N52 Swap

[AwakenNoMore]

I am VERY interested in this swap. Now that people are actually making great progress with the software and mounting solutions this engine sounds like a winner in an E30.

[mitchlikesbikes]

Yes but the flywheel bolt pattern is different.

bummer:(

[Elysian]

I wonder if you could Plastiweld a piece of plastic tube in?

[cwlo]

So, I sliced the engine mount brackets, and then shifted it 1" and then re-welded. I opted to move the engine back 1" and leave the height alone. With some additional bracing, it might be good enough, although the cast aluminum is a bit weaker when welded. I'll probably fab something new later down the road, but for now, it works for sizing and all.

So with the engine installed with those mounts, and a bolted to the trans in the car to be sure I have the engine at the right angle, this is how it sits. With the N54 intake (which is a Godsend), there is a ton of space. I have an e90 booster and MC loosely placed for the pic. Will probably sit another 1/4" back when bolted. Although the pic doesn't do much for depth perception, it will work fine, and also look at the nice room by the heater inlet/outlet.

So, I then snapped a pic of the oil pickup. It needs to sit right where the arc asylum tube is, so I will have to fab up a modified tube and pan. I'll take a few pics of the oil pickup, and post them for suggestions. I'm thinking I can turn a piece of steel to duplicate the size and shape of the stock end, and then weld an m54 pickup to it to get the right length. I have no experience modifying plastic, and with such a critical piece, not sure I want to take any chances.

Chris

[cwlo]

Beginning pics

[nando]

Yes but the flywheel bolt pattern is different.

[mitchlikesbikes]

Is the n52 clocked the same as other 24v engines? And does it use the same bellhousing bolt pattern? Just wondering if I could keep my transmission and clutch if I ever went this route

[ForcedFirebird]

Subscribing. Let's get one of these heads on my flow bench!

[nando]

There was a thread on N52 swaps like 6 years ago or something - full of a lot of misinformation, unfortunately, because nobody understood the engine (me included).

edit: here it is

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=234496

Also, it's only within the last year and a half that I developed the EWS delete necessary for swapping without having to transfer the entire harness from a newer car.

There's still no great self tuning options but I've been working on that - the building blocks are taking shape.

[2mAn]

This is turning into something sweet, still don’t understand why it’s taken this long, but I’m excited to see this materializing

[nando]

That's awesome!

I'm playing with a set of S54 ITBs for mine - however, I'm not confident that booster fitment will be that great.. maybe you can get some measurements that I can use to estimate clearance.

[cwlo]

The M54 in the E30 is an awesome combo. Compared to my e46 M3, the E30 was quite a bit faster from say 0-4500rpm. But the M3 can keep revving where the M54 starts to peter out. Lets not forget that Hoveringuy's 240whp is more of a race tuned M54, that gives up torque for a higher rpm hp gain.

So now consider the N52. Compared to a hot M54 with 220whp, you can get the N52 to 255-265whp with fairly easy mods that don't affect driveability, or torque: Headers, MILV (shims that increase intake valve lift and install relatively easy), N54 intake, and tune. Plus, it willingly and smoothly revs to say 7400 stock, more if you want to mess with the lifters.
Given the e30's weight, this seems to be the sweet spot, unless you go crazy hp drifter stuff.

Also, great news on the N54 intake. It results in tons of room for the brake booster and easy access to the heater core inlet/outlet. I'll have some pics up tonight.

Currently modding the engine mounts for 1" further back, then I'll pull the engine back out, and mod the oil pan/pickup. Moving along...

[nando]

Mine put down 220whp bone stock..

[hoveringuy]

"The weight of an M42 part gets my attention in a big way..."

My M54 is light and just a blast with 240whp, but I needed an m50 intake and Schrick cams to get there.

An N52 is probably 30lbs lighter, makes around 230whp with little effort and can spin to around 8000 with solid lifters from what I understand. The CNC work on the head is beautiful from the factory, whereas M54 is still rough cast.

[JimmyP]

Interesting thread.
I honestly never knew anything about the N52. Thanks for posting.

Question - Has anyone developed a solid follower / shim over/under kit for the N52?

What is the bottom end durability like?

The weight of an M42 part gets my attention in a big way...