E28 Donor Car questions...

[themilkguy]

Hey folks, I have a chance to get my hands on a donor car... It is a 528e with a swapped 3.5l engine.

I have no idea what the PO did besides the swap, it sounds like the current owner doesn't have any know-how to get it running himself.

HOWEVER, I have heard that I can swap out the rear end with my '73 E12 520 and gain some final drive percent as well as the disc brakes. I could also use some of the front end steel as well as the lower valence. There's even what he calls a "dog-leg 5sp" in it now, though he did not say the model #.

There is also (what looks to be) an M20 engine included as well as a truckload of other parts like power options, seats, doors, etc.

So my question is this: Is there a market for any of the engines and parts I do not need? I don't really want to turn my back yard into a scrapyard for any longer than necessary, but I have never considered doing anything like this before, so your input would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Craig

[tschultz]

If it is indeed a dogleg gearbox, those are worth $500-$100 depending on condition. Usually there should be a demand for e28 parts.

The differential should be a direct swap if it is the "Sideloader" style, but I don't think any E28's had this style.

I know there are others with more in depth knowledge than myself

[T.Hanson]

There is a factory parts interchange list on the FAQ pages.

Building the 633 into a 635 by switching the parts from the rusted 635, I think I'm related to Fred Sanford. Eventually I'll have parts for sale, but I've concluded the motivation will have to be finding them good homes, and my aversion to junking perfectly good rear seats, etc.

If you visit ebay or local CraigsList you'll see there are, " Stores," sellers that do it on a continuing basis as a business. $ 9 for some pieces, maybe seats for $350,...with no bidders.

With the weighing, boxing, hauling to Post Office or FedEx, UPS, monitoring the bids, answering questions, I don't see it as a viable enterprise.

[Falkenberg]

528e is M20, a fuel economy, down-tuned version of it, with low compression but a big displacement (for an M20). The engine is quite popular in tuning circles (E30), it has power potential.

[Mike W.]

HOWEVER, I have heard that I can swap out the rear end with my '73 E12 520 and gain some final drive percent as well as the disc brakes. I could also use some of the front end steel as well as the lower valence. There's even what he calls a "dog-leg 5sp" in it now, though he did not say the model #.

Craig

While I'm told it is possible to swap the entire rear subframe and everything connected to it, that is the only way you could swap the diff from an E28. And then you will need the early, 84 and earlier, rear diff cover. Pretty much the only doglegs were the G265/5, which while desirable, don't really have that good a reputation and are not overdrive trannys, they're a 1:1 5th.

[themilkguy]

Thanks for the intel guys. I'll have a look, grab the serial # and take some pictures and we'll see where this goes.

Cheers