question about cost on s54 swap

[pvrse]

If I have a complete s54 engine, how much am I looking at roughly for parts and labor? An estimate would be nice from someone who has done it before!

[mcm185]

8-10k + the engine

[pvrse]

dang.. what makes it so much more expensive after the engine?

[The Dark Side of Will]

Oil pan, crossmember, wiring, exhaust fab, DME tuning, transmission & clutch, driveshaft if using the 420G, intake plumbing, cooling system, oil system... Anything else?

[mcm185]

Labor, doing it right. You can go ahead and estimate less but you'll end up spending that or more. Just the wiring harness + DME flash you're looking at 1.5-2k. Probably 30-40 hours in labor to get it done right.

[R3Z3N]

Also acquiring parts for S54 swap. I bought from A 2006 Z4M, so cost will be a little higher, still AC, ECU flash+tune, custom exhaust, custom trans brace and other odds and ends are needed. I previously had an S52 installed so some parts transfer....not much.

So far here is what I have bought, no labor yet: A far amount wont be needed if you get the engine from an M3 instead of Z4M.

[george graves]

$2k DME flash - damn.

[diesekte]

I did it for about 10 total, and rebuilt the engine in the process. Not for the faint of heart or light of wallet

[pvrse]

wow, thanks guys for the solid info. So I'm assuming around 10-12k depending on what I can get it all for.

[Staszek]

Also acquiring parts for S54 swap. I bought from A 2006 Z4M, so cost will be a little higher, still AC, ECU flash+tune, custom exhaust, custom trans brace and other odds and ends are needed. I previously had an S52 installed so some parts transfer....not much.

So far here is what I have bought, no labor yet: A far amount wont be needed if you get the engine from an M3 instead of Z4M.

Its funny I was just adding up what I bought and I am close to $10k without the labor. I think $10k is a good estimate depending on what you do with the car. There are different methods that can save some money, I have not seemed to choose any of them lol.

[R3Z3N]

$2k DME flash - damn.

Crazy high quote for that unless it includes remote dyno time which I will be doing, but still paying far less.

[gpeterson]

Crazy high quote for that unless it includes remote dyno time which I will be doing, but still paying far less.

You beat me to it. All of the info is out there if someone wants to learn and do it for free. If not, I'll do it for $100.

[E30.WLA]

I'm taking on the challenge to make this swap under 6k. Prices of s54's are going down. I already have a standalone setup.:hitler:

[DesertBMW]

Benefit vs. the cost

It is true. Properly swapped S54 is expensive. Now you got to consider if it is all worth it.
I personally don't think it is worth putting S54 into E30 for $10k

[FredK]

You can certainly do a swap for under 6K if you get the engine cheaply enough, and you get creative with some of the parts.