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The next episode looks like this:

M52B28 from 1997 E39 528i 139k miles

OBD1 conversion with 413 red label DME and Sssquid Tuning stage 2 tune

S52 cams, M50 intake manifold, Supersprint replica long tube headers, single 3" exhaust 

Achillies upgraded oil pump shaft and oil pan baffle and every other reliability upgrade I can find

E30 G260, lightened single mass flywheel, South Bend stage 3 street clutch disc, Sachs 918 pressure plate, Z3 shifter with DSSR, S3.25 rear diff

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All of the gaskets and seals are being replaced (except for the head gasket), I purchased brand new coilpacks, sensors, hoses, vanos rebuild kit, and a host of other refresh items.

So far I have pulled the exhaust manifold, removed all the exhaust manifold studs, started pulling the intake manifold, began the tedious process of scrubbing the block for a fresh coat of paint, and have cleaned up the injectors, and sent them off to Injector Rehab for some cleaning and testing.

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Underneath the valve cover, nothing out of the ordinary, the cam lobes are in great shape which helps re-affirm that this engine was maintained to some extent.

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I can't help but sit here counting all of the valves and wonder how I got to this point in my life. 

 

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2 setbacks early in the game:

-front lifting point/corner of the head is cracked (engine didnt come with a lifting hook, just a lifting strap wrapped around it)

Not a critical mission failure, just an annoyance from a previous mechanic doing something wrong while lifting the engine

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I drilled out the ends of the crack, called a mobile welder, they wouldn't do it because its cast alum. (Nonsense, ive had a head and trans case welded before) so I put some JB Weld into the crack and wiped it clean in addition to the drilled holes to keep

It from expanding. I will need to come up with another front lifting point that will work with a load leveler.

-After sending back the basic S52 tune, I received the M52 tune but it is for 91 octane and um... an M52B25, instead of a B28. Rev limit according to the website on that one is "7400+" so needless to say I am awaiting a response from my email to Sssquid tuning.

Not mad at them or anything, they have been awesome, I just need the tune to be right though.

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7400!!!   That just is not necessary lol.  I spin my 2.5 to 6700 every day on the way to work though, the sound changes around 6300rpm and it sounds just crazy awesome.  I don't know where the rev limiter is on the Dinan chip I have (circa 1997) but I haven't hit it yet, I guess I'm not livin on the edge.

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2 setbacks early in the game:

-front lifting point/corner of the head is cracked (engine didnt come with a lifting hook, just a lifting strap wrapped around it)

Not a critical mission failure, just an annoyance from a previous mechanic doing something wrong while lifting the engine

12a8c1fe5eca9199d719faa0e69380cf.jpg

I drilled out the ends of the crack, called a mobile welder, they wouldn't do it because its cast alum. (Nonsense, ive had a head and trans case welded before) so I put some JB Weld into the crack and wiped it clean in addition to the drilled holes to keep

It from expanding. I will need to come up with another front lifting point that will work with a load leveler.

-After sending back the basic S52 tune, I received the M52 tune but it is for 91 octane and um... an M52B25, instead of a B28. Rev limit according to the website on that one is "7400+" so needless to say I am awaiting a response from my email to Sssquid tuning.

Not mad at them or anything, they have been awesome, I just need the tune to be right though.

I think 7k is dinan stuff

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Sssquid Tuning responded today, checked their records and I do in fact have the M52B28 tune as desired, the B25 was a typo, however, the 7400rpm limiter isn't sitting well with me because I know how these 24v engines get a bit crabby about harmonics after the big hand hits the 7 and the tune was for 91 octane anyways so I am having a new tune sent for 93 octane with a 7100 soft limit and a 7250 hard limit. At some point when its in the car I will put it on a dyno and see how its doing and probably get another tune revision.

I have considered making my core support removable for a while now but I think I need to make it happen for this install. I just don't think the 24V was meant to be lifted at the extreme angles required to fit into an E30. I will be looking into removable core support gameplans and alternate front engine lifting points tonight.

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5 hours ago, Snap said:

I have considered making my core support removable for a while now but I think I need to make it happen for this install. I just don't think the 24V was meant to be lifted at the extreme angles required to fit into an E30. I will be looking into removable core support gameplans and alternate front engine lifting points tonight.

Really not needed. I've pulled / installed m5x/s5x motors in e30's 10 to 15 times and only 3 or 4 have been with removable core supports. It's not a terrible fit. 

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Continuing on with my MO of spending just a few minutes a day on the project, I finally got the intake manifold off.

It isnt called a "mess under the intake" for no reason!

OBD1 will only slightly help with that.

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For those that arent aware of the difference between an M50 manifold (thick and healthy) and an M52 manifold (frail and anemic), here it is

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After I remove the E39 harness, brackets, and accessories I will be plenty busy cleaning the block.

RealOEM will become invaluable as I make a list of other clips/brackets/hoses that I didnt buy yet to mount the OBD1 harness and accessories.

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