Cost for 24v swap aside from the motor

[mcdougal]

I just picked up an 86 325i with a blown motor and plan to do a 24v swap of some sort. I've researched costs as much as I can and have seen estimates as low as $900 for a diy m50 to as much as $10k for an s50 installed by a shop.

My question is, aside from the motor (undecided on m50 for a few hundred bucks or an s50 for a couple thousand) and assuming I will use the stock e20 transmission, what should I expect to spend on the remaining parts? This is just for the swap-related parts; not the wiring which I might do myself or pay a member to make me a wiring harness, or engine tune-up parts (head gasket, water pump, etc which will be another $500 or so I think).

It seems like I should be able to get everything for under a grand if I buy used wherever possible. Is that crazy?

[justin_l_]

Why you plan on doing a head gasket? Yes 1k is possible but not likely when you start doing maintenance.

[mcdougal]

I only plan on doing a head gasket if it needs it. Just planning for the worst I suppose.

Is $1,500 to $2,000 about right for an s50 motor?

[Nick_S]

For a basic M50 swap with some maintenance and parts needed and doing it yourself, plan on $2k. I could be more, it could be less. I managed to do mine for around $1500 with quite a few new parts and lots of gaskets.

[dude8383]

Whatever your budget it is... multiply it by two. Happens all the time. If you think you can do all of the maintenance for less than $500... plan for $1000.

There's ton's of while you're in there stuff that really should be done before the engine goes into the car.

[mcdougal]

Thanks for the responses.

[mcdougal]

Whatever your budget it is... multiply it by two. Happens all the time. If you think you can do all of the maintenance for less than $500... plan for $1000.



There's ton's of while you're in there stuff that really should be done before the engine goes into the car.

Would you mind sharing what you believe are while you're in there must-haves?

[justin_l_]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=334261

This will give you an idea.

[dude8383]

Would you mind sharing what you believe are while you're in there must-haves?

Spark Plugs
A/C Belt
Main belt
Thermostat
Thermostat Housing
Coolant temp sensors
Water Pump
Upper Coolant Hose
Lower Coolant Hose
Oil filter
Guibo
Valve cover gasket set
Motor Mounts
Intake Boot
E34 Oil Pump Gasket
E34 Oil Pan Gasket
E34 Oilpan, pick up, pump, dipstick
Shifter rod joint
Delrin Shift Carrier Bushing
E34 throttle cable
Spider Hose
Idler Pulley
Clutch & Flywheel
rear main seal
Pilot Bearing
Vacuum Line ICV Connector
Vacuum line to ICV
Intake Manifold vacuum
Intake Manifold vacuum thinner line
O2 Sensor

This roughly comes out to $1400 based on a previous build.

If you're getting a ZF Gearbox:

5th gear lean fix for ZF gearbox
5th gear spring
Shifter Detent Pin (5th Gear)

The list in that link is far more comprehensive though.

[Nick_S]

I'll give a quick list some of what I replaced. I don't have a nice spreadsheet to share unfortunately.

These were all the gaskets I did:
-oil pan
-oil pick up
-valve cover
-intake manifold (6)
-throttle body
-rear main (need to do again)
-oil filter housing
-dipstick o-ring
-injector 0-rings
-trans input shaft
and a few other various ones

And some of the hardware I did. All new
-alternator
-waterpump
-clutch
-belt
-mounts
-intake boot
-various vac hoses
-E34 pan
-G240 euro linkage
-CSB
-radiator hoses

Add to that all your fluids, the cost of the engine, wiring, DME and other various things and I was at around $1500 and I would consider mine pretty basic compared to others, but this got me a well running, decently clean swap.

[mcdougal]

Thanks dude and nick!

[mcdougal]

Found an M50 at a local yard for $400 that I'm going to pick up. I'd prefer an S50 but for $400 it seems like a good start.

Question: I know the M50 manifold is a common upgrade for the S motors. If I'm buying an M motor there isn't any reason to upgrade the manifold is there? Thinking I'll throw some cams in there at some point to spice it up a bit.

[dude8383]

The M50 intake manifold is used on the M52/S52 motors because they had a narrower manifold design.

[mcdougal]

Ok so if I get an m50 then the intake mani would be w worthwhile upgrade right?

[justin_l_]

It should have an m50 manifold on it. That is what it comes with from factory. Not an upgrade when installing a factory part.