peicing together an S54?

[nrubenstein]

Outside of track use, the block is going to be more durable than the ancillaries. High mile valve train is not a good option.

Basically, you would be building from the wrong direction this way.

[nando]

I agree, which is why I'm going to stick to my original plan. I've seen plenty of good, low miles motors sell for $3000 or so, it's just a matter of waiting for the right one.

[DesertBMW]

I agree, which is why I'm going to stick to my original plan. I've seen plenty of good, low miles motors sell for $3000 or so, it's just a matter of waiting for the right one.

It is always a risk. People who sell these engines on ebay, don't know much about the history, all they see is the mileage in the cluster and assume it is all fine because they bought the car wrecked from the insurance. They sell the ECU seperate so thats another $300 minimum, plus other parts that they brake pulling the engine out. Then you got to send that ecu to get reflashed, thats another $300, plus swap parts. You are looking at $5k the cheapest way.

Best way would be to buy the wrecked M3 from the auctions, then sell the parts that you don't need, in the end it will come out cheaper.

[nando]

I wouldn't buy just any random motor. it'd have to come with some sort of warranty. also you can get the VIN and do a dealer history search to find out how well it was taken care of. There's also more sources than just ebay.

$300 to flash MSS54? by who? did you mean $1300? I already have two DMEs and a ton of other little parts. you can get them cheap if you look and wait.

I don't have time to dismantle a car. It might be cheaper, yes, but I've parted out cars before. Not going to happen.

[ForcedFirebird]

You can get a flash for less, depends on who you know. Check out EPIC Motorsports, they are local to me.

I just found an s54 with bad cylinder walls. Completely build race motor, over bored, CP pistons, all kinds of goodies for $750. The block is done since it can't be bored again, but the rotating assembly and head are worth that.

[nando]

buy it and part it out. if the Vanos and head are good you can double your money right there.

what does Epic charge for a flash?

Mark D is working on some interesting software that basically turns it into standalone. I don't think you can do live data tracing but I've got datalogging down. :)

The thing is I don't really want a "black box" tune. I'm too used to having full access to every aspect of my DME. Unfortunately self tuning MSS54 is non-trivial.

[ForcedFirebird]

Check out Randy's site. The s54 flash is $600, with add-ons. He just ran a 2:14.77 at Sebring when we were there last, which was Fastest time of the weekend in his e46m3, nudging out Corvettes. His car is over 400whp - he remote tunes a lot of cars and has that option.

http://epicmotorsports.com/ecu-tune-for-2001-2005-bmw-3-series-e46-m3-mz3-m-coupe.html

[nando]

that's a bargain, thanks for the tip :)

[ForcedFirebird]

Sure thing. Let him know I sent you if you end up going with him. He does all our flashes for e30 obd2 swaps :)

[FredK]

Sweet! That's a great price if the DSC signal requirement is removed, AND, Epic has the most powerful tune out there for an extra $200? No brainer.

[ForcedFirebird]

Yeah, he gets 380whp out of an s54 Alpha-N setup. You should see his car, so sweet. I snapped this shot when at Sebring...

[nando]

is that with a CF airbox?

[ForcedFirebird]

Cams and airbox.

[nando]

I lust over a CF airbox like nerds lust over porn stars!

I don't ever want to get into modding the internals of another motor though. I actually measured the stock S54 cams, they're really damn agressive for a factory production engine.

[King Mufasa]

+1 ON EPIC MOTORSPORT, I know them.


Engine are always a risk to buy.. I seen some on ebay over the years and asked sellers for a vin number. One was posted as 67k the vin came back with 130+ salvaged twice and in 2009 it went from 78k to 113k in one year. The car was sold sooo many time's and salvaged again it was discouraging.This was on craigslist and he planned on posting on ebay..


Another ad on ebay was shown still in the car, car was red and I asked for the vin, history came back as a white m3.