F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > N47 and N57 Turbodiesel Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > F31 F30 328Dx AWD to RWD Swap: Project Completed
Extreme Powerhouse
Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-22-2015, 02:59 PM   #1
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
F31 F30 328Dx AWD to RWD Swap: Project Completed

Hey everyone, we are new on Bimmerpost, but not new to the BMW world. Back in 2011 we built the first twin screw supercharger for the M62 chassis and since then we have done many E series swaps from the E46 M62, to a 100% factory-replica E39 wagon S62 which was featured at Bimmerfest 2015. Now it's time for us to enter the Fxx swap world. The first F series project we completed was done to discover any new difficulties BMW might have in store for us when it comes to power-train swaps.

For this project our donor car was a 2015 BMW 328Dx AWD Wagon. It's unfortunate that BMW never released any RWD F31 Wagons in USA, so we decided to see if this concept was possible. After initial research, it appeared that the F31 and F30 share the same base frame structure, just as the E39 sedan and wagon do. Further research showed that the software/coding should be a relatively easy job since the USA has a RWD 328D sedan and most of the coding can be carried over. All of that sounded straight forward, until we got into it.

Day One:

The easy part of the project. Removal of the AWD components:


Basic AWD layout on Fxx








AWD T-Case and Trans are ready to be removed








Now we are ready to install the new transmission. Since both cars use 8HP45 transmission with identical bell housings, the new RWD transmission and torque converter can just bolt right up to the engine block. The driveshaft ordered for Euro 320D wagon bolted right up without any issues, but that was the end of the easy part of the swap. The USA spec 328D wagon has much wider trans mounting to support the AWD transfer case so we had to address this issue:




The solution: A little bit of custom fabrication.




With everything mounted up, all we have left are the oil pan/front wheel drive components, which we will address in the next update. (Excuse the red zip-tie, it was used to hold wiring in place during welding)
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...psfeejavfc.jpg


This concluded the mechanical part of the swap. Overall, it went smoothly enough and only took us about 5 hours from start to finish. For now, we left the front wheel drive axles, front differential and AWD oil pan on the car. We did that because in the next 2 weeks we will removing DPF to build a custom one, so the front AWD components will be removed at that time.


Next Day: Coding

There aren't many pictures during this stage of the project, but it was the most complicated part of the swap. The first step was getting the transmission to shift, as the transmission was stuck in park. Originally, it seemed that plain old coding was the answer to our problems, but that wasn't the case. Back in the E90/E46 days, swapping transmissions was as easy as plug-and-play. The car would never check the VIN number of the transmission or anything similar. Now, BMW, to avoid people from buying used parts like transmissions, has implemented a new code to block shifting unless the TCM (built into the valve body) VIN number matches with the one in EWS/FEM AND DSC. No matter what coding or software we ran on the transmission, it would not shift because EEPROM's VIN would not match the FEM module's VIN. After a lot of head scratching, different ideas and many cups of coffee, we were able to finally change the VIN in the TCM's software and EEPROM. At that point, the trans shifted into drive and the first part of the swap was complete:

Basic Coding to make the car realize that its a RWD model:




All coding done, but the transmission would not shift and DSC was having alignment issues:


VIN issue solved, Trans shifts! (Airbag light due to the fact that SRS module needs to be, all fixed with quick ISTA procedure) :
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...pspz690d0j.jpg


Applying our reflash tune and the car is ready to go:
Appreciate 3
obert1781.00
      08-24-2015, 01:21 PM   #2
Flakmunky
Amateur Brain Surgeon & Olympic Knitting Champion
United Kingdom
18
Rep
178
Posts

Drives: E85, E92, F31, G31
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Wow! I have no idea why you would want to do this, if for no other reason than 'why not?'...

Nice write up.
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2015, 07:07 PM   #3
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
It was done for two reasons. First being the fact that you can't buy a RWD 328D in USA. second one being: no one has swapped anything in F30, so why not
Appreciate 2
donkey458.50
glitdi53.00
      08-25-2015, 02:09 PM   #4
E92 M2530Z
Private
12
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: E92 2008 335i
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Subscribed; other than losing the complexity of xDrive that's unnecessary in SoCal, what are the main benefits of doing this? Is this a very costly transformation? I love the F31 diesel, but don't want xDrive
Appreciate 0
      08-25-2015, 02:40 PM   #5
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Xdrive is good in cold weather climates but completely useless in SoCal. Now that the car is RWD, it feels way more responsive, lighter and on top of that gets about 6 more mpg. BMW should have offered RWD Wagons in USA as the car really feels transformed compared to AWD.
Appreciate 1
haagm58809.50
      08-25-2015, 07:34 PM   #6
E92 M2530Z
Private
12
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: E92 2008 335i
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmeroem View Post
Xdrive is good in cold weather climates but completely useless in SoCal. Now that the car is RWD, it feels way more responsive, lighter and on top of that gets about 6 more mpg. BMW should have offered RWD Wagons in USA as the car really feels transformed compared to AWD.
Nice, that's impressive!

Any plans to try this on a F25 diesel and make it an sDrive?
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2015, 12:21 PM   #7
....,,,,..,,..
General
No_Country
6732
Rep
20,651
Posts

Drives: xxxx
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: xxxx

iTrader: (0)

Impressive engineering concept and actual work.

Now the big question is, BMW does not have a decent Diesel engine over there.... Next project fit an F3x 335d engine

If give the choice between 4 cylinders and 6...
Appreciate 1
      08-26-2015, 05:19 PM   #8
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Yes, you have read our minds exactly. We are actually planning on swapping in N57 (either the twin turbo 335D or the tri turbo 550Md) soon.

For now we are focusing on getting the F30 and F10 tunes released to public.
Appreciate 1
      08-29-2015, 08:02 AM   #9
Disturbed
First Lieutenant
Disturbed's Avatar
United_States
24
Rep
381
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

Any chance you can do the 228d or 335d swap into a e92 or F82?
I would love have a 2-door diesel. Can't get a 2-door diesel in the U.S. unless it's a golf or Beatle.
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2015, 11:32 AM   #10
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
We can do anything really. 335d swap into e92/F32 is the best option. Im pretty sure you will not want to take F82 M4 and swap in a diesel into it. Besides the costs, the swap itself is a do-able project. If you really want a Coupe Diesel, the best thing you can do is get a F32 with blown motor and swap in a euro N57. The twin turbo euro version of N57 puts down 380HP with our tune and will be a really fun car to drive.
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2015, 09:03 AM   #11
Disturbed
First Lieutenant
Disturbed's Avatar
United_States
24
Rep
381
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

Shoot me a PM with your contact info. I'd like to know more details.
Appreciate 1
      08-30-2015, 12:04 PM   #12
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
PM replied
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2015, 11:23 AM   #13
Thumper333
Captain
Thumper333's Avatar
United_States
299
Rep
693
Posts

Drives: 2018 M240i X-Drive
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmeroem View Post
Yes, you have read our minds exactly. We are actually planning on swapping in N57 (either the twin turbo 335D or the tri turbo 550Md) soon.
Go with the tri-turbo. Go big or go home LOL
__________________
2018 M240i X-Drive | Sunset Orange Met
2015 328d X-Drive Touring M-Sport (Traded)
2015 Audi S4 Sepang Blue P+ | DSG | Tech Package | Adaptive Suspension | B&O
2015 Audi S3 Misano Red | 19" Sport pack w/Mag Ride | B&O
1983 Porsche 944 All stock
Appreciate 1
      09-07-2015, 10:47 PM   #14
FSociety
IG @bmwF9xG80
FSociety's Avatar
3810
Rep
7,593
Posts

Drives: G80 M3, X4M, G07 X7m50
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC to NJ to Orlando FL

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2023 BMW G80 M3  [0.00]
2020 BMW X4MC  [0.00]
16' BMW X4 M40i  [10.00]
06 Cadillac STS  [0.00]
Post more info instead of PM =D
__________________
60-130mph 6.5s X4M #HCP
60-130mph 5.0s G80 M3 #OrlandoAutowerks Sauce

IG: @bmwF9XG80

Appreciate 0
      09-12-2015, 05:01 PM   #15
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
What info would you like to know?
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2015, 07:40 PM   #16
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
5K miles later and not a single issue. Car pulls great thanks to the tune and a lot of less weight.
Appreciate 0
      10-02-2015, 12:46 PM   #17
Polo08816
Brigadier General
1594
Rep
3,926
Posts

Drives: 2014 335i M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Can't you just remove the driveshaft to the front differential and seal up the opening with some flexseal?
Appreciate 0
      10-07-2015, 09:41 PM   #18
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Theoretically, yes you can if you also kill the fuse/disable the T-CASE. The issue is that there will be issues regarding warning lights as well as the fact that the weak part of the drive train is still there (the transfer case).

Last edited by MissionPerformance; 10-07-2015 at 09:48 PM..
Appreciate 0
      03-11-2016, 12:23 AM   #19
MissionPerformance
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
MissionPerformance's Avatar
United_States
1505
Rep
676
Posts


Drives: '17 F31 340xi US Spec
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Car received a stage 2 software with DPF/EGR/SCR delete about 3 months ago. After much real world testing, including high altitude tests, we settled on a software revision designed for a daily driven 328d to limit WOT smoking as well as safe operation at low ambient pressure condition

Dyno results of stage 2 reflash: Since this dyno, peak torque curve has been moved 300 rpms up the power band for smoother feel.
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2016, 01:02 PM   #20
ponch
New Member
2
Rep
12
Posts

Drives: 328d
Join Date: May 2015
Location: SOCAL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MissionPerformance View Post
Car received a stage 2 software with DPF/EGR/SCR delete about 3 months ago. After much real world testing, including high altitude tests, we settled on a software revision designed for a daily driven 328d to limit WOT smoking as well as safe operation at low ambient pressure condition

Dyno results of stage 2 reflash: Since this dyno, peak torque curve has been moved 300 rpms up the power band for smoother feel.
Alex, I've put a couple thousand miles on my 328d now and no issues, it is now a fun machine to drive. I have finished removing scr and left the stock muffler. it sounds ok but now looking for options on that.
Way more responsive now and so much more power that My wife tells me she wants to learn how to drift since it wants to drift every corner.

Thank You for the awesome work!!
Appreciate 0
      10-07-2016, 11:54 PM   #21
Beemmer
Private
22
Rep
80
Posts

Drives: crashed e93
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: i dont know

iTrader: (0)

Awesome work 100/100
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2016, 12:34 PM   #22
beanbaguk
Captain
beanbaguk's Avatar
Spain
454
Rep
938
Posts

Drives: BMW G30 520d M-Sport
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Costa del Sol

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MissionPerformance View Post
It was done for two reasons. First being the fact that you can't buy a RWD 328D in USA. second one being: no one has swapped anything in F30, so why not
Bloomin' heck! I would have swapped you my 320d RWD F31 for your 328dX F31....it would have cost less I think!
__________________
Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer
Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport
Appreciate 0
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:47 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST