Hey guys I hope Im not torn down with my project but I really need some input. Im installing a 93 350 4 bolt with a 92 TPI and T5 into a BMW E30. I have a painless harness for the speed density and a 91 305 manual ECM. My question is this, will the aftermarket speed density setup work with a T5 and what speedometer (gauge) will work with this? I want to have all ducks in a row before starting the official install. Any information would be greatly appreciated and Im sure someone out there has done a TPI manual swap.

 

Heres some pics, hopefully you approve. I mean the only way to fix any car is to install a Chevy powerplant

 

Lol, Wow! That is one full engine bay. Please don't bring to me for a tune up. The one thing you need to look out for on the PCM is that it be for a manual trans car. The 91 uses a PCM rather than an ECM, meaning that it manages the powertrain rather that just the engine. Without the expected inputs from an automatic transmission, the auto PCM will set codes and may have issues functioning normally. You can also program the PCM to work with any changes in its environment.

The speedo drive in 91 is electronic and you will need an electronic speedo that matches the speedo output of the PCM. You can also have a buffer made to convert the signal. look for Rbob over on the DIY Prom forum for more information.

 

Benn awhile since I looked, but http://www.jagsthatrun.com/ does a lot of V8 swaps into "less common" (as well as S10) models. Might see if they have anything regarding wiring, but it looks like you alraedy have the engine & tranny mounts taken care of.

 

From what I've come to understand, the automatic plug ins don't need to be hooked up as far as code and driveability. The plugs provided are for the 700 and 200 which are electronic. The only thing needed as far as I know was the speed density (speedometer) but I wasnt sure if the units interchange from man to automatic. Now, I have an electronic unit on the T5 with the whip from factory and can't see why that wouldn't work since it's the same wavelength. Maybe overthinking this...
P.S. There's actually tons of room the pugs, cap, dizzy, even bell housing bolts can be easily seen and reached, even I was surprised lol.

 

90-92 speed density car speedometer will work. As for my 91 tpi car with the auto trans ,No bufer is needed ,it's already built into the 7730 ecm. You will need correct vss (vehicle speed sensor) in the transmission.T-5 uses a different one than the auto cars.Vss is on the side of the trans and It connects to the ecm/harness. One purple wire/1 yellow wire. Then the brown B11) wire from the ecm out to the c-207 connector/speedo. I don't think you need a buffer box, but i may be wrong. You should check on that.You will need a 350 prom chip for your ecm tho. correct 350 knock sensor and 22lb injectors, if you don't have them already.

 

Ok so the one that I have from the T5 will work... I do have 350 injectors and knock. The only thing that's not from a 350 is the ECM since they didn't make a 350 5 speed. I will use that with a custom calibration. I do know I'll need this particular ECU with the speed bu it can be rectified with a chip and the use of a fuel pressure regulator. I just hope I can get a speedo to work with the factory sensor and computer. Otherwise I'll be rigging a camaro speedo into a bimmer lol.

 

yes, the ecm will work, just need the correct prom, or re-flash that 305 prom's eprom. I would think that the only speedo that would work, would be the Camaro's. Maybe you can look into further.Idk.