FYI - some N52 oil pan research

[DesertBMW]

I was seriously looking into doing N52 swap into E30 and this is what I found out about it:

1. US N52 engines only came in two years 06 and 07 with different variants like N52K...etc. This means even if the engine goes down in price it may not be that popular when compared to s54 and M54 that was made from 01 to 06.

2. US N52 variants only came in low compression only 10.7:1, this means that you are limited to 240hp max. Euro versions came with more compression and those engines make significantly more power.

3. brutally expensive water pump and thermostat housing, and waterpumps are know to just quit and DME will kill the engine and not let you start if there is a fault with wp.

4. As far as I could find out the bell housing pattern is the same but flywheel bolt pattern is different, that means you will have to find E90 6 speed transmission with flywheel and a clutch.

5. Engine management MSV70 may not be that problematic because it is a 16bit version of mss54 ecu variants, but as of now I don't see it being popular DME to code. Most enthusiasts are focusing on newer MSV80 of the turbo engines, that I think would be much more supported in aftermarket tuning in the future.

6. Manufacturing mounting arms and moding the cross member for this engine to fit won't be a problem with some $600 of investment probably can be done.

With S54 and M54b30 engines just getting cheaper I don't see N52 as something practical and worth doing. your E30 would always retain value if you got S54 engine in it. Even E90 guys are getting into ditching their N52 and installing S54.

[jntar]

I was seriously looking into doing N52 swap into E30 and this is what I found out about it:

1. US N52 engines only came in two years 06 and 07 with different variants like N52K...etc. This means even if the engine goes down in price it may not be that popular when compared to s54 and M54 that was made from 01 to 06.

No, the n52 was used all the way up in the 328 e9x/e60 series until the n20 4cly turbo was brought into production in the F series model code. 6+ years

2. US N52 variants only came in low compression only 10.7:1, this means that you are limited to 240hp max. Euro versions came with more compression and those engines make significantly more power.

Euro motors (n53) came without valvetronic and has direct injection. They were also aluminum block. Thus could make more power and tuned to make more power. US: Again there is a ULEV motor with 10.7:1 and they make 255hp in the 330 configuration. My 325 e90 has been converted to the 330 manifold and tuned. I make around 220whp in an auto which is roughly 280 crank hp. There is an SULEV version witch is lower compression, and harder to make power. If the swap is going to happen, I suggest staying away from that version. Any n52 can be converted to the 255hp version simply with a manifold conversion and DME tune.

3. brutally expensive water pump and thermostat housing, and waterpumps are know to just quit and DME will kill the engine and not let you start if there is a fault with wp.

They last about 100k. Mine has had no issues at 85k. They are around $400 for the pump/thermo package. The new version of the water pump has been shown to last much longer.

4. As far as I could find out the bell housing pattern is the same but flywheel bolt pattern is different, that means you will have to find E90 6 speed transmission with flywheel and a clutch.

Probably true. I havent researched this.

5. Engine management MSV70 may not be that problematic because it is a 16bit version of mss54 ecu variants, but as of now I don't see it being popular DME to code. Most enthusiasts are focusing on newer MSV80 of the turbo engines, that I think would be much more supported in aftermarket tuning in the future.

The '06 325/330 came with the MSV70 but the '07+ 328i with the n52 came with the MSV80 DME.

6. Manufacturing mounting arms and moding the cross member for this engine to fit won't be a problem with some $600 of investment probably can be done.

With S54 and M54b30 engines just getting cheaper I don't see N52 as something practical and worth doing. your E30 would always retain value if you got S54 engine in it. Even E90 guys are getting into ditching their N52 and installing S54.

This is not true. Maybe one person has/did this. There are many, many n52 powered race cars. They are light, reliable and make good power.

...If anyone has more questions about the n52 let me know. I'm fairly knowledgeable about them.

[TheSt|G]

Bit of a necro bump, but as the owner of one of the most modded N52s out there(possibly the most modded street legal N52 in the US) I thought I'd make myself available to answer any questions you might have.

Currently on:
DISA manifold retrofit(high compression US spec N52s from the 328i/128i get no DISA)
Supersprint headers
EVOLVE tune
BMW Performance Euro intake
Euro airbox
Supersprint muffler

Frankly, the last 3 don't do much at all, but it completed the package. Headers, DISA manifold, and a tune to tie them together make serious power(~300 crank).

[thebutterson]

Has anyone come out with a tune that will allow this engine to be swapped?

[TheSt|G]

Has anyone come out with a tune that will allow this engine to be swapped?

For a standalone?

[thebutterson]

No, I was talking about the stock ECU. I know the S54 swap has come a long way in the last few years thanks to people figuring out how to disable the features in the ECU that cause problems when swapped into earlier cars and was hoping there had been some progress with the N52. I'm really interested in swapping this engine, but I think it should all just wait until the stock ECU can be used.

[TheSt|G]

No, I was talking about the stock ECU. I know the S54 swap has come a long way in the last few years thanks to people figuring out how to disable the features in the ECU that cause problems when swapped into earlier cars and was hoping there had been some progress with the N52. I'm really interested in swapping this engine, but I think it should all just wait until the stock ECU can be used.

Probably yes, there is open source tuning now for the car.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=873667

What Polar and others have done for the world of S54 tuning is nothing short of remarkable. And on a professional level, what Evolve delivers(especially compared to tunes circa 2001, when you were lucky to not lose power).

[DesertBMW]

Bit of a necro bump, but as the owner of one of the most modded N52s out there

Frankly, the last 3 don't do much at all, but it completed the package. Headers, DISA manifold, and a tune to tie them together make serious power(~300 crank).

I don't believe you. Soon as the poster comes here and claims to have the most modded N52 out there, the credibility goes out the window. Not to mention 300 crank is BS.

Sir you don't know much about N52 at all. How can you answer the questions when you never attempted to swap N52 engine into anything else? You don't know what may be involved here. You got E90 with factory fitted N52 and now you know it all.

[TheSt|G]

I don't believe you. Soon as the poster comes here and claims to have the most modded N52 out there, the credibility goes out the window. Not to mention 300 crank is BS.

Sir you don't know much about N52 at all. How can you answer the questions when you never attempted to swap N52 engine into anything else? You don't know what may be involved here. You got E90 with factory fitted N52 and now you know it all.

Aren't you a dick?

I came here to offer my knowledge on what mods work, what don't, and in depth knowledge on the engine itself. I never claimed to be an expert on swapping, nor am I. I also don't own an E90.

As far as the most modded street N52 out there, its not a boast, I just haven't seen anyone else with a similar setup. I also pioneered a fair bit of it for the 1 series, so I know where the playing field is. At this point people are catching up for sure.

And no, 300 crank isn't BS. Plenty of people out there currently with 280hp with worse mods. Stock highest spec is 272. Supersprint headers add 20hp. Evolve tune should have no problem making that last 8. No worries though, dynoing shortly.

[totheredline]

I don't believe you. Soon as the poster comes here and claims to have the most modded N52 out there, the credibility goes out the window. Not to mention 300 crank is BS.

Sir you don't know much about N52 at all. How can you answer the questions when you never attempted to swap N52 engine into anything else? You don't know what may be involved here. You got E90 with factory fitted N52 and now you know it all.

I shouldnt get in the middle of this but..
you are being an ass...


I google searched 300hp N52 and there were plenty of results. There is no reason not the believe Stig. If he posts some dyno results, all the better.

[TheSt|G]

I shouldnt get in the middle of this but..
you are being an ass...


I google searched 300hp N52 and there were plenty of results. There is no reason not the believe Stig. If he posts some dyno results, all the better.

Soon on the dyno.

But having owned a number of other ~3000lb cars with 300hp, it feels pretty similar.

[totheredline]

^ Well my dad had a pretty modded 328i Touring with a 330 disa manifold, TMS chip and some other goodies I dont remeber. it dynoed in the high 270's low 280's

[TheSt|G]

^ Well my dad had a pretty modded 328i Touring with a 330 disa manifold, TMS chip and some other goodies I dont remeber. it dynoed in the high 270's low 280's

TMS is AA.

Tourings are always awesome. ;D

[jntar]

If Stig is who I think he is from e90post, he is making close to 300 crank.

There was a question about ecu and swapping. I'm fairly confident a competent tuner could easily get a haltech or motec unit to work as most of the e90 race cars run them. Problem is these units are well into the $5-8k range :(

[nando]

Im pretty sure the stock ecu is very doable. Ill get to it eventually.

Imo, 95% of the time standalone isnt going to be as good as the stock computer, and the cost will always be higher.