m50 engine swap

[Jeroen]

You mean the center support bearing I guess. When replacing that bearing, if you mark the two halfs before taking them apart you can put them back together again in the same position without needing to have it re balanced. After work like welding or when you suffer from balance problems, it needs to be balanced, same work indeed. But the basis should be good so the person that will shorten it needs to know what he's doing indeed.

[mcjjordan]

I put the zf on. But I run mine at stock angle the zf 6 speed will bolt in but it's longer so you still need a custom prop. The 5 speed zf has the same ratios as the e21 dogleg. Dunno about the 6speed. Probably the same but with an overdrive for 6th. Google will tell you.


Your only real problem is the lack of a Speedo drive. There are expensive ways of getting round that too.

Zf? Is that from e30.... Did you use e30 flywheel and starter also?
Do they share same linkage and can you fit e21 gearnob ?

What angle is best?
Is it best to keep gearbox as oem or to rotate box?
I have m20 mounts > which will this give me?

[mcjjordan]

what about a fuel filter?
do you just rely on the filter in with fuel pump or just an inline filter in engine bay?
i see original 323 had a big metal cylindrical filter .
i assume it had to be metal due to pressure?

Which is most popular ?
In tank pump or external , do you require swirl pot
Will i tank produce enough pressure or would it just be used as a lift pump?
Where to mount? Under floor or in boot?

[nas80]

oh my god... so many questions!

[Jeroen]

Yup but if you stick to the stock setup of fuel injected European E21's (318i-323i) you should be fine so I'd opt for the external pump in a known setup (details in any parts or repair manual).

[nas80]

323 pump is fine. Worked ok on my m50 but was old and noisy as hell cos it's external

318is e30 intank pump is what I use. I have a serviceable Inline filter inside the bay. No swirl pot required.

M20 box use m20 mounts to clear brake linkage. This is easiest. You still need to modify sump I can help with that.

Zf box I use is from e36 but you need to heavily modify (get rid of the complete) standard brake system because the engine won't go clear it. This isn't a job for feint hearted it's an absolute nobhead job to do.. Some modifications needed such as prop, mounting of selector, You still need to modify sump. Benefits are a stronger close ratio sports box, bags of room for a turbo, no crap bending and weak standard brake system.

E30 flywheel lightened a lot to clear back of engine and also improves engine revving characteristic. I use an uprated e30 paddle clutch.

[rob0r]

As a note the 318is won't indicate the correct fuel level as it did with the 323i pump, well mine didn't. The low fuel light came on properly though.

[mcjjordan]

323 pump is fine. Worked ok on my m50 but was old and noisy as hell cos it's external

318is e30 intank pump is what I use. I have a serviceable Inline filter inside the bay. No swirl pot required.

M20 box use m20 mounts to clear brake linkage. This is easiest. You still need to modify sump I can help with that.

Zf box I use is from e36 but you need to heavily modify (get rid of the complete) standard brake system because the engine won't go clear it. This isn't a job for feint hearted it's an absolute nobhead job to do.. Some modifications needed such as prop, mounting of selector, You still need to modify sump. Benefits are a stronger close ratio sports box, bags of room for a turbo, no crap bending and weak standard brake system.

E30 flywheel lightened a lot to clear back of engine and also improves engine revving characteristic. I use an uprated e30 paddle clutch.

E36 box ? Isnt 5th gear 1:1 as opposed to e30 has overdrive 5th , doesnt it rev its tits off on motorway as my 4 speed box now with 1:1 4th

[nas80]

Yes but it does rev to 7200 and I have an e12. Diff 3.06 ratio

I can fit a 6 speed box in if I want