MyE28.com

Ok guys, I need some help here. I have a pretty nice 86 535i with the BMP conversion and the nice 18" Alpinas on the back. The 745i suffered a pretty hard hit in the rear end, and I estimate it would cost atleast 5-6 grand to fix her back to normal, including a rear quarter clip from a 735. The 745i has about 100,000 miles, of which I have all but about 20,000 miles fully documented! The previous owner even left a "Concours" plate from a 1999 event. It's a sad story, that was a nice car. But Anyway, I don't have a clue and the only man I know who could help is all the way out in Colorado Springs. My car is in VA, and I don't think I can afford to send it way off. I would like to do the TCD kit, but I already have a nice setup staring at me, while my parents frown on it because it's in their driveway!

Any suggestions?

The 745i (Darn European Bumpers-This is the second wasted 745i I have run across):


The 535i:



[Edit by hoverspeed on [TIME]1118187608[/TIME]]

Er... NO BRAINER! Turbo engine into 535i. Really nice e23 745i's are having a tough time getting $5,000.

The other alternative -- wait until I pull the running gear out of my 745i, which has front damage but a good rear, and you can graft the rear clip from mine on to yours and have a nice 745i. That probably still won't sell for what you have in it.

If you want my honest opinion, and this is from someone that has done it over more than once,
Go with a new Turbo kit (TCD, whoever) and do it right the first time. VW Guru Gene Berg said it best:

"Buy the best and cry once."

I have gone from 745i Mechanicals/Motronic assembly into e28, e28 Motronic/745i mechanicals into e28,
and now I am thinking about trashing the whole assembly and going with a rebuilt 3.5l and the TCD kit
with the addition of Megasquirt.

Kludging your way through a build and doing it the cheapest way might be inexpensive at first but in the long
run it will cause reliability issues and added expenses.

[QUOTE="RDAvena"]If you want my honest opinion, and this is from someone that has done it over more than once,
Go with a new Turbo kit (TCD, whoever) and do it right the first time. VW Guru Gene Berg said it best:

"Buy the best and cry once."

I have gone from 745i Mechanicals/Motronic assembly into e28, e28 Motronic/745i mechanicals into e28,
and now I am thinking about trashing the whole assembly and going with a rebuilt 3.5l and the TCD kit
with the addition of Megasquirt.

Kludging your way through a build and doing it the cheapest way might be inexpensive at first but in the long
run it will cause reliability issues and added expenses. [/QUOTE]

So are you saying the 745i to 535i swap is not doable? What about just the turbo components from the 745i and transplant them into the 535?

[QUOTE="RDAvena"]If you want my honest opinion, and this is from someone that has done it over more than once...[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE="Vento9"]So are you saying the 745i to 535i swap is not doable?[/QUOTE]
Umm... no, he just said he'd done it over more than once. %) He has a "545i" now.

[QUOTE="Shawn D."]Umm... no, he just said he'd done it over more than once. %) He has a "545i" now. [/QUOTE]

ummm... ok, he didnt' exactly say he got it running either.

What is the problem with doing it and why is everyone so hesitent about it?


[Edit by Vento9 on [TIME]1119412320[/TIME]]

[QUOTE="Shawn D."]Umm... no, he just said he'd done it over more than once. %) He has a "545i" now. [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE="Vento9"]ummm... ok, he didnt' exactly say he got it running either. [/QUOTE]
Don't be so obtuse. Consider "it worked" to be the default when someone here tells you they did something; otherwise, the'll say "I tried X and it didn't work."

[QUOTE="Vento9"]What is the problem with doing it and why is everyone so hesitent about it?[/QUOTE]
Besides what folks have already told you in the other thread (http://www.mye28.com/cgi-bin/forum/foru ... hread=4489; the age/condition/availability of multiple parts, the motor mount, etc.), here are a few hints which can be fleshed-out if you will just bother to look up old threads: brake lines, strut tower, and intercooler.


[Edit by Shawn D. on [TIME]1119442870[/TIME]]

[QUOTE="Shawn D."]Don't be so obtuse. Consider "it worked" to be the default when someone here tells you they did something; otherwise, the'll say "I tried X and it didn't work."

Besides what folks have already told you in the other thread (http://www.mye28.com/cgi-bin/forum/foru ... hread=4489; the age/condition/availability of multiple parts, the motor mount, etc.), here are a few hints which can be fleshed-out if you will just bother to look up old threads: brake lines, strut tower, and intercooler.

[Edit by Shawn D. on [TIME]1119442870[/TIME]][/QUOTE]

Always quick to insult. I've yet to have someone say that they've done it and be successful. Oh course the age and availablity of parts will be an issue but it's already been addressed that they can be found. Also I have been looking up older threads, so your post contributed moot to this thread. Instead of spouting out what everyone else is saying can I get someone that has actually accomplished this.

[QUOTE="Vento9"]Always quick to insult.[/QUOTE]
I'm frequently sarcastic, but hardly "always quick to insult."

[QUOTE="Vento9"]I've yet to have someone say that they've done it and be successful. [/QUOTE]
Well, then you haven't delved far enough into the threads.

[QUOTE="Vento9"]Also I have been looking up older threads, so your post contributed moot to this thread. [/QUOTE]
I believe the word you were looking for was "naught," not "moot."

[QUOTE="Vento9"]Instead of spouting out what everyone else is saying can I get someone that has actually accomplished this. [/QUOTE]
Can you show me where someone else has mentioned the strut, brake line, and intercooler issues since you've started your queries? No, you can't. Thus, I was not "spouting out what everyone else is saying." Again, look through the older threads. I don't know this information from doing it myself, I know it from reading posts on these very boards -- imagine that! You, too, can experience the miracle of learning if you put some effort into it!



[Edit by Shawn D. on [TIME]1119458358[/TIME]]

[QUOTE="Shawn D."]Umm... no, he just said he'd done it over more than once. %) He has a "545i" now. [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE="Vento9"]ummm... ok, he didnt' exactly say he got it running either.

What is the problem with doing it and why is everyone so hesitent about it?

[Edit by Vento9 on [TIME]1119412320[/TIME]][/QUOTE]

It was done and it was successful until the turbo blew on my way to 5er Fest. If that helps to clarify any missing details for you or give you an exact answer if the car ever ran.

The 545i was born 12Mar2004 and has not stopped running until this blown turbo incident. The fault was the 1986 K27 turbo because the M106 engine is still reading 150psi on all cylinders. Guess that is what happens when you use a 20year old turbo. This should shed some more light on the old parts theory for you.

Oil was not an issue since I do have the oil cooler installed and I am using Amsoil 20W50 synthetic. Oil pressure was not an issue either. What I did change was the motronic from the 745i one to the e28 059 box during the course of its life and it ran very strong for all of the 12 psi I could get out of it on both systems.

Collect all of the old parts you like, sure they can be found. Hell, I will even sell you my complete engine if you want. No one is hesitant about it. It did not stop me from doing it. But the final word this will all lead up to is reliability

Ray, didn't you find someone who could rebuild the K27's for about $400? I realize that will double my investment in the engine swap, but you know, insurance and all...

-Alright Shawn I'm done with that, going nowhere quick.

[QUOTE="RDAvena"]It was done and it was successful until the turbo blew on my way to 5er Fest. If that helps to clarify any missing details for you or give you an exact answer if the car ever ran.

The 545i was born 12Mar2004 and has not stopped running until this blown turbo incident. The fault was the 1986 K27 turbo because the M106 engine is still reading 150psi on all cylinders. Guess that is what happens when you use a 20year old turbo. This should shed some more light on the old parts theory for you.

Oil was not an issue since I do have the oil cooler installed and I am using Amsoil 20W50 synthetic. Oil pressure was not an issue either. What I did change was the motronic from the 745i one to the e28 059 box during the course of its life and it ran very strong for all of the 12 psi I could get out of it on both systems.

Collect all of the old parts you like, sure they can be found. Hell, I will even sell you my complete engine if you want. No one is hesitant about it. It did not stop me from doing it. But the final word this will all lead up to is reliability[/QUOTE]

If the turbo was rebuilt how was it not reliable? Or was it not rebuilt, then I could see the issue.

-You guys gotta understand, I'm trying to learn as much as possible. Ever hear the saying, "A dumb question is a question not asked?"

RDAvena, did you use the oil filter housing from the 745i or did you tap into the one you had? What did you use for fuel management? Any clearance issues with the turbo/wastegate? I've heard it gets in the way with the ABS. Also the motor mount needed for the passanger side, can this be fabbed or better off just buying one? I really appreciate any info I can get.