E46 M3 engine/trans Swap?

[LuckyHenriksen]

So is it possible (without too much fabricating) to swap in the S52 and 6 speed from an E46 M into an E30?
I have been searching around, and it appears that everyone is swapping the E36 S52. Any thoughts?

[khnordeen]

Do you mean S54?

[BimmerTim]

*facepalm*

[LuckyHenriksen]

Yea thats what I mean....... So I am guessing that people don't do it?

[LuckyHenriksen]

This bad mother

[plmichal]

No idea what you just said but....

S54 = E46 M3
S52 = E36 M3

Now search...?

[plmichal]

Ohhh that would be the S54. Not a common swap but more people are doing it as time goes. I'm sure there is a good amount of info.

[FredK]

Errrr her her her sure I don't know what the hell they call them. Mike Burroughs E36 with the swap says it is an S52....... So I am guessing that people don't do it?

No, that car has an S54, the same engine pictured above.

People have swapped it into the E30. There isn't that much fabrication involved, except to have something done to install a brake master cylinder (not enough room with many boosters), to hook up a fueling system (higher fuel pressure required), to hook up a custom exhaust (would have to do this for an M/S5x anyway), and to do something about the electronics integration (the ECU).

[LuckyHenriksen]

Ohhhkay thank you everyone for clearing that up. I learn something new each day :) I just wanted to check before trying to get that wrecked M

Again, thank you

[MR.LUGO]

$$$

[etxxz]

mechanically the swap is almost identical to the "e36 s52".

80% of your research will be on the electrical side. It will also account for like %40 of the cost right now... that's why its not so popular round these areas. For that power, people choose the s50b32 (aka "euro e36 s52" lol) which has the same HP rating, or boost e36 motors and ends up costing about the same or cheaper.

Some people around here have stuck in their heads "i want an s54 no matter what at all costs". Think multi-dimensionally, there's a lot of choices of getting good $/hp.. and they usually don't involve bmw motors, but if i talk too much i'll get shot by a fellow r3ver.

[MR E30 325is]

Some people around here have stuck in their heads "i want an s54 no matter what at all costs". Think multi-dimensionally, there's a lot of choices of getting good $/hp.. and they usually don't involve bmw motors, but if i talk too much i'll get shot by a fellow r3ver.

Exactly, dont put those demonic ideas of RB26's inside of E30's into this mans head.

LS1's are no good either!

*Preps gun*

[hey808]

Some people around here have stuck in their heads "i want an s54 no matter what at all costs". Think multi-dimensionally, there's a lot of choices of getting good $/hp.. and they usually don't involve bmw motors, but if i talk too much i'll get shot by a fellow r3ver.

By careful, zee Nazis are coming...:hitler:
Personally I wouldn't mind dropping the SR20DET I have in my garage that puts down about 330-340whp into an E30. You can also do an M54 from an E46 330i, but that swap is pretty involved with the electronics as well. There are some interesting threads on this swap if you search.

[LuckyHenriksen]

I still think an LS motor in an E30 would be schweet :D

Thanks for the heads up on motor choices. I realize that anything can be done for a price haha. I personally think any engine swap is pretty cool, just for the effort put into it.

[ChaseN]

You can also do an M54 from an E46 330i, but that swap is pretty involved with the electronics as well. There are some interesting threads on this swap if you search.

Actually, thanks to hoveringuy's research & product development, it really isn't any more than any other OBD1 conversion. Just his (cheap IMO) dual VANOS controller + a M44 VR sensor and BAM! you've got it.