Engine Upgrade

[Marknhl]

So I was thinking about swapping an engine into my 94 BMW 325IS. I would like to get something over 270hp. (Rivalry issue of course.) Ideas? It appears that the M3 motor through 1999 do achieve this. Perhaps the 2001+ would work. Does anyone know where I could get one of these and how much it would cost? I have heard the most all BMW engine will transfers through the years into different body styles. Will this engine fit? Thanks in advance.

[bimmerguy82]

If you are wanting to stay NA you'll need an M3 motor to get those numbers, which I think will be $$. But if you want to go FI you can probably find a used M52/M54 and go turbo.

[dannyb]

e39 m5 swap?

[94BMW325i]

No offense, but most people who bring up doing engine swaps dont realize how much money it will cost. I think the cheapest, and easiest way for you to make some power would be to find a used sc kit.

[saylee]

Originally Posted by Marknhl

So I was thinking about swapping an engine into my 94 BMW 325IS. I would like to get something over 270hp. (Rivalry issue of course.) Ideas? It appears that the M3 motor through 1999 do achieve this. Perhaps the 2001+ would work. Does anyone know where I could get one of these and how much it would cost? I have heard the most all BMW engine will transfers through the years into different body styles. Will this engine fit? Thanks in advance.

just get ready for what your in for...I am in the process of swapping my motor out still and their charging me 800 just to take my motor out. I have an s50 motor and it seems like the wiring harness that came with the motor is no good and they said ALOT wires are defected.. ( which pisses me off ) ..so I am happy but sad at the same time, because yes it does cost A lot and I am not going to be able to drive my car for a while...but just make sure everything is right, don't rush like because it will cost more....( sighs )....

[SpeedInfusion]

cheapest way to acheive 270ish? hmm do u want wheel power or power up top?

u can do 270 up top, but i dont think u can do 270whp without FI on a non m3 motor.

that being said, to acheive 270 up top on a non m3 motor, ud need a m52 motor ( which are fairly cheap), with m50 manifold, cams,full exhaust system (headers -> track pipe -> exhaust) intake, and software, and maybe some weight reduction.

[Marknhl]

well I'd be doing the work myself and with a friend. I'm hoping not to spend over $2,000. Possible? I'd prefer to stay NA. I've heard of numerous problems with FI and would rather not get into it. What is the difference between my current motor (M50TU I believe) and the M3 motor of that year. Can't I just build it to M3 specs?

[Marknhl]

looking for an engine swap guru to save the day on this question...

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

$2k i'd say know(was looking to do the same swap to my car)
UNLESS you get a REALLY insane deal on the engine, trans, wiring harness and, ecu.

[nukeduster]

Originally Posted by SpeedInfusion

cheapest way to acheive 270ish? hmm do u want wheel power or power up top?

u can do 270 up top, but i dont think u can do 270whp without FI on a non m3 motor.

that being said, to acheive 270 up top on a non m3 motor, ud need a m52 motor ( which are fairly cheap), with m50 manifold, cams,full exhaust system (headers -> track pipe -> exhaust) intake, and software, and maybe some weight reduction.

how does weight reduction help him make hp?

even then you wont make 270hp.. just supercharge the car you have, its the cheapest way to go.. AA's stage 1 kit makes like 310hp on a 325is and its like $4000. Way cheaper than a sxx motor swap will end up costing you.. and still more hp then anything short of a s38/s54/etc though a s38 swap would be badass, buddy of mine @ work had a s38 swapped 325is til it got sideswiped last year.

[SpeedInfusion]

dude, im tellin u, if ur on a budget, forget the m3 motor, just pick up

m3 cams
m3 crank
intake
m3 exhasut
software

there thats about 2K ish

if u wana build one, its gona be alot more than 2K...

now if u want u can look around 4ever for a s50/52..but the best bet for the price ur looking for and the gains u want...just go FI, get a used S/C get and be done..

[SpeedInfusion]

Originally Posted by nukeduster

how does weight reduction help him make hp?

even then you wont make 270hp.. just supercharge the car you have, its the cheapest way to go.. AA's stage 1 kit makes like 310hp on a 325is and its like $4000. Way cheaper than a sxx motor swap will end up costing you.. and still more hp then anything short of a s38/s54/etc though a s38 swap would be badass, buddy of mine @ work had a s38 swapped 325is til it got sideswiped last year.

ive heard every 100lb u lose something something something lol...

yea ur right, the weight reduction wont help, but it wil make him faster...but i guess he doesnt want faster, he just wants power...

[Marknhl]

ok. speed that sounds like exactly what i was referring to anyway. I'll just take the engine I have, bore it out, replace the crank and pistons with m3 parts, then m3 cams, now the intake and exhaust, does that even do anything for me on a NA car? I know if I go FI that it will have a big effect but I'm thinking I'll spend like a grand between those two and get about 10hp out of them. Unless i just go custom exhaust, like tell the shop what size and angles to bend the pipes and MAKE it myself. I'll do the software too. How close will this be to an actual m3 motor? And if I go FI, what would you recommend? I've heard of nightmares once you go FI and things don't work because they're not stock. Thoughts?

[Marknhl]

The other part to this is that I want to end up with basically a brand new motor. At least internally anyway. This would be the first time doing this, that's all. I don't know all the steps yet.

[Corne328]

Keep your old engine and just turbo it.