so i took my car to my mechanic for new tires, alignment, and oil/filter, and he told me that because i have my m50 in the car i will no longer be able to pass smog? is this right? i just freaking put that thing in the car, and itll be a hassel to take it out now

It shouldnt fail the sniffer test. but if the smog tech knows what hes looking at it might fail visual check if it doesnt look stock. I also think that the m50 intake manifold sits a little higher than the stock m52. maybe you could just pre test it?

most smog places wont be able to tell the difference. I had good luck going to one of those test only stations. All they care about is processing as many cars as possible, so they dont pay a whole lot of attention

most smog places wont be able to tell the difference. I had good luck going to one of those test only stations. All they care about is processing as many cars as possible, so they dont pay a whole lot of attention

Umm... is your M50 OBD-II like your M52 was? :confused

My S52 is OBD 1. Kept all the electronics and stuff. No one can tell the difference (even I cant). The block and head look identical from the outside.

Does OBD 2 report all that stuff?? If so, my bad

My S52 is OBD 1. Kept all the electronics and stuff. No one can tell the difference (even I cant). The block and head look identical from the outside.

Does OBD 2 report all that stuff?? If so, my bad

He went from an OBD-II motor to an OBD-I motor, which isn't legal (motor must be the same year or newer). Dunno if he did an OBD-II conversion on the M50, but... it's not legal, and can't be federalized. The question is will they notice, and that I don't know enough about OBD systems to tell. Are the connectors the same? How will the computer read it out?

okay so pretty much it can pass the sniffer, but will not pass the visual if the mechanic is smart and knows the difference between the manifolds?

okay so pretty much it can pass the sniffer, but will not pass the visual if the mechanic is smart and knows the difference between the manifolds?

Is an OBD-II diagnostic port even the same? I mean, the system is completely different. The M52 has 4 (or is it 2?) O2 sensors, while M50 has only 1. Completely different computer/adaptation systems.

okay so pretty much it can pass the sniffer, but will not pass the visual if the mechanic is smart and knows the difference between the manifolds?

And being a 96, they will expect it to have OBDII. Which will be a problem if they try to connect it to a computer.

Is an OBD-II diagnostic port even the same? I mean, the system is completely different. The M52 has 4 (or is it 2?) O2 sensors, while M50 has only 1. Completely different computer/adaptation systems.

I think they have 4 o2's if I am not mistaken.


tudragan: How did you do the swap. Was it a complete change over meaning did your use or lose some connectivity with your connectors. (was all connections intact)?

I don't think it will pass if they try to smog it as an obdII. Being that the motor itself is an obdI. As stated in a previous post it is not legal to place an older motor into a newer car. The motor replacing original must be same year or newer!

So a s52 swap into a 94 is legal. Do you have to get it certified. Didn't mean to jack the thread just wondering. Anyone have a link regarding engine swaps and california laws?

You do if you want it to be legal, but most people don't care to go through the effort - very few smog places can tell one I-6 BMW engine from another, if you find one that can (and takes issue with it) find another smog place.

not worth the trouble to make an S52 (or any newer engine) into an OBD1 car "legal". Just swap them, retune, and be done.

Oh and make sure all the OBD 1 components are maintained. Valve cover, ignition coils, etc.

all i did was put the m50 manifold in, everythign else is the same. all wires connected if thats your question? i have an obd2 throttle body, obd2 fuel rail, so i dotn know what you guys are talking about how i changed my car into obd1

all i did was put the m50 manifold in, everythign else is the same. all wires connected if thats your question? i have an obd2 throttle body, obd2 fuel rail, so i dotn know what you guys are talking about how i changed my car into obd1

most smog guys won't even know that the manifold was changed, i am smog guy and at the shops i've worked at they didn't even notice. just go get it smogged, dont tell them you swapped it, have them warm up your car really good, get you certificate and go on your merry way!! :D

I agree, I think you'll be OK. You wrote tht you had the M50 in your car, so I think we all assumed engine. Although now thinking about it, it wouldnt make sense to replace your 2.8 with a 2.5

hahah, sorry for the mix up guys, but should i change my fuel rail cover to the m50 one so that itll be less noticable?

hahah, sorry for the mix up guys, but should i change my fuel rail cover to the m50 one so that itll be less noticable?

Nah, I wouldn't worry about that. Even with a mismatched fuel rail cover a BMW engine compartment looks a ton more "put together" than most cars' engines.

The big problem is that we thought you were running OBD-I in an OBD-II car. Most smog places will notice if they try to plug into the OBD-II and it's not there.

I truly thought you swapped out your m52 for an m50. Just take that car to the smog shop and get it over with.

if all you changed is the manifold, you should be ok.

i just freaking put that thing in the car, and itll be a hassel to take it out now

:lol dont brake that clip if u take it off :)