Reassembly & First Drive Ends In DISASTER! | M52 Swapped BMW E30 Build Shakedown Run MOT Fail | 056

[@clayp.e30_v86]

I call them "conversion niggles". Youll iron them out mate On my m50 swapped e30 some 15 year ago now i ran a 4.10 diff and the gearing was so short it was ridiculous. When i pulled that out a bit later to put an m52b28 in, i swapped that dif out for a 3.64 lsd. This gave me good cruise ability if i remember rightly about 70 mph to just about 3000 rpm 😎 P.s, for what its worth i also had 318iS gearbox on the back of my m52b28 and im not joking when i say this, i had exactiy the same issue as you where i fitted an m20 flywheel and what looked to be a very good condition second hand clutch. It slipped from day 1 🤦‍♂️ Back out and new clutch in, she gave me 5 years of fun and i gave it a hard time everywhere .!

[@SPANNERRASH]

No way, the exact same setup and same clutch slipping issue? I will likely end up swapping a new one in too then, but it's gutting when the one that's in looked absolutely mint and next to new. Maybe looks can be deceiving. We'll see what I find when I pull the slave cyl out to rule it out. If nothing, then off the gearbox comes again. I think I am after that exact same 3.64 limited slip diff, although they seem hard to come by these days and they've tripled in price since I last had an E30. Mental, but I think I can't live with the 4.27 for too long. Thanks for the words of encouragement mate, I am sure you're right, I will iron them out eventually! 😁

[@clayp.e30_v86]

​@SPANNERRASH absolutely true yes. I was pissed 😂 New sachs clutch job was a goodun I remember paying 350 for my 3.64 back then. Try closer to a grand now 😮 I just removed the 4.0 to build a 4.4 frankenmotor (you may have seen it on the Facebook groups with the green valve covers). The clutch did 5000 miles but that included a trip to the Nűrburgring so taking zero chances I've got a new one to go back in all be it upgraded friction material. Probably overkill but given the fact the whole engine has to be pulled to change the clutch, I'd rather swallow the cost now than the time plus the cost later 🙈

[@vsparky6967]

Very cool to see it running!!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks! the M52 seems to run really sweet, I've no complaints about that so far. The running gear though, not so brilliant... I've got more work to do before this car is ready. But that's life when you're working on old BMWs! 😆 I am feeling optimistic that we'll solve all the issues.

[@vsparky6967]

@@SPANNERRASH Hope everything goes well! I though about swapping mine in the future too, but decided to stick with the oem motor

[@shanechiddy4303]

Great work mate, don’t be guttered, it’s all steps in the right direction. Ticking off the issues one at a time. It’s great to have your dad helping too, that’d gold. Standing by for your next video.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Shane! I'm feeling a bit more positive about the project again after my wobble. I'm sure all of the issues can be solved!

[@CARJOURNEY]

I had a similar issue when I had an M40 clutch in just to get my swap moving, a way you can cheat the slave cylinder to work is to go under the car and open the bleed screw (make sure now one is inside the car, leave the clutch pedal as-is), and then crack it open. The pressure plate will purge out the extra fluid that could be locked in - worked for me.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting idea, I will definitely give that a try first. Cheers!

[@CARJOURNEY]

@@SPANNERRASH sure thing, let me know how it works for you

[@bmwfear]

Problem for clutch slip might be the clutch slave cylinder pin lenght I can show you photos with mine

[@SPANNERRASH]

Great idea, I will be looking very closely at the clutch slave cylinder before I even think about removing the gearbox. Hoping it will be something silly like that. Cheers! 🤞

[@tubelix1]

Did you machine the front of the flywheel as well? Either the friction surface or surface around it where the pressure plate mounts? This can mess up your clamping pressure.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting suggestion, but only the rear of the flywheel was machined. One thought I had was that the clutch disk or the flywheel have some contamination from storage which might be preventing it from gripping. I am considering taking it out for more of a drive to get it heated up and see if it improves. I need to sort the throttle cable out because it revs so fast it scared me with this flywheel. 😆

[@benfidar]

Mine is a freeway bomber with a 3:15. 70mph at 2725 rpm. I suspect you will be looking for a 3:64, 70@3000 and 100@4250 in fifth. I priced 3:46s but they were really expensive.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Ben, good options there. The 4.27 I have now is a bit maddening, the revs are uncomfortably high, it makes 1st gear pretty much pointless. As this will be a fun weekend driver's car that I only occasionally take on longer trips, I think the 3.64 will be the right compromise. 3.15 must be really nice for cruising in though, but I'm actually quite a long way from a motorway here as it is. We're way out in the sticks, in Yorkshire. 😝

[@AbbaAbba-v7l]

I just swapped the whole m50 with gearbox attached no head aches no issues. Just wanted it in and started

[@SPANNERRASH]

Sounds good! what prop shaft are you using to make that work?

[@AbbaAbba-v7l]

@@SPANNERRASH I did the swap over 10 years ago using an m50 non vanos from a 525i. The prop from zf box was mated up an e30 325i back end of prop which was connected to an e30 m3 diff I got from Moseley motor sports

[@AbbaAbba-v7l]

@@SPANNERRASH it was straight in no messing about

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@AbbaAbba-v7l Sounds good, those ZF gearboxes are worth a pretty penny now unfortunately. So is the low ratio limited slip diff you need to pair with one to make it work. And good luck finding one. Other than that, ZF way is probably better!

[@AbbaAbba-v7l]

@@SPANNERRASH if I knew that 15 years ago I would have had around 4 e30s and 2 e34s. Parts Wer way cheap e30 tec 1 around 1200 tec 2 around 2500 back in 2003

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

check the clutch master and clutch slave, they might not be releasing all the way. And as for the noice in the front, it looks like the tire is catching the fender liner

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers I will check that for sure, no way am I removing the gearbox until I know the hydraulic system is functioning properly. And maybe you're right about the tyre, I will check that closer too.

[@Flordeh]

It's great to see it coming along. Hiccups are all part of the journey. As for the clutch slip, could the clutch disk be reversed? Or the slave cylinder not be a match? It didn't look like the disk and flywheel surface were glazed. The Z3 coup for the first two peduction years with the M52 had a rear diff ratio of 3.46 could try to look in parts yards for one. Believe it was the "torsion" style with "s" on the diff tag.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks man, and you're 100% right, this is just part of the process. We will get there in the end! Very interesting suggestion about the clutch disk, I will look closely at my footage and try to confirm that, but I'm fairly sure we set it the correct way around. A 3.46 diff would probably suit it well. My ideal is probably a medium case 3.65 clutch type LSD, but they are hard to find these days! I've never tried a torsion diff though.

[@ProJustice1981]

Great work so far , I was going to get a M20 Flywheel this saturday for my M52B25 swap in the E30. Good to know these problems and also the dif probs. Will always stay tuned here for more tips and tricks from you. Good luck cant wait for the next video. Greetings from Netherlands

[@SPANNERRASH]

Nice thanks Nico! I think the M20 flywheel should work great, that's what everyone uses for 24v swaps and very few complaints. I think the problems are all solvable with the clutch and the throttle. Just a shame I have a lot more work to do before I can properly drive it!

[@a-091-l2j]

Rather than spray on copper grease to stop the coilovers seizing i glooped shed loads of regular grease on by hand and then cable tied rubber squares made of pond liner offcuts over the greasy threads to stop all the road grim and water slowly washing the grease off. Plus... Stops you getting covered in grease if working nearby on the car. (Eg doing brakes tracking etc).

[@SPANNERRASH]

Good suggestion, I am planning to fit those Coilover covers you can get on top to keep them protected. I am paranoid about them rusting straight away because they are so famous for it!

[@a-091-l2j]

@@SPANNERRASH I think that's probably a very wise move!

[@arroncribbon3809]

Hi man, same issues I had when I did mine, I’d recommend a clutch masters clutch/pressure plate and sachs throw out bearing. Then for your diff I’d recommend a 3.64 limited slip out of a 325i sport generally

[@arroncribbon3809]

Also it’s worth a thought to do the dual diff mounts at they power as I also broke that

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@arroncribbon3809 Thanks Arron! I will check those parts out, and interesting tip on the diff hanger, sounds like an upgrade I will want to make at some point.

[@randytodd6118]

I know you are ptobably done with the car but you need to check out Chase Bay for parts for the E30 upgrades

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Randy, I will check that out. The car is a driver now but far from finished. A few issues to iron out and almost all the cosmetics too.

[@S1ckbg]

spraying with the copper grease was a bad idea ask me how i know. It traps road crap and the road crap traps moisture and you end up with forever at that high coilovers :)

[@SPANNERRASH]

No way, I thought copper grease was the secret weapon when it comes to protecting the threads on coilovers! I will have to clean them all the time. But I might actually add those coilover covers you can get to protect them. What do you use instead?

[@S1ckbg]

@@SPANNERRASHWell from experience and other ppl advice the best way to go is without any grease and just wash the coilovers every time you are washing the car. The coilover socks are a good idea too :)

[@cameronfish6623]

I can’t remember if you had done a rack swap, I believe you did. If you did the original linkage will bind with a quicker rack. That might be your clunk. Garagistic sells a kit that involves shortening the original one. A smaller Guy named “rageitparts” sells a complete swap out of your original one for a shorter one. Hope this helps.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Yeah I got the Z3 2.7 turn rack plus a custom Corsa steering linkage which is slimmer. Theres good space for the exhaust manifold and steering linkage now, I am fairly confident its not the problem. Cheers!

[@A-hen]

Congrates . Its still progress, even if you’ve got to go back a few steps

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks! And you are certainly right, sometimes you have to go backwards a bit to go forward again. 😃

[@a-091-l2j]

You're gutted because you've found a laundry list of issues, but id say every issue found is progress made on a very involved home project! Keep going! It's going to be ace!

[@SPANNERRASH]

I suppose you are totally correct with that! I was feeling very low after finding out the car has problems still, but I'm feeling a lot more optimistic about solving them now. I'm not planning on giving up any time soon! Cheers 😃

[@cCLi11o6]

I've been following you so long, good to see your e30 running!!!!!!! cool!!!!🥰

[@SPANNERRASH]

Glad you're enjoying following along! The M52B28 really does run great, I am really happy with it. Just a few extra problems to solve before I can really open it up.

[@topping1.0]

where are the 5 lug hubs from??? thats EXPENSIVEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@SPANNERRASH]

Check out my two 5-lug swap videos for all the details on that. So far it seems to work well! 😃

[@a-091-l2j]

Are you sure the shoes themselves are adjusted up tight enough in the handbrake drums? I dont remember my e30 handbrake lever having that springyness in the off position (it has been a long time since i had that car though, so memory might be iffy)

[@SPANNERRASH]

Yeah I am finding it strange too, but then the handbrake works like a dream, no issues at all with operation. Maybe I need to tighten the lever more, or maybe there's something else about the lever which is a bit off.

[@a-091-l2j]

Well that's the important part! especially if it's MOT is coming up!

[@BackGardenGarage]

Nice to see it running, ive just started my E30 resto, im curious to know if you were able to get a good impression of the brake pedal feel with all the servo changes?

[@SPANNERRASH]

The brakes are actually one of the few things that feels great! just like my stock E46, just right I would say. Might need to use them in anger a bit more to properly feed back, but they feel strong and easily modulated so far. Unlike the throttle which is on/off. 😄

[@BackGardenGarage]

@@SPANNERRASH Ok thanks, so there was a positive to come from the drive then! And the niggles..well, more content at least, good luck with them.

[@vagkos3060]

Aweosme video !!! Car turns out amazing !!! Well done !!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks mate! Super happy it drives down the road and the engine is sweet, but boy am I sad that I'll likely have to take the gearbox back off. 😆 I was feeling quite sorry for myself after discovering issues, but now I am feeling optimistic again. I will sort the car out and it's got potential to be an epic driving car.

[@vagkos3060]

@@SPANNERRASH Yeah its a bit sad you have to take out the gearbox off , but dont be sorry of yourself, you should be proud of yourself!!! you dissambled a whole car and put it back together all by yourself with mods on it not olny stock parts. I am sure you will fix it and it will be an awesome car !! Also if you remember me about the fender blinders i bought some from the e36 wearing and with the help of your dimes i will put them on today , i will send you photos to see !!

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@vagkos3060 Maybe you are right and this is just part of the process. I guess the car has come a long way and its still going to end up being great! Brilliant, I really hope your side repeaters work properly, they definitely look cooler with them installed.

[@ytbb123]

I had also clutch problems when i m52 swapped my compact. I had a aftermarket flywheel, and there was a different hight @ the flywheel and pressureplate combination. But great to see it drive, well done ! hope you get it all sorted soon and enjoy the car bro

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting, so the combination you had didn't work out? My combo should be spot on because all parts are M20 and from the same clutch kit. I am sure I can fix it, just a bit sad I have lots more work to do! 😆 Cheers!

[@phiphia3004]

Congratulations on completing the first stage 🔥

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thank you mate, plenty more to come!

[@jasonschreiber6458]

Clutch disc backwords?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Others have said that, it's possible, but I seem to recall it would only fit on one way, so I'm doubting thats the issue.

[@mariosnikolaou5212]

Good things happening m8! You car looks mental with the different color front end. I just puted an M50B25TU in my E30. Need to address some things, though the wiring is done and it starts so I'm pleased for now. I have a G260 box, what fluid should i use? There is a label that says ATF on it. It gets really hot in the summer. Greetings from Greece.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks Marios! Yeah I am starting to kind of like the look of the car, it kind of looks cool being scruffy with a black front end. One day it will hopefully look like a new E30 though, but maybe not that soon at the current rate. 😝 Congratulations on getting your M50 running! Interesting, it says ATF on the sticker for your gearbox? As you live in a hot climate I would consider a thicker MTF oil like the common 75w80. I think you should do some extra research on that though, it may be some trial and error. A thinner ATF will give less protection when hot than a more traditional MTF.

[@Dennis-eh2vx]

Very nice to see it running. When you strip it again for panting, which I am looking forward to cause I am more of restoration and painting guy, do you need all new plastic mounting clips and inserts? And I suppose you’re going to take the windows out as well giving the fact you are a perfectionist? I heard you mentioning the front wheels? Do you mean they do not really fit in the arches cause it looks that way. I really enjoy your channel and asking these questions cause I am really curious and again, looking forward to the cosmetic videos. Keep up the good work man!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks Dennis! I am planning to fit an Mtech II body kit so currently I'm not totally sure how to mount it, its a way off yet so I guess I will work that out at the time. With the front wheels, I think the front tie rods are hitting the under tray I refitted, I will get that trimmed. I am also looking forward to painting the car, it will be a big challenge but I suspect I will learn a lot.

[@johnmason1693]

Did you pick up some 15 inch Basketweaves?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi John, its on 16 inch basketweaves currently. They are E38 7-series style 5 wheels. Check out my vids on the 5-lug swap to see how I got those to work. I love the way these look, very OEM+.

[@johnmason1693]

Ok I missed that one....How does your e30 take bumps and railroad tracks.....I've had 4 E30's over the years and this is the first time I have lowered the car with H&S springs along with Bilstein shocks......love the handling but damn it takes rough roads rough@@SPANNERRASH

[@johnmason1693]

Missed that one....will ck it out!@@SPANNERRASH

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@johnmason1693 It certainly seems stiffer than a standard E30. When I had a 318is a few years ago on standard sport E30 suspension I felt it was too soft and rolly by modern car standards. I'm hoping the car on these coilovers will be sporty but not too crashy. Stand by for a report on that as I haven't driven the car enough to comment yet. 😄

[@adamn.9525]

Sucks when you finally get the car out hoping for the best and you get a bunch of kicks in the pants instead. Still, I bet it was nice to get it rolling! Great to see regardless. Great job on the build as always, nice your dad (I think) wants to chip in

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Adam, yeah I was really deflated after the drive in this vid. Gutted to find so many issues with the car. It lead on to quite a lot of unplanned work too. 😆 Feel like we're back on track now though thankfully. And yeah the old man is still the MVP, we have a laugh working on projects. 😀

[@timmyturbo69]

Just got done watching your PAS line install video. I noticed a very similar sounding clunk when you bent the high pressure line round the back of the rack splines. Check around 32:30 in this vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH2YaHt7r8eaoLM. I wonder if the rear line is fouling on the rack or the linkage when its all under load? may just need to pin this line more out of the way. Either way, whatever was causing the noise in that section of the video would be where I would start diagnosing that noise. Great progress though mate, you've done the hard bit now.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi mate, I actually followed up on the lines after I concluded that it wasn't going to work the way I had rerouted them. I ended up going with BMConversions custom lines for a perfect fit, you can check that out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5q7pmmYaNlqpJI Stand by for follow-up vid on my first drive issues, coming soon 😃 Cheers!

[@timmyturbo69]

​@@SPANNERRASH​ ah ok sound. Only recently found your channel so haven't caught up yet. You have inspired me to press on and get my E30 finished. I ordered my lines from Dan today so will see how yours got on. I just definitely heard a very similar clunk in that video when you were bending the HP line so assumed that would be the place I would start. Looking forward to the latest update mate.

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@timmyturbo69 welcome aboard mate! Quite a bit of work done to date on this E30 so might be worth a skim through. Neat that you have your own E30 build on the go, hopefully some of my vids will come in useful for you. Hoping to dive into the first drive issues this weekend and will look closely at those lines, thanks for pointing that out. 😃

[@blockpartyvintage1568]

Well done brother. It'll all be worrh it in the end

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks mate, I hope youre right!

[@EliteHydronics.]

3.73 led will be perfect

[@SPANNERRASH]

Sounds like it would work well, lets see what I can find! 😄

[@ataylor5539]

Working out the kinks comes with all projects. Youll get it dialed.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks mate, I was feeling pretty deflated after that first drive. Still a fair amount to do before she's ready to drive it turns out... We'll get there!

[@bobfrankish8883]

Disappointing result, but goes with the territory I'm afraid. I'm sure you'll sort it. It really has come a long way though, you have a lot of positives.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks Bob, I was gutted to find new issues and the need to re-cover old ground I thought I'd closed the book on. But hey-ho, such is life. I guess I will have to suck it up and dive into it to figure out what the problem is. I'm feeling more positive since filming. 😃

[@georgeclements2742]

A real bummer, but, considering the amount of adaptation you have done to the car, not surprising. No doubts that you will get the issues sorted. Some people call it character building 😀. Good luck and best wishes.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers George, and yes I think "character building" is a good term in these circumstances. 😆 I was feeling sorry for myself after finding all the issues, but I think I'm ready to take them on again now!

[@dhilankerai3585]

The cars come a long way. These small mishaps are part of owning a project car. This is nothing in the grand scheme of things and I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it work. ❤💪

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks man! I was feeling really low after finding out I had issues. The clutch broke my heart a bit. 😆 You're 100% right though, this is just a minor setback, I'm feeling positive that we'll be back on track!

[@polloloci21]

I might be the minority- but those black bumpers look cool. 😬 Bummer that you have some more work- but that’s part of the fun. Car loos sweet on those style 5s. No clue regarding the slipping clutch- I still have the original m20b25- 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@SPANNERRASH]

Haha yeah the look is starting to grow on me actually. Maybe I wont mind so much driving the car around like this. It looks kind of mean! 😆 I am feeling optimistic again that I can solve all the problems. Cheers!

[@mcjjordan]

Ive gone from 4:11 to 3:64 & just about to fit 3:45

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting, why switch from the 3.64 to a 3.45? What revs were you doing at 70 in 5th?

[@mcjjordan]

@@SPANNERRASH 3:64 is whining & 3:45 is lsd. 4:11=3400,3:65 =3000, 3:45= 2850

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@mcjjordan Nice makes sense. Did you notice the drop in urgency having changed to a longer diff? I imagine you were pleased when you got onto a motorway either way though!

[@Zam786]

Well done, pal! ❤

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks mate!