Greetings,
As the title implies, I'm searching for details regarding swapping an M60/M62 into the e28 chassis. It seem that this has been quite common and achievable in the E30 platform. However google searches regarding the e28 has not turned up much at all. I have even reached out to a company that sells the mounts to complete this build, only to find out that they went another direction with their in house M60 swap.
I know there's a popular e28 "540i" build that was featured on Stanceworks and another publication. It was built by @jeremywhittle, but his IG does not seem very active.
So far the only information/clues I've been able to gather/guess:
Mounts Required
Wiring or adapter harness obviously
Custom length driveshaft
Custom headers required
Booster relocation required
Subframe may or may not need modification
Steering rack may or may not need modification (Watched an old Easter European video where they used a E46 rack?)
I currently have a clean M30B35 that I was planning to do a standalone ecu and ITB build with. I'd pretty much scrap the na ITB plans if I can get some intel for the drawing board here on the M60 Swap.
I did find a few threads here, with this one being somewhat useful: https://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=5 ... 6&start=25
However many of the technical question went unanswered unfortunately.
M60/62 Swap Technical Info
Re: M60/62 Swap Technical Info
I did an M50 swap, similar issues to deal with although not as bad.
You'll need engine arms. If you reached out to e28 goodies, they take forever to ship anything anyway. You're probably looking at custom pieces, and if you go that route you may as well use the e30 rubber mounts.
Wiring should be nearly the same as an m50 swap, I made my own adapter harness - not super difficult but there were some errors in the ETMs I had to figure out. If you're not electrically inclined talk to condor speed shop and they can make you one (I haven't seen one of their adapters in person but they seem to know what they're doing).
Driveshaft depends on gearbox length and placement. If you're using a 6 speed you may luck out and be able to use an e28 auto driveshaft without modification. I'm using my stock driveshaft with a size adapter from CATuned, definitely a good part if you need one.
Headers I'm still working out on my car, I welded some nonsense together but it's not great. I don't have much advice.
Booster relocation, subframe, steering: The M60 E34s came with a steering box, so you should be able to keep the stock unit without any problems, you don't want to rack swap bc it'll completely throw off your bump steer. I'd expect the stock subframe is fine if you have the E34 oil pan. The E34s also had remote brake boosters behind the driver's headlight and a linkage system, I'd try to get one of those setups.
You'll need engine arms. If you reached out to e28 goodies, they take forever to ship anything anyway. You're probably looking at custom pieces, and if you go that route you may as well use the e30 rubber mounts.
Wiring should be nearly the same as an m50 swap, I made my own adapter harness - not super difficult but there were some errors in the ETMs I had to figure out. If you're not electrically inclined talk to condor speed shop and they can make you one (I haven't seen one of their adapters in person but they seem to know what they're doing).
Driveshaft depends on gearbox length and placement. If you're using a 6 speed you may luck out and be able to use an e28 auto driveshaft without modification. I'm using my stock driveshaft with a size adapter from CATuned, definitely a good part if you need one.
Headers I'm still working out on my car, I welded some nonsense together but it's not great. I don't have much advice.
Booster relocation, subframe, steering: The M60 E34s came with a steering box, so you should be able to keep the stock unit without any problems, you don't want to rack swap bc it'll completely throw off your bump steer. I'd expect the stock subframe is fine if you have the E34 oil pan. The E34s also had remote brake boosters behind the driver's headlight and a linkage system, I'd try to get one of those setups.
Re: M60/62 Swap Technical Info
This is good info, and helps validate a bit of the guess work I was making.
As of now, I'm thinking the most difficult part of the swap will be running the new relocated booster.
Just organizing my thoughts here
1. My e28 has the Hydro Booster config, so seems like it would be best to just convert to the e34 booster set up if I can source that system. This may require patching the firewall also (where the original config was mounted)
2. From there I need to verify if I can use the e28s ABS pump and run the custom hard line (or just delete it since it may not even work).
3. On top of all this I will be throwing a master clutch cylinder install into the mix, as the car will be converted from auto to manual.
4. A custom tranny support will be needed obviously.
On a more positive note, the manual trans options literally triple due to the adapter plate availability for the M60 thanks to PMC Motorsports.
With this all under consideration I think the M60 swap would be worth the undertaking. ITBs for my original planned build were going to be $2k+, not including the standalone ecu or tuning.
I still have a feeling that there are some major factors missing here. Feel free to add your thoughts/theories anyone
@Galahad, I have your fuse box upgrade btw! First thing I bought for this build actually.
From what I've been able to find, the e34/e38 oil pans are the same, maybe I'm over looking something here?
Also if you're building your own headers, check out a video by "gastancehouse" on YT called "Exhaust Header Build in 5 Minutes" - he uses a 3d scanning phone app and the free Fusion 360 software to make his own.
As of now, I'm thinking the most difficult part of the swap will be running the new relocated booster.
Just organizing my thoughts here
1. My e28 has the Hydro Booster config, so seems like it would be best to just convert to the e34 booster set up if I can source that system. This may require patching the firewall also (where the original config was mounted)
2. From there I need to verify if I can use the e28s ABS pump and run the custom hard line (or just delete it since it may not even work).
3. On top of all this I will be throwing a master clutch cylinder install into the mix, as the car will be converted from auto to manual.
4. A custom tranny support will be needed obviously.
On a more positive note, the manual trans options literally triple due to the adapter plate availability for the M60 thanks to PMC Motorsports.
With this all under consideration I think the M60 swap would be worth the undertaking. ITBs for my original planned build were going to be $2k+, not including the standalone ecu or tuning.
I still have a feeling that there are some major factors missing here. Feel free to add your thoughts/theories anyone
@Galahad, I have your fuse box upgrade btw! First thing I bought for this build actually.
From what I've been able to find, the e34/e38 oil pans are the same, maybe I'm over looking something here?
Also if you're building your own headers, check out a video by "gastancehouse" on YT called "Exhaust Header Build in 5 Minutes" - he uses a 3d scanning phone app and the free Fusion 360 software to make his own.
Re: M60/62 Swap Technical Info
1: You may be able to use a Bosch iBooster setup if you want to avoid dealing with vacuum lines. I've been looking into it for my car but don't have a huge reason to switch yet.
2: The ABS system is completely separate from the engine harness, can't think of a reason it wouldn't work once you've plumbed it in. Custom hardline is pretty easy, just buy whatever length you need and a bender from autozone.
3: there's already a hole in the firewall for the clutch master, you just need to pull a plug out. You will need the manual pedal box tho.
4: I'm using an arms + trans support kit, forgot about the latter part. I'd stick with a BMW transmission so you don't need to think so hard about output flanges or clutch disks.
Always happy to hear people are upgrading their fuse boxes!
I don't know anything about e38 oil pans, that's why I didn't mention them. For x5x swaps everyone uses the e34 oil pan since it's front sump so I know those would work for the x6x - if they're the same it'll just be easier to get the right part.
Strictly speaking I'm working on the downpipes, I bought knockoff ebay equal length shorty headers. I did the initial work about a year ago, and have since bought a reasonably nice 3d scanner and taught myself how to use fusion so I suspect the next go at it will be much better.
2: The ABS system is completely separate from the engine harness, can't think of a reason it wouldn't work once you've plumbed it in. Custom hardline is pretty easy, just buy whatever length you need and a bender from autozone.
3: there's already a hole in the firewall for the clutch master, you just need to pull a plug out. You will need the manual pedal box tho.
4: I'm using an arms + trans support kit, forgot about the latter part. I'd stick with a BMW transmission so you don't need to think so hard about output flanges or clutch disks.
Always happy to hear people are upgrading their fuse boxes!
I don't know anything about e38 oil pans, that's why I didn't mention them. For x5x swaps everyone uses the e34 oil pan since it's front sump so I know those would work for the x6x - if they're the same it'll just be easier to get the right part.
Strictly speaking I'm working on the downpipes, I bought knockoff ebay equal length shorty headers. I did the initial work about a year ago, and have since bought a reasonably nice 3d scanner and taught myself how to use fusion so I suspect the next go at it will be much better.
Re: M60/62 Swap Technical Info
Correction, I could not find/see a difference between the e34/e32* oil pans is what I meant.Galahad wrote: May 08, 2024 11:34 PM 3: there's already a hole in the firewall for the clutch master, you just need to pull a plug out. You will need the manual pedal box tho.
4: I'm using an arms + trans support kit, forgot about the latter part. I'd stick with a BMW transmission so you don't need to think so hard about output flanges or clutch disks.
I don't know anything about e38 oil pans, that's why I didn't mention them. For x5x swaps everyone uses the e34 oil pan since it's front sump so I know those would work for the x6x - if they're the same it'll just be easier to get the right part.
For the firewall; I was referring to patching the hole where the hydroboost system currently is since it will be completely discarded after retrofitting the e34 booster system. I already have a complete e28 manual pedal setup. But I will need to find out rather this will be compatible with the e34 brake booster linkage.
The lower part of page 1 in this thread shows what I'm referring to. (M60 E30 build threads have been the most informal)
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/show ... estoration
BMW trans is what I intend on using. I mentioned the full adapter kits since they allow you to utilize the M50/M52 gear boxes (both ZF and Getrag) with the M60/M62. I may go this route due to the availability. With that in mind, unless I'm missing a detail I should be able to run an m50 conversion support (like the type e28goodies make).