E28 M5 S38B36 conversion

[kizaa]

I recently purchased a s38b36 out of a '91 m5 for my e28 m5. Let me get this straight. I use the exhaust manifold from my s38b35. My radiator, drive shaft, and trans are all ok, however . . .

Does the passenger side motor mount need the precision adapter from Koala?
Does the wiring harness need to be adapted?
Will the ECU have to be relocated?
Will the B36 headers work?

Anything else??

[cgraff]

I recently purchased a s38b36 out of a '91 m5 for my e28 m5. Let me get this straight. I use the exhaust manifold from my s38b35. My radiator, drive shaft, and trans are all ok, however . . .

Does the passenger side motor mount need the precision adapter from Koala?

Yes

Does the wiring harness need to be adapted?

Yes, to mate to the body harness

Will the ECU have to be relocated?

Probably not

Will the B36 headers work?

No

Anything else??

Yes lots. Cooling system routing. PS hoses and reservoir routing and relocation. Engine ancillary brackets. Alternator. etc.

[kizaa]

Thanks for the help. As a novice with bmw's I'm biting off a lot, but I'm committed and patient.

I rescued this "parts car" over a year ago. During that year I have been patiently plotting its return. Oh yes, it will be back.

The engine is complete, with ECU, alternator, headers, even the belts. This swap doesn't sound overly difficult, even for a novice.

Right?

[Brad D.]

I would say as far as swaps go, this one is pretty straight forward. The fact that you have a parts car makes it that much easier.

[kizaa]

I have the mounts switched out and the engine ready to drop in. If the b36 headers don't work, then what choices do I have? Bavauto euro, Stahl, Hartge? Are long pipes an option?

[Rich Euro M5]

I have the mounts switched out and the engine ready to drop in. If the b36 headers don't work, then what choices do I have? Bavauto euro, Stahl, Hartge? Are long pipes an option?

None of the headers you've listed will work, you need the shorty headers from a US/NA E28 M5 or E24 M6. If you have the $$$s, the headers from a Euro E24 M635Csi or E28 M5 are nice eye candy.

Rich

[kizaa]

Excuse my ignorance as far as headers go, but the ones I pulled off the '91 b36 have two teats in each pipe that feed into the block. As well, there is a fluid line that fastens to the exterior portion of the header. ??? Is this something I can simply peel off?

So my stock e28 m5 headers will work!

[cgraff]

Excuse my ignorance as far as headers go, but the ones I pulled off the '91 b36 have two teats in each pipe that feed into the block. As well, there is a fluid line that fastens to the exterior portion of the header. ??? Is this something I can simply peel off?

Doesn't sound right or familiar. Can you take a picture?

The B36 and B38 headers had plumbing for the air pump / bypass system. No fluid or anything that I remember going into the block...

[kizaa]

You're spot on! I saw the braided line and just figured fluid. So, as I see it this is something I can just eliminate vs. shutting off.

What is the best way of adapting the wiring harness to the body harness?

As well, I have been searching for these "engine ancillary brackets." What exactly should I be looking at?

[Rich Euro M5]

You're spot on! I saw the braided line and just figured fluid. So, as I see it this is something I can just eliminate vs. shutting off.

What is the best way of adapting the wiring harness to the body harness?

As well, I have been searching for these "engine ancillary brackets." What exactly should I be looking at?

Since you don't need the air pump you can eliminate it and associated brackets. You will need the brackets for the alternator and A/C compressor. Best place to look for some idea of what crosses between the S38B35 and the S38B36 is RealOEM. There is a feature which allows you to enter the PN you're researching and determine what other models used the same parts.

Here's is a technical reference for the Dual Resonace Induction System used on the S38B36 engine. There's some info on how the air pump works and how it's interfaced with the ECU.

As far as wiring the E34 M5 ECU into the E28 chassis, you'll need study the ETM for the E28 M5 and the E34 M5.

Rich