m3 engine swap - BMW Forum

MiguelACA · 05-10-2006, 03:14 AM

ok, so my g/fs uncle buys wrecked cars and stuff, and says he might be able to get me a good e36 m3 donor car to get the engine out of, my question is, how much of a hassle is it to put in a S50 into a 325i

my car is a 95 325i, lets say i get a engine out of a 95 m3, what else would i need? would it be just a swap in swap out? im sure id have to replace other things, id just like to know what i would get myself into and see if it would really be worht the trouble...thanks!

Ivan · 05-10-2006, 04:26 AM

you could do like im gonna do and buy the entire donor car, that way you can get everything youll need and not have to worry about looking for individual parts. and when youre done you can part it out and sell the parts you dont need. but im doing a 4cyl to 6 cyl swap, i need a new radiator, transmission, mounts, etc. youre doing a 6 to 6 swap so you might be able to do it alot easier and with less parts not even need to buy a donor car. just my 2 cents.

e36surge · 05-10-2006, 07:53 AM

Well there are a few things you need to consider:

1) Will you pass any kind of inspection... will your car be DOT approved for street driving?
2) Your car is OBD1, will your donor be OBD1 as well? Is it legal to go from OBD1 to OBD2 in your state or country?

Don't forget that if you do go through with this be prepared to not have your car for a long time. Get the whole donor car, it'll be cheaper that way.

I did an engine swap two years ago on my trail Jeep. What started out as a $1000.00 idea ended up costing $5000.00.

MiguelACA · 05-10-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e36surge

Well there are a few things you need to consider:

1) Will you pass any kind of inspection... will your car be DOT approved for street driving?
2) Your car is OBD1, will your donor be OBD1 as well? Is it legal to go from OBD1 to OBD2 in your state or country?

Don't forget that if you do go through with this be prepared to not have your car for a long time. Get the whole donor car, it'll be cheaper that way.

I did an engine swap two years ago on my trail Jeep. What started out as a $1000.00 idea ended up costing $5000.00.

1) lol, nah no inspection, doesnt matter if its DOT approved
2) i believe it is OBD1, and yes, the donor would be OBD2

i want to get a donor car, but space is limited at home, theres no place to put it, so id like to get and idea of what i would need, so that i can stockpile them and get them all ina truck when its time to do the swap

Furious · 05-10-2006, 01:58 PM

do search for my engine swap i did the same swap, S50 into a 325

buuhh99 · 05-10-2006, 02:02 PM

if it is an s50 it is an obd1 s52= ob2

Furious · 05-10-2006, 02:06 PM

its a direct fit, you just need the motor, and DME really.

RexKing86 · 05-10-2006, 02:20 PM

It would probably be easier to get a '95 M3 engine since its OBD1 along with your car. IF you get a 96+, it will be OBDII and is also 3.2L (95 is 3.0L). IVe never done a swap so idk for sure, but its something to keep in mind.

BTW Miguel- that crash of your 318 seems to be working out pretty well for you... the upgrade to a 325 from a 318 is a significant power difference... and now you may become ///MPowered! Damn man, Id say your addicted to speed now! Good Luck!

saltshaker185 · 05-10-2006, 03:03 PM

id go with the s50 if you are planning on moding up the engine any more... obd1 is alot more flexible and not as sensitive as obd2 so you wont have to worry about technical stuff as much... or you can go the route i did and go s52 then convert it to obd1...

97alpineM3 · 05-10-2006, 03:04 PM

Saltshaker... you have a obd1 S52?

Les

saltshaker185 · 05-10-2006, 03:29 PM

yep

http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/s...egory_Code=CKE

check it out...

97alpineM3 · 05-10-2006, 03:31 PM

Yes I know of this kit... But your saying you have a American E36 M3 OBDII built engine in your E36 with the above OBD swap.

?

Les

saltshaker185 · 05-10-2006, 03:44 PM

no, sorry about the confusion, i didnt buy the kit,i was just saying thats an easy way to get it done quicky... i did a diy conversion with my cusin... the engine is supossedly obd1 since i used all of the m50 intake hardware, and he rigged up some software that he says matches obd 1... i say its obd 1, but i dono... what do u all think obd1? or still obd 2?

97alpineM3 · 05-10-2006, 03:45 PM

Ok... so you have an OBD II S52 engine... and your trying to put that into your OBD I E36... with a DIY conversion...

Interesting.

Les

saltshaker185 · 05-10-2006, 03:47 PM

haha yeah... does that make since? sorry about the confusion... im pretty sure the stuff i did was the biggest difference in obd 2 and obd 1... not possitive thuogh... i might call up zion and see what all thier kit intails... so what do you think les, still obd 2?