the M3 lump. Gearbox is quite light. The diff is very heavy, it might be better to avoid using this if you can find a lighter diff that's strong enough.

quote:

---

Originally posted by scootz

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nickp
To quote-

BMW took a large step in 1994 with the introduction of an aluminum block with the wear-resistant Nikasil coating on the cylinder bores. This reduced the engine's weight from around 190 kg (M50) to some 160 kg (M52). The camshafts were now fitted with counterbalancing masses, as was already the case on those of the eight-cylinder engine.

---

I think that figure of 160kg relates to the 2.0... the indication in the tables on this page are that the 2.8 is 170/180kg...

Link

---

2.8 lump, M50 Inlet.

quote:

---

Originally posted by sg_frost



2.8 lump, M50 Inlet.

---

Oh yes!
Tunnel is 25mm wider on each side, mk2 escort World Cup engine mounts to reduce engine movement, about 10mm clearance at front edge. Very tight fit. Air con pulley has to be removed from crank as it wouldn't fit (not that it is needed), same for power steering pump. Crank pulley sits behind lower rail at front and bolt sits above the box section. Nearly gave up on it.
Hydraulic clutch so easy to plumb in.

Very nice. I thought that it was a fairly tight fit getting the same thing into a Viento! It will be worth getting the ECU remapped as well if you have the M50 manifold. I have the contact details for someone who can do it if you need them.

What did you do about the sump. Did you modify the chassis or cut the bulge off the side?

quote:

---

Originally posted by sg_frost
Oh yes!
Tunnel is 25mm wider on each side, mk2 escort World Cup engine mounts to reduce engine movement, about 10mm clearance at front edge. Very tight fit. Air con pulley has to be removed from crank as it wouldn't fit (not that it is needed), same for power steering pump. Crank pulley sits behind lower rail at front and bolt sits above the box section. Nearly gave up on it.
Hydraulic clutch so easy to plumb in.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by SteveWallace
Very nice. I thought that it was a fairly tight fit getting the same thing into a Viento! It will be worth getting the ECU remapped as well if you have the M50 manifold. I have the contact details for someone who can do it if you need them.

---

Interested in this as I'm currently in the latter stages of putting this same engine and configuration in a 1986 E30, and will be looking for a track 7 derivative at the end of next year to replace my MX5 Turbo track car.

That looks like a very sweet install.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nickp
Glad to see it fits under a std bonnet, that was one of my worries.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rodgling

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nickp
Glad to see it fits under a std bonnet, that was one of my worries.

---

Have to say, I'm surprised it did fit as it's a tall engine (even worse on the M3 due to the throttle linkage).

What sort of ground clearance did you end up with?

One useful upgrade would be the sump and oil pickup from an M3 evo as this is better baffled with twin pick ups, so less likely to suffer from oil starvation on track.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by J90rdn
Interested in this as I'm currently in the latter stages of putting this same engine and configuration in a 1986 E30, and will be looking for a track 7 derivative at the end of next year to replace my MX5 Turbo track car.

---

I'm a lecturer at a college in Rhyl, North Wales and the car is kept there. Anyone is welcome to come and see it.
I have had to make my own sump from scratch, it was too wide and too deep so we made a steel one and shortened pick-up pipe.
Engine is as far back as I could get it, that's why I modified the tunnel. Makes it tight for the pedals but with a OBP pedal box and smaller throttle pedal it all fits.
I've only put the engine in "because I can" and the whole project has been built with the same attitude. That's why it runs on 17s and has no windscreen. I won't upset you all with the price I paid for it.

quote:

---

Originally posted by sg_frost
I'm a lecturer at a college in Rhyl, North Wales and the car is kept there. Anyone is welcome to come and see it.
I have had to make my own sump from scratch, it was too wide and too deep so we made a steel one and shortened pick-up pipe.
Engine is as far back as I could get it, that's why I modified the tunnel. Makes it tight for the pedals but with a OBP pedal box and smaller throttle pedal it all fits.
I've only put the engine in "because I can" and the whole project has been built with the same attitude. That's why it runs on 17s and has no windscreen. I won't upset you all with the price I paid for it.

---

Engine was free!!
Orginally bought a 320 engine, box loom and DME for £30 to see if ti would fit, once it was fitted I knew I needed to get it out for the 2.8. Was donated a 728 so I could get the engine out.

I will get photos of the sump and clearance of the nose cone later.

quote:

---

Originally posted by sg_frost
Engine was free!!
Orginally bought a 320 engine, box loom and DME for £30 to see if ti would fit, once it was fitted I knew I needed to get it out for the 2.8. Was donated a 728 so I could get the engine out.

I will get photos of the sump and clearance of the nose cone later.

---

Nose cone cut to sit over Vanos unit. Bonnet lip cut to match.




Sump is 100mm clear of floor at current ride height, thats enough I hope.


Sump is baffled half way to hopefully prevent surge under braking and acceleration

Manifold took some work to fabricate and steerign column now passes through it. Bit of a pain if the manifold needs to come off as the rack and column have to come off first. Gas flow is not fantastic due to some sharp internal edges and bends, but with 200bhp on tap the small drop in performance wont be that noticable I would have thought.



Next job is to fabricate stainless exhaust with CAT.

Got the M50 manifold on now. Not a job I'll be in a hurry to do again!! Absolute tw@t to get off!!
What looks like a 1-2hr job, easily ran into a full 1/2 day to complete.
Anyway, it's on now c/w its 'remapped' ECU and it goes like stink!! I reckon it's faster in a straight line than the 3.0 V6 MR2 I built, so easy to believe it's putting 230bhp out. If anything it's smoother to drive too, which is a bonus.
I'm still struggling to get my head around how mental this is going to be in a '7'!!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nickp
Got the M50 manifold on now. Not a job I'll be in a hurry to do again!! Absolute tw@t to get off!!
What looks like a 1-2hr job, easily ran into a full 1/2 day to complete.
Anyway, it's on now c/w its 'remapped' ECU and it goes like stink!! I reckon it's faster in a straight line than the 3.0 V6 MR2 I built, so easy to believe it's putting 230bhp out. If anything it's smoother to drive too, which is a bonus.
I'm still struggling to get my head around how mental this is going to be in a '7'!!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rodgling

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nickp
Got the M50 manifold on now. Not a job I'll be in a hurry to do again!! Absolute tw@t to get off!!
What looks like a 1-2hr job, easily ran into a full 1/2 day to complete.
Anyway, it's on now c/w its 'remapped' ECU and it goes like stink!! I reckon it's faster in a straight line than the 3.0 V6 MR2 I built, so easy to believe it's putting 230bhp out. If anything it's smoother to drive too, which is a bonus.
I'm still struggling to get my head around how mental this is going to be in a '7'!!

---

Haha, you should try the M3 manifold. That's considerably worse. You'll get much faster at it...

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Found out the hard way that the 2.0 M50 manifold doesnt fit. I threw the old 2.8 manifold out as I'm using the 2.0 wiring loom etc and it was easier to use the idle valve and breathers from the 2.0 set up. However, the port sizes in the head must be different as the 2.0 M50 manifold doesnt seal, I've bought a standard 2.8 manifold to replace it, gonna have to make my idle valve fit it somehow. doh!