hey newbie engine swaps - BMW Forum

dropped · 02-24-2008, 03:53 PM

Hey people

sorry to bring this subject up its most probly been covered a few times I did do a search but came up with nothing .

I have a 318i e36 bmw it says its a m3 on the rego but i know thats wrong any way is there many simple engine swaps that can be done to this car so i can get that sack of beans they call a m40 out of the engine bay? if there isnt any easy ones i think ill just have to go and get a nissan v8 and put that into it. which would be fun but cost alot on gas so any help with a bmw engine up grade would be good thanks,

dvmotorsports · 02-24-2008, 04:21 PM

well if you reg says m3 throw an S52 or S54 in it

Teh Prof · 02-24-2008, 04:34 PM

Easier by far to do an S52. What country do you live in?

saltshaker185 · 02-24-2008, 04:50 PM

far easier to do an s50... depending on the year of course

dropped · 02-25-2008, 04:11 PM

i live in new zealand so i can pretty much get away with putting any motor i want in it. i put a sr20det into a laurel and never had a problem with the law or any one like that. im new to beamers whats a s50 out of?

dannyb · 02-26-2008, 08:20 AM

Obd I M3

SpeedInfusion · 02-26-2008, 01:31 PM

s50 is out of a 95 and earlier e36 m3, the s52 is out of the later 96+ e36 m3, ur in a non US country so u are lucky enough to have the better motors. the s50 u get is 286 hp while the s52 is 321...our s50 and 52 are only 240 hp.

dropped · 02-26-2008, 07:49 PM

I called a few car wreckers and those motors are fucken $$$$$$$$$$ over here i can get a 1uzfe lexus v8 or a nissan v8 over here with gearbox and loom and ecu for about 1500 nz dollars which is pretty good so i think ill just end up doing that it will be far cheaper and faster in the long run cheers for all your help guys.

skytiger · 02-29-2008, 12:10 PM

Well if you like your V8 power you could go for a 4.4 M62 from either a E39 5 series or or E38 7 series. you should be able to pick one of those up cheap enough. There will be some trouble with the sump and you will have to source either a alpina or hartge sump to clear the forward cross member. The M62 is lighter and shorter than the straight 6 M3 engine and offers 286hp in stock form but it can handle a lot more. You will also need a manual gearbox from a e34 530i V8. and the wiring will be fun!
I once sold a knackared 530i v8 before I knew that I would need the box for this conversion

SpeedInfusion · 02-29-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropped

I called a few car wreckers and those motors are fucken $$$$$$$$$$ over here i can get a 1uzfe lexus v8 or a nissan v8 over here with gearbox and loom and ecu for about 1500 nz dollars which is pretty good so i think ill just end up doing that it will be far cheaper and faster in the long run cheers for all your help guys.

check bimmerforums.com for people with used motors who upgrade...u should be able to get a S50 for like 2K

or if ur not picky, get a M52 motor, and make it obd1 status.M52's are cheap, like 1200-1800

dropped · 03-01-2008, 02:03 AM

all the bm motors are double or tripple the price of the nissan or toyota v8s and the nissan has more power so im looking that way and they also have a 12 bold crank so they are dam strong.

nukeduster · 03-01-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropped

all the bm motors are double or tripple the price of the nissan or toyota v8s and the nissan has more power so im looking that way and they also have a 12 bold crank so they are dam strong.

youre not a purist like some people here, so i'd say get a non-bmw motor. they make more power for less money and if you can do the fab work they are definately worth it.

also a chevy ls1/ls6 is a good option too. get one out of a holden monaro over in NZ.