6-series engine swap

[icntspl]

hello all, first post for me

i have for a long time been in LOVE with the 6 series body style of the late 80's. i was really just wondering if anybody had ever swapped in a new m3 or m5 engine into one. i think it would be badass to have the 333 hp engine with a six-speed in there. also, does this body style have good/neutral handling characteristics? i drive a 2600 lb 240sx that handles great but wonderful bmw engineering shouldnt steer that bad. anyways, thanks for any replies i get.

peace, jesse

[gbf1lm]

me too. I JSUT LOVE THE E24. also the m6, had a 350ish hp inline 6. it was the same as the 80's to early 90s m5. the only problem is that m6 is uber rare. 1500 were made. if i didnt have my car as ahand me down form my dad, and i had to buy 1, i would definetly go for the 6. ud be better of turbo-ing teh 3.5L in the 635csi which was almost an M.

[icntspl]

if i were to turbo the 3.5 L engine, i have a lot more to worry about than starting with a fresh, current model engine. the age of the engine would play a factor in how long the engine would last under an increase of power. i believe i could get the power i wanted with a naturally aspirated m3 engine and if not, its easier to find someone who knows how to turbocharge it rather the older one, i suppose. but i dont know how BMW electronics and such would limit me swapping in a new engine. if it is like most other cars i will have to switch out the wiring harness (a BITCH on a luxury car) and what the hell will i do about the ECU? im sure the engine itself will fit but what about the mounts? trannie? driveshaft? anything bolt into the rear end without custom work? I really just want to know if it is possible, not likely it will happen, just interested

[Turbo'd big six]

Anything can be done with enough time and money. No one has dropped a late M3 engine in a six series as of yet. Turbo charging the M30 engine is the best way to go. As for the strength of the parts, the differential, 265 transmission, driveshaft, and most of the engine are stock in a car that makes 800 hp at the crank. BMW has always overbuilt drivetrain items which is why you commonly see 400k mile bmws still running. As for the new engine vs. old engine debate, think about this. BMW in the 70's heat cycled the 1.5 ltr f1 engine hundreds of time to give it strength. This is the same process that you do to your engine everytime you start and stop it. This cycle dramatically increases the strength of the metal and is then known as a seasoned block. That engine turbocharged produced 1300hp, strong indeed. I try to find old M30 engines for the same reason. The only way to produce reliable horsepower is with a standalone system(haltech, Mototec, etc). It is the key to building high horsepower as you can control and adjust every conceivable aspect of an engine. Sixes handle like a heavy sedan and are by no means on rails. That said with enough suspension mods they can be adequate, more of a high speed cruiser than a twisties car.

[Jmac572]

Just thought id add this link... it's a 1987 M6 and its is at $8300 right now with 114k

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2454700538&category=61 29

[icntspl]

thanks for the replies everyone, quite informative
edit: does anyone know of some good sites with 6-series performance parts like suspension and stuff? thanks

[KC Ron Carter]

Yep,

Big Coupe Garage, BCG, has a lot of e24 information.

http://normgrills.net/bcg/

Here is my 1985 tow mule.



Later,