Ease of a S54 swap

[austinpeif]

I want to do a M3 swap into my 318ti, and i have all the parts necessary except the engine. i want at least 300hp in the end, and stock reliability. i was looking at a euro S50 3.2, but i have noticed on ebay that s54 engines sell for less and have more hp, and claim to swap into e30/e36. Do they swap in as easy as a S52? What extra parts over a regular S52 would i need to do the S54 swap? I did a search for any related threads and saw none, so if someone can explain this to me or send me a link, Id greatly appreciate it

austin

[Mallard]

s54 (E46M3 engine) will probably need custom mounts, a smaller brake vacuum and the ews/ecu and full loom

the acs+t may cause a problem

[mohaughn]

It would probably be cheaper to get an M52 and get one of the OBDII to OBDI conversion kits with full cams, tuning etc... You could do that for about 4500$ plus labor to install the parts.

You will have a basically refurbished motor, the horsepower range you are looking for, and it will be close in price to a nice S54 or Euro s52.

[windnsea00]

There is some guy selling an S54 E36 on bimmerforums, I would imagine the physical swap itself is straightforward like the E36 6 cylinder engines however electronics are another story in its own. You would probably have to run a custom computer like Piggyback or what not.

Another option is an S52 and the Sunbelt cam package (on Bimmerworld.com) for $2.5-$3k which will put you at ~310hp.

[Mallard]

no need for a piggyback unless hes planning on changing the intake system (throttle bodies on an injetion manifold) and seing as the motor would be going in complete its just a straight forward swap.. ish

Another option is an S52 and the Sunbelt cam package (on Bimmerworld.com) for $2.5-$3k which will put you at ~310hp

s52b32 Euro Evo engine(321hp) should have that power straight from the factory Minimum!

[HuGo]

DO IT!!

[Panzer_M]

www.Bimmerworld.com

Engines. Look at

S50B30, S50B32 and M5 Sixxer(340hp IIRC)

all three would be easier to hookup than the S54..which is too electronical for my taste. If you want to drop the green a S50B32 3XXhp engine would be all you need in a Ti.

[Panzer_M]

just remember if you build up one end you go to build up the other.

also for the money your looking..you could have a 2.1 or 2.3L built from a M4X motor and start with a fresh 0mi longblock. Then go for boost, ITB, whatever. and keep the balance of the car as the engineers intended.

Options abound..just do your research before you jump into a project. And Don't listen to just one person, take the best info from everyone and use that in your choice. But overall have fun and do what will be enjoyable for you. Cause in the end that's what really matter when it comes to your car.

[windnsea00]

Originally Posted by Mallard

no need for a piggyback unless hes planning on changing the intake system (throttle bodies on an injetion manifold) and seing as the motor would be going in complete its just a straight forward swap.. ish




s52b32 Euro Evo engine(321hp) should have that power straight from the factory Minimum!

The euro engine's are typically $6k+ and not to mention much more expensive to maintain.

[mohaughn]

Even the US S52 engines cost to much. Every know and then you can find a good deal, but you can find 2.8l engines all day long at just around $1k.

Throw in an overhaul and some performance parts and that cheap M52 will run harder than a used high mileage S52 for the same price. I think to many people get caught up on using an "M" engine.

[316i compact]

sorry to say it, but the US M3 E36 engine is not a real M engine!

[HuGo]

Originally Posted by 316i compact

sorry to say it, but the US M3 E36 engine is not a real M engine!

of coarse its real. If i can see it, and i can touch, how is that not real?

[Mallard]

its an "enhansed" m50 engine. different rods and pistond, different cam

but essentially the same block and head (afaik) as the standard

the s50/s52 is a true motorsport engine, and also ALOT more expensive to maintain

[Dan I]

S54 engine/trans/diff packages show up on ebay every now and then. They usually fetch $15k. That's a lot of dimp.

[windnsea00]

Originally Posted by 316i compact

sorry to say it, but the US M3 E36 engine is not a real M engine!

Yea we know that haha (well most of us). However it has still proven to be a great engine in terms of reliability and using forced induction. Also aggressive cam packages will put it right near the Euro power.