E30 M3 S54 Swap Complete! Lots of details..

[sandlock]

Yep, 20k is cheap when you look at what you're getting. Buying an e46m3 isn't the point of this exercise. Impressive work.

[M-technik-3]

So is this really a 20k swap? In the next few years you think it wil be ~10k?

20k you can buy an entire e46 m3...

If that is what you are looking for then there are plenty of them out there.

[87e30]

Yep, 20k is cheap when you look at what you're getting. Buying an e46m3 isn't the point of this exercise. Impressive work.

If that is what you are looking for then there are plenty of them out there.

You guys I realize this... but this means that you are throwing 20k at a toy. Which is awesome when you have that ability, but an e46 m3 holds value a bit differently. I was just surprised that this swap took 20k, but I see how beautiful this car is so I'm not doubting it. Just eye opening.

[Dozyproductions]

I can't believe that gaudy e46 won first place. It was nice seeing you Ryan and some Dyno numbers down the road would be great to see.


OT: How the hell do I see the grand master Criv himself and not Danny at B fest?

[Danny]

Weird right? I actually didn't see very many people. I tried though.

[Dj Syco]

time to turbo?

[M-technik-3]

You guys I realize this... but this means that you are throwing 20k at a toy. Which is awesome when you have that ability, but an e46 m3 holds value a bit differently. I was just surprised that this swap took 20k, but I see how beautiful this car is so I'm not doubting it. Just eye opening.

Yes, I know that but as you mention it if you can afford it and want to life like a rock star so be it.

[M3 Ryan]

time to turbo?

Boost may be in this motors future... It's fun for a while and I'm all spent for my toy budget this year...
To answer a few questions, NO, this didn't cost me $20k. I did nearly everything in-house so it saved a ton of money. This swap is widely talked about and hardly ever completed... I farmed out the subframe and the exhaust assembly.
There are plenty of people "doing" it but I have only seen a handful of cars actually running and driving down the street. This was the ONLY ONE I saw at Bimmerfest, that says a lot....

Over $10k but under $20k, that's all I'm gonna say.

[JeST]

Absolutely beautiful. Favorite body with my favorite motor. Morr wheels?

[M3 Ryan]

Morr wheels?

VS7 19x8.5 and 19x9.5 I love them!

[e30polak]

You can't compare this swap to an e46 m3, as far as performance is concerned. Ryan's car should utterly destroy an e46 m3! It should be pulling on e92 m3s with the 320+ whp he should be at. :razz:

Also, Ryan's car has an extremely well sorted suspension, tire and brake set-up so it should out perform the E46 in EVERY category! :p

This swap is widely talked about and hardly ever completed... I farmed out the subframe and the exhaust assembly.
There are plenty of people "doing" it but I have only seen a handful of cars actually running and driving down the street. This was the ONLY ONE I saw at Bimmerfest, that says a lot....

It does say a lot. You finished yours in record time, with a system that no one was willing to try, and completed it by the date you promised! :woowoo:

On another note, there will be at least one more s54 e30 m3 by next year at Bimmerfest!

[rich4rdee]

what are your plans for the stroker?

[Il Duce]

This car has gone through so much over the years... Congrats on entering another phase! Each one has been awesome to witness.

[JeST]

VS7 19x8.5 and 19x9.5 I love them!

Had a set of those for a few months for my e46. Gotta say those are the most concaved zcp style wheels I've ever owned.

ps. Your car absolutely needs a photoshoot ASAP!

pps. I have dibs on the car when you wanna sell ;)

[e30polak]

It's ok many people don't realize how much work goes into a swap of this caliber. Ask anyone who claims it can be done drastically cheaper how many s54 swaps they've already done and have running. I can still count the all the professional BMW shops that have emissions compliant s54swaps running, on my fingers. It's a long way from happening in most home garages just yet.
Anyone who's completed a beautifully orchestrated swap like Ryan's is either a meticulous BMW technician themselves, or hired one to do the work for them.

In all reality this swap isn't THAT much more difficult then your average 24V swap, depending on what you want out of it/how you go about it.

Since you can now go with a few different routes for engine management, the rest is simply choosing the right parts.

ECU/wiring options:
Bimmerworld, Alex Lipowich, Specialist Components, or reprogramming the factory DME

Fitment of the motor:
* With the factory intake plenum, you can use a Geo Metro booster

* With any form of CSL style airbox, you will more than likely have to go with manual brakes.

* Run either an e34 front sump oil pan with a VAC baffle kit, or modify the front subframe to allow for the use of the dual sump pan.

* For header clearance, you run the Treehouse CABs, space down/relocate the front sway bar, and massage the passenger side firewall

* Either a mechanical throttle conversion or drive-by-wire will be needed.

Other than that, it's not that much different from the usual 24v swap. ;)

Any competent shop, with the ability to fabricate should be able to pull this off. Hell this can be done in a driveway as well. :razz: