S54 swap questions and concerns

[FredK]

Wow man, those are some great numbers with fairly normal performance parts! I think the torque hole down low can be addressed with moving the merge further back for sure. I ran a 2.93 for a while and thought it was OK, but with a 3.46, it's really fun. I bet you could gain even more with nice headers like the Supersprints or Epic headers.

Now I want to get a Epic tune lol.

[*freshm3]

To answer some previous questions..I run the stock U.S E46 M3 headers with chopped cats. Low end power is not to my liking currently because the merge is too close to the headers. Trial and Error right! I run the X pipe and have 2.5 piping all the way. I have (2) Magnaflow resonators to keep her quiet.

I have VAC UD pulleys and DINAN high-flow ITB with the stock airbox, BIMMERWORLD silicone boot and ECIS (KN63) filter. The car dyno tuned 330+ constantly and the final run and flashed tune is a 340rwp/277 tq. The car is set at a 7800rpm rev-limiter because im a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles. Randy wanted me to go north 8200+ but ...I haven't replaced the rod bearings and Im not that loco. The car was still making power at 7600+.

OT: I run the 2.93 so I can run with my friends GTR and neighbor's 997 TT. Plain and simple.
I walked a stg 2 AA E46 M3 vert at the toys for tots event last sunday like a puppy dog. It was marvelous to see the guys face wearing a Santa hat. He couldn't even smell me. I've pulled on faster cars but this kill was the most recent. The 997TT starts to catch up at 130 but I gave him a beating. N/A power! All day everyday!

OP good luck! E30 S54 is fun fun fun x 100 with the right tune.

[jink0619]

Gave the sfiftyfour a bath today :)

[jink0619]

I'm curious to know which headers u guys used? I plan on usingb the stock headers, have cats cut and weld on vbands. Plan b would be ebay jvts headers.

[jink0619]

I used the same green hex mounts as you did, jink. Engine mount arms are the same between OBD-I and II E36s.

To connect the engine to the heater core, I used two E39 heater core hoses with a part of it cut off. It is PN 64218367930.

On a Z3M, there's a unique driver's side mount arm that has an extra bolt hole so you can bolt the heater core pipe to it. I am not sure what the E46 driver's side mount arm/heater core pipe looks like, or how it is secured. I wouldn't be surprised if it had a similar style of attachment.

I use a 3.46 because it better suits the road course that I go to most often. I might have had to double downshift for a really slow turn, but instead I ride it out with a 3.46. I have noticed that most autocrosses I've gone to, I can avoid shifting to 3rd with a 3.23. I did run a 2.93 for a brief while, and I thought it was pretty good as a cruiser, but I wanted a little more high RPM fun at autocross.

I'm pretty sure I saw your dyno graphs, freshm3, on another forum. Pretty crazy you did it with a stock plenum. What is your "Section 1" setup? Where did you put the x-pipe? 340whp is insane power from just a tune. You must have a factory freak engine!

Thanks for the info :)

[jink0619]

I like where this thread is going. I run the E36 ZF 5 speed with a 2.93 LSD with my S54 swap.

As for the clutch, I run the dual mass flywheel with a SPEC clutch. Stock-like driveability.

EWS should be deleted from the DME when you flash. Randy Mueller did this for me but Frank Smith is closer to you in VA.

Since a lot of S54 guys are in this thread....what kind of power are you boys putting down now? I have the EPIC race tune and I just made 340 rwhp/277tq without a CSL airbox or headers. Just curious.

Good Luck OP. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks man, and wow! those are great numbers. I've decided to go with the s52 flywheel and Luk clutch kit. Now that I have most parts sorted out I'm mainly concerned about the brake booster, I have an e32 735i booster so I'm going to see if that would fit, trying to stay away from a brake delete.

My only diff option now is a 373lsd but gonna keep an eye out for something lower.

[FredK]

I used the same green hex mounts as you did, jink. Engine mount arms are the same between OBD-I and II E36s.

To connect the engine to the heater core, I used two E39 heater core hoses with a part of it cut off. It is PN 64218367930.

On a Z3M, there's a unique driver's side mount arm that has an extra bolt hole so you can bolt the heater core pipe to it. I am not sure what the E46 driver's side mount arm/heater core pipe looks like, or how it is secured. I wouldn't be surprised if it had a similar style of attachment.

I use a 3.46 because it better suits the road course that I go to most often. I might have had to double downshift for a really slow turn, but instead I ride it out with a 3.46. I have noticed that most autocrosses I've gone to, I can avoid shifting to 3rd with a 3.23. I did run a 2.93 for a brief while, and I thought it was pretty good as a cruiser, but I wanted a little more high RPM fun at autocross.

I'm pretty sure I saw your dyno graphs, freshm3, on another forum. Pretty crazy you did it with a stock plenum. What is your "Section 1" setup? Where did you put the x-pipe? 340whp is insane power from just a tune. You must have a factory freak engine!

[Jb325is]

Wow! Mine made 276/238 with a base euro tune and nothing else. I am planning on having Frank remote tune it soon. You made 340whp on stock headers?

[*freshm3]

I like where this thread is going. I run the E36 ZF 5 speed with a 2.93 LSD with my S54 swap.

As for the clutch, I run the dual mass flywheel with a SPEC clutch. Stock-like driveability.

EWS should be deleted from the DME when you flash. Randy Mueller did this for me but Frank Smith is closer to you in VA.

Since a lot of S54 guys are in this thread....what kind of power are you boys putting down now? I have the EPIC race tune and I just made 340 rwhp/277tq without a CSL airbox or headers. Just curious.

Good Luck OP. Let me know if you have any questions.

[jink0619]

I suppose any m5x/s5x will do. Mine were off of a 328

Ebay headers are hit or miss by the way. Lots of header info on m3forum

I was under the impression that there's a difference between the obd1 and obd2 engine arms? Ok so I'm guessing same engine mounts awell? I used the green 535i mounts for my s52 swap.

[Jb325is]

I suppose any m5x/s5x will do. Mine were off of a 328

Ebay headers are hit or miss by the way. Lots of header info on m3forum

[jink0619]

Does anyone know which e36 engine arm to use?

[jink0619]

Shopping ebay headers, which one did u guys use?

[jink0619]

Yep, that's a good option. I had access to an e36 m3 3.23 and was re-building the limited slip out of my diff anyways so I decided to just swap gears. e28 3.25 is defintely the easier way to do it.

OP, you need an e46 m3 fuel pressure regulator/fuel filter assembly. I made a bracket in the engine bay for the regulator and ditched the filter because it's huge, I just bought a new e30 fuel filter instead

Any chance u can snap me a pic of your bay and where u mounted the bracket?

[Jb325is]

Yep, that's a good option. I had access to an e36 m3 3.23 and was re-building the limited slip out of my diff anyways so I decided to just swap gears. e28 3.25 is defintely the easier way to do it.

OP, you need an e46 m3 fuel pressure regulator/fuel filter assembly. I made a bracket in the engine bay for the regulator and ditched the filter because it's huge, I just bought a new e30 fuel filter instead