Firstfives.org

What's up you guys, so yeah. Like the title says, my second e12. My first is a 75, which I thew in an m20 with a 5 speed and its been an amazing daily ever since.

The bug bit me again and I recently negotiated the price on a '77 and now its my new baby. 530i 4 speed.
I would like to get as much information on engine and transmission as possible. I'm planning to leave this engine original and running strong. Where can I get diagrams, vaccum line diagrams and even some good performance upgrades for the engine?
Thank you so much in advance.

https://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/057en/index.htm

Whatever you do don't read the FAQs, archives, review previous posts, check Ebay for repair manuals or use Google search to find answers to your questions.

530i, notoriously bad engine. Thermal reactors, prehistoric emissions control, smog pump, even worse if you need a replacement, NLA. The 530i was peppier as a new car, the 528i runs circles around them for reliability. Getting the thermals and the pump off the engine is the best thing you will ever do. The 528i has an oxygen sensor. If you make your car into a 528i with that harness and computer plus an 02 sensor and a cat it will pass CA smog. Oh, plus you need to get rid of those thermal reactor manifolds! They would get so hot they ended up cracking heads.

Someone else can jump in here on the 528i conversion, maybe you keep the 530 injectors. I've got a complete harness, computer and manifolds if you need them. You should be planning to check the injector hoses anyway on a car that old. Dried and cracked you can expect an engine fire.

I have a 77 myself. Just upgraded to a Motronic engine and 5 speed.

Ron is correct. Except, don't stop there. Any time you buy another car, you/we
should ALWAYS change EVERY hose and belt along with changing ALL the fluids,
including the tranny, diff, motor, brake fluid and anti-freeze.
This tells you just how old everything is.
Welcome,,,,Greg

Don't forget the injector seals. Chances are every nut on your intake is loose as well. New gasket kit is a great idea, and don't forget the fuel hoses under the hood and at the fuel pump. Even the low pressure return line, it is usually the old braided hose.

BTW: The 528i came with electric ignition, I don't recall that on my 77 530i. The 528i harness has all that stuff. Reason have these are because i just parted out a 1980.

RonDwyer wrote:530i, notoriously bad engine. Thermal reactors, prehistoric emissions control, smog pump, even worse if you need a replacement, NLA. The 530i was peppier as a new car, the 528i runs circles around them for reliability. Getting the thermals and the pump off the engine is the best thing you will ever do. The 528i has an oxygen sensor. If you make your car into a 528i with that harness and computer plus an 02 sensor and a cat it will pass CA smog. Oh, plus you need to get rid of those thermal reactor manifolds! They would get so hot they ended up cracking heads.

Someone else can jump in here on the 528i conversion, maybe you keep the 530 injectors. I've got a complete harness, computer and manifolds if you need them. You should be planning to check the injector hoses anyway on a car that old. Dried and cracked you can expect an engine fire.

I have a 77 myself. Just upgraded to a Motronic engine and 5 speed.

wow! This is gold! So here's the deal, I only need that engine to run one race. And it's not even for competition, its just for fun. What I would love to do is get rid of every extra weight I don't need. I'm not worried about anything related to emissions. Is there a way I can do all that to this motor?

Wooww! Big refresh! I agree, given though is for one race, I need reliability so the car doesn't die on me. Any good reference on where can I get gaskets, brake lines and front steering/suspension components ? Thanks again.

This is what I ended up doing with my 75
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GripGreg wrote:Ron is correct. Except, don't stop there. Any time you buy another car, you/we
should ALWAYS change EVERY hose and belt along with changing ALL the fluids,
including the tranny, diff, motor, brake fluid and anti-freeze.
This tells you just how old everything is.
Welcome,,,,Greg

thank you!!