'95 318ti OBD I to S52 OBD II... Questions?
 

How much more difficult does the OBD I to OBD II engine swap make? Any advice here?

I've got a 1995 318ti w/ 62k and am looking to swap in a '97 S52, I'm open to other options, just need more power. Any advice would be helpful!

Thanks

Great swap! My advice is Do it!


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Are you saying that you already have access to the '97 S52?

Yes I do. Or I could order the s50.

Got it. So your question is which would be more challenging, S50 or S52, right? Such low miles! I bet you could get some extra $$ from the parts.

Since it sounds like your still in the early stages, how about a wrecked Z3 for a donor? Not an S engine but it does use the aluminum block (2.8); Not a super power but definitely more power... Then you could get the trans and LSD with the deal. Maybe even some suspension upgrades...

Just throwing that out there. I don't have experience with the S swap but having swapped a few cars (non-BMW) it's really just about the small details. My other project is a '73 Vega GT. That's a whole different ball game since most of what I've done for that car I had to custom fabricate myself. With what I've experienced since getting my ti, there is way more support for parts out there.

I know one of the small issues to work out is the shifter setup. I guess that does bring up thel need to get a comparable S transmission too. Not speaking from personal experience with BMW but it's VERY likely that the S will make ice cream of the stock ti trans.

You probably already know all this so sorry if I'm tossing out information that you've already got a handle on.

Best of luck! OK, now someone with more experience can take it from here! LOL

Do you have this Z3? If so, where are you from?

Shoot, sorry dude, I was just throwing out an idea for you. I have a z3 swap in my TI.

Yeah I'll need a different diff. and a few other components to do the s50 swap. Will be a nice ride afterwards. Then plan to turbo it down the road!

If you plan to do turbo I have heard the 2.8 is best. Thick walls and when you lower the compression you can fill it up with boost.


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hmmm, didn't consider that. Wanted the M engine but am open to other ideas.

Only difference for M engine is the cams. Changing those for turbo anyway. My Schrick's were nearing 800$ so don't waste money. I'm actually looking around here to get a 2.8 and prep it to swap out my S52 and add boost.


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This isn't true. Cams, Bore size, and crankshaft are all different between a M5x and S5x motors. (The M cars motors are S5x's, the 325i for examples had M5x's)

Its relatively easy and plug and play for the best part of it, everything lines up including the gearbox from a s5x just make sure you get the linkage as well. You will need 6 pot clocks for the tach to read right. From it being a 95 I think you might have a problem with the abs light but bmw do a fix for that it's just a bit of cable to go between the plugs behind the cluster. Easy job it is and you need the front part of the prop shaft as well as its shorter

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I figure since we are just brainstorming here, I'll continue to pollute your thread a bit. (sorry in advance) How about a remote turbo (like rear-mounted)?

One of the things I like about the Z3 swap was the lighter weight block for the front. Helps simplify distribution when reducing weight too. We're already challenged on this front anyway:

51.4/48.6 (manual)
51.9/48.1 (automatic)

Not bad! but that's with the M44 (102kg/225lbs. depending on who you ask…lol)

It can get pretty tricky when the only places you've got to reduce weight are behind the front wheels. Starts eating into aspirations for 50/50 pretty quick. At least, with the aluminum m52b28 (z3 only for us US, so sad; at 118kg/260lbs. again based on bimmerforum) leaving you with a bit less to deal with up front (≈16kb/35lbs.); Although it's fair to also say that the m44 is neatly placed back where it should be and we've got to hang a bit more out over the front with the M5x's engines;

Practically speaking, that 35lbs. may actually be more like 50lbs. or something; Probably adding yaw too; BUT since we're just writing words and not cutting anything right now, 35lbs. sure sounds manageable! and a lot more fun if you're fantasizing. LOL.

SO add that with a turbo that's spread out a bit (weight-wise) and it would help keep the weight distributed... Don't get me wrong, remote turbo setup is not uncomplicated with needing to plump back-forth and resolve the oiling thing, either with a oilless turbo $$$$$$, or some sort of remote oiling system. I only bring it up because weight reduction on our ti cars get's our numbers so far down! It's sorta fun working on getting an e36 down around 2500lbs.(1134 kg). So cool. Might be fun… just thinking (writing) out-loud.

Nothing quite like snail juice. mmmmmm. Having just come off a turbo project though, I'm eager to work on the NA stuff for a while myself but I figured it couldn't hurt to toss out some ideas... Thanks for being patient with me, tiEM. If I don't write this stuff down to get it out of my system, I'll be off on some new damn project.

-Nic 328ti (z3 swap)

I was commenting on the head. Bottom end is shorter and thicker cylinders which in my experience is better for running boost. Valve size and ports are same.


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