Seeking - advice from the experts

[daves-ti]

hey guys - I have a '96 ti that I took home (to Boston) from Fort Myers, I'm looking into putting a 35k miles / 3.2 Z3 motor into the car, wondering if I'm on the right track, if it's possible like I think it is, and what advice I might heed for the process. I'm using a local mechanic, but I guess I'm just wondering if there are any details I / we should be aware of in terms of compatibility and fitment. Thanks..!

[cooljess76]

There's plenty of info on this forum. You may consider contacting member "J!m". He sells a swap manual which goes into detail on what is necessary.

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17308

[Uber E30]

Are you talking about an s52 or an s54?

[daves-ti]

Thanks cooljess - i'll look into that. And Uber, not sure. I asked but the place selling it didn't know. It's out of a '98 Z3, all the guy knew was it is a 3.2 6cyl.

[jca]

I think it is an S52 engine rated at 240 horsepower.

[daves-ti]

Originally Posted by jca

I think it is an S52 engine rated at 240 horsepower.

I think your right jca.. Wikipedia says the same thing, so it MUST be true..!

I sent a message to J!M to see about his manual.. I hope this works, should be a fun car with that kind of power..!

[Uber E30]

Should be pretty easy if you get the full engine/harness/dme/cluster. Essentially you're just unhooking the tranny from the engine, coolant system, engine mounts and then moving it over to your car. You will need to figure out midpipes/exhaust, have the EWS realligned, and install the cluster from the z3 and off you go making m3s wish they were a few hundred pounds lighter.

[daves-ti]

Good info über thanks! I didn't realize I'd also need the cluster from the z3, you're talking about all the dash gauges? I'm guessing because it's an e36 they'll all fit in my dash cluster-window somehow? I'll check to see that I can also get the wiring harness with the motor. If not can I find that elsewhere aftermarket?

Two questions: What's a dme? And I read I need the dealer for something being an obd-II motor?

Thanks again for everyone's time and help!

[Uber E30]

Actually im not 100% sure that the cluster from a z3 will fit, hopefully someone else can confirm about z3 cluster fitment, although I think they do. However you will at least need a cluster from a 6 cyl. The reason being is that you're going from a 4cyl to a 6 cyl, the tach doesn't read correctly.

Wiring harness shouldnt be a big deal if its not included in the sale, you can find them on BFC for like $100, just easier if its already attached to the engine.

The DME is the computer that controls the engine, and thats actually what needs to be reprogrammed by BMW. The DME controls EWS which is an anti theft system. Basically your car wont start unless the key the DME is programmed for is what starts the car. Since you wont be using the z3 keys, you will have to get the car towed to BMW to have the EWS realigned. You could also opt to send the DME off to a tuner who can remove EWS and skip that step with BMW, but also lose the security feature.

[cooljess76]

Z3 clusters have the same fitment as standard e36 coupes, sedans, verts and compacts. All that matters is that it's 6cyl OBDII. Engine harness needs to be specifically for your engine/transmission configuration. I think the Z3 harness may be slightly different than the e36 M3 harness, but J!m's swap manual will clarify any differences. You're probably better off using an e36 M3 harness from the same year(assuming it's an S52) but I'm sure the Z3 harness will work. As long as you get the DME(engine computer), EWS module(behind the glove compartment) and EWS transponder chip(inside the key) from the same vehicle, you won't need to have the EWS aligned by the dealer.

[Uber E30]

Will he need the EWS ring antenna as well if he goes that route or are they just generic?

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by Uber E30

Will he need the EWS ring antenna as well if he goes that route or are they just generic?

Great question, you'd be surprised how many people screw that up. As long as he doesn't swap the EWS antenna transmitter in the drivers side legwell, he won't need to swap the antenna ring around the ignition switch. Don't touch either of those things, keep the originals that came with the car! I try to get people to think of it as two separate systems even though they're directly related. The antenna ring is coded to the EWS transmitter under the dash in the drivers side legwell. Then the DME, EWS transponder chip inside of the key and the EWS module behind the glove compartment are all coded together. So one part of the system has two components that are coded together and the other part of the system has three components that are coded together. Since swapping the engine requires swapping the DME, you'll need the matching transponder chip out of the key and the matching EWS module behind the glove compartment. That's all. You retain the original antenna ring around the ignition switch and the original EWS transmitter in the legwell. There's no need to touch those two things. They're not matched to the other three components. Sorry for being overly descriptive, but a lot of people mess this up. Hope this clarifies things

[daves-ti]

holy cow.

[cooljess76]

BTW Dave, unless the car is an M Z3 coupe or M Z3 roadster, it has a 2.8L M52. If it is an M, it'll have a 3.2L S52. The best way to tell is to look at the back of the engine. On the cylinder head, you'll see a VIN tag. If it starts with "WBA", it's not an M, therefore it's more than likely a 2.8L M52. If it starts with "WBS", it is an M, therefore it's a 3.2L S52. There's about a 50hp difference, so make sure you're getting what you're paying for. Also, the VIN on the back of the engine should be the same as the VIN on the car. If the guy claims a suspiciously low mileage, you may want to run a carfax just to make sure he's not ripping you off.

[daves-ti]

Sounds like I need someone to take my car, fix it, and give it back to me with an invoice and full tank of gas. ha..!

I'm definitely not a mechanic (I'm a photographer) - I have NO clue what all those letters and codes and rings and transmitters and whatever else are that you guys are talking about..! haha..!

I'm a pretty handy and capable guy, but I know I can't pull an engine out of a car and re-install another one. I approached my mechanic today and he said "whoa, that's a big job, there's a lot that goes into swapping an engine like that. The cost will probably be double what you expect it to be after it's all over. ". Sounds like he's not interested, he now wants to sell me his '98 CLK430 with 140K. Don't think I'm going to go that route though considering a headlight bulb is $130 for that car.

Do any of you guys know a mechanic in the Boston / CT area who can do something like this..?