m52 swap into 318ti auto
 

I honestly am trying to make a big decision i can get an auto 318 ti for $250 and was looking into swapping a m52 motor and honestly have no idea on how about's doing it. If someone could please help with a parts list and tips and suggestions also if its even worth doing it, i would really appreciate it. Someone help my no knowledge ass

Welcome! You should look at the bigger picture of what you plan to use the car for. Street, autox, daily, etc then you can start to go over costs associated with such a project.

A $250 e36 is most likely going to need everything replaced that's a wear item and some parts that are not. It's pointless to swap a motor into a beat chassis as you'll never get the end result you really want.

For the swap what parts list are you looking for? The auto to manual transmission swap or the engine swap? Both of them are doable for a beginner I would say but take time to research and plan. Also for both there are full write ups on multiple BMW forums and a few people have made complete tutorials on Youtube. Do some searching online and read the threads on here, BFC, etc.

im wanting it to be a Drift project car and the 318ti is automatic now so i wanna know what i need in total to swap the m52 motor into the 318ti. Like what is the best transmission to use, do i need to swap the rear end or do anything with the suspension. Also the automatic 318ti doesnt have a key so with motor swap what would be the best way to get around that. Thank you for the quick reply

the 318ti has a blown headgasket and people have told me the 4 cylinder has terrible power so was looking into the m52 swap

if there is a manual out there i need it asap

To build a drift car you will need supporting modifications in the form of drivetrain, suspension and brakes. It is much more than just swapping a motor into a car then beating on it.

Are you going to be refreshing the M52 while it’s out? You should at bare minimum do the gaskets, water pump, thermostat and housing.

The cooling system will also need to be brought over from the 6 and I recommend that it’s new as well given the intended application.

You will either need the key for the car or swap out the mechanism as a whole. Are you going OBD1 or 2?

There are many DIY guides for what you are asking. Google these things and they will be found online and on YouTube.


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Don't do it. It's going to be too expensive of a project to beat on like that. I say swap it and enjoy it on the street. Take care of it.

I think of all the Tis and E30s we've lost to amateur drifting/ racing and it makes me sad. I like to call my M52 swap my street beast. She's getting restored, not beat on.

To do properly yes, it’ll be expensive. You need power to drift and the m52 doesn’t have it unless you boost it.

For your second point the e36 platform has become disposable it seems. One on hand I like to see more people enjoying these cars and creating a larger aftermarket, but a lot of them start out with a goal and it’s never achieved and the car gets scrapped. A proper race car that’s built for a specific purpose I love to see beat on and used. Like the e36 compacts that are used in rally’s.


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I have an M52 with M50 manifold and a JB aluminum flywheel with M3 clutch. Don't sell the M52 short. :wink:

As for the second point, hey, as long as I got a nice Ti I'm fine. Mines the only one that matters to me. :tongue:

I had a semi built 2.8 M50 and it was a peppy little motor. But for a drift car one is going to need torque and that’s only provided by displacement or boost. Our cars were fast in the day but I’m pretty sure I’ll get walked by the new V6 Camry. New cars today are crazy imo.


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...and so, so, so boring. :biggrin: