m50 swap

[Freese]

Hallo to all of you!
My question is simple, but i don't have answer to him.
I'm going to put an m50b25 in my e21 323, but i don't know what supporting bracket and rubber mounts to use...
Someone who has already done this let me share...

Cheers

[nas80]

I used standard m20 323i mounts, n e21 rubbers.

if ur doing the swap on a lhd car u need other mounts.

[Jason_323i]

Lhd would be best on custom mounts rather than e21 mounts

Jason

[Adje]

I'm planning for the same swap allso in a 323i
I am still looking for a m50b25 or a 2.8.
I've heard you need enginesupports and brackets from e30.
Allso you need a sump (or complete engine) from a 5series e34. to clear the steering linkage.

I have some questions too:
what (length) drive shaft is needed? and will it fit the e21 diff?
what diff ratio will be the best? i heard the stock e21 will be too short?

have you thought about making the dashboard work? including rev counter?
and allso speedometer wich is driven by cable at an e21. !

this last one is pretty important for me becouse i want it to be streetlegal in the Netherlands.

regards, Ad

[rob0r]

I'm planning for the same swap allso in a 323i
I am still looking for a m50b25 or a 2.8.
I've heard you need enginesupports and brackets from e30.
Allso you need a sump (or complete engine) from a 5series e34. to clear the steering linkage.

I have some questions too:
what (length) drive shaft is needed? and will it fit the e21 diff?
what diff ratio will be the best? i heard the stock e21 will be too short?

have you thought about making the dashboard work? including rev counter?
and allso speedometer wich is driven by cable at an e21. !

this last one is pretty important for me becouse i want it to be streetlegal in the Netherlands.

regards, Ad

I really don't think E30 mounts will work, E21 mounts will work but it will rotate the engine towards the inlet side, good for RHD cars, bad for LHD cars. Custom is the only route for LHD.

If you use the standard M20 gearbox then you can keep the same propshaft, diff, speedo etc. The only difference is that if it's a LHD car you will have to mount the gearbox slightly rotated and bend the steering linkage.

[Adje]

maybe this will help: http://forums.eurocca.net/showthread.ph ... 50-Project
i love google
this guy has done it!

this good guy has used the e30 rubber engine supports. i have seen these kinds op supports in a lot of different shapes and sizes, so i think there will be taller ones, so the sump will come a little higher. i think there allways will be some cutting....
let's find them!

but, the big problem seems to be the sump...

[Jason_323i]

Nigel is on this form and the m50 is tall lift the engine you can't close the bonnet

Jason

[nas80]

you might wanna check out r3vunlimited forum the usa guys have.

I think they use m535 mount n e36 mounts, can't remember.

I modified my sump to fit the engine in.

[carstereoguy]

Hey, just noticed this thread, thought I'd give my 2 cents.
When I dropped an m50 in my e21 (Left hand drive), I used the 323 drivers side mount with a e36 rubber mount and some washers to gain height and tilt the intake manifold away from the brake booster. On the passenger side I used a mount off an e30 (I think, it was just in a parts pile, it's a steel mount rather than aluminum), to get that side of the engine lower than the 323 mount puts it. Ended up getting the engine at the same angle as it would be in an e36, and used a e36 transmission to match.