M3 engine in '91 320i?

[ZopTekRacing]

Hi guys, Iv been driving my 1991 320i e36 around for two years now.. I'm getting sick of its slowness and now wanting to but a m3 engine into it.
What would be the best way of doing this? Would it be hard?
I don't think everything will line up, what model engine would be best?

Thanks in advance

[Ivan413]

Honestly you might be better off just buying a genuine m3 because costs in parts and labour if your not doing it yourself is going to cost you heavily which in the end it will amount to the original m3 price if not more. Plus if you ever decide to sell the 320i with m3 swap it will never be worth as much plus you also don't get all the interior luxuries that an M comes with. So overall for everything that you will spend is going to end up costing you the amount of an e36 m3 that's in good condition.


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[ZopTekRacing]

Originally Posted by Ivan413

Honestly you might be better off just buying a genuine m3 because costs in parts and labour if your not doing it yourself is going to cost you heavily which in the end it will amount to the original m3 price if not more. Plus if you ever decide to sell the 320i with m3 swap it will never be worth as much plus you also don't get all the interior luxuries that an M comes with. So overall for everything that you will spend is going to end up costing you the amount of an e36 m3 that's in good condition.


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Yeah you are right there, I don't know about you but where I live m3's are about 20-30k secondhand even a 90 model is about 20k so that's why I want to put one in. I was also thinking of rebuilding my engine at a low compression rate and then turbo'n it.

[Ivan413]

Wow really 20k that's insane for that u can get a 2005 m3 for that price I live in USA ny


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[Lord Vader]

Prices for vehicles and parts in AUS is a lot higher then in the US. Their currency is also different as well.

If you have an E36, then an S50 engine is a direct bolt in replacement. Mounting points are the exact same on any E36. What you will need is the complete engine, including all accesorries (alternator, PS pump), wiring harness, and the ECU. Obviously a manual transmission is preffered. Swapping in a manual may be a little harder. You *may* need to replace the driveshaft as i believe the lenths may be different and the stock one will not fit with a 5 speed tranny.

[Ivan413]

Wow that's crazy expensive. I had no idea it was pretty much double to triple the amount here.


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[Lord Vader]

Its because EVERYTHING has to be imported. Anything not made their is imported. Cars and parts especially.

However, Australia is home to the rarest E36 M3's ever made. The M3 GTR. 15 were made to compete in their racing series.