N52 Swap Discussion

[Striker01]

I'm no expert, but from what I've seen, you'll want to use MSV70.


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I agree with this. You really need to read through this whole thread, probably multiple times during the process. Nando talked a bunch about how MSV70 uses E46 protocols, I think he even said the cluster from one would just work. A couple of us have used 22RPD for the ECU work, they've been good so far.

[DesertBMW]

Ok, thanks! It looks like I can start with an EWS delete. Where can I get this done? I've seen BimmerTools does it. I already purchased their MSV80 QuickFlash. Does anyone here on the forum also provide this service? Looking at other options. Before spending more money heading down MSV80, is the MSV70 a better route? Or if I EWS delete my MSV80, is it basically working the same as MSV70 EWS delete?

I did N55 swap into E36 so the whole procedure will be very similar, you can watch my whole instructional video on youtube. Then what is the point of having N52 in E46? It will not feel any better than having stock 2005 M54B30 330i 6 speed that you could buy for cheap then again it is just slow car anyway. With E46 you have to have 500hp engine to have any fun with it, that is why I am asking what is the point.

[ethirty-eric]

I agree with this. You really need to read through this whole thread, probably multiple times during the process. Nando talked a bunch about how MSV70 uses E46 protocols, I think he even said the cluster from one would just work. A couple of us have used 22RPD for the ECU work, they've been good so far.

Thanks, I've started to plan going down this route. EKP from the Z4 is on it's way.

I did N55 swap into E36 so the whole procedure will be very similar, you can watch my whole instructional video on youtube. Then what is the point of having N52 in E46? It will not feel any better than having stock 2005 M54B30 330i 6 speed that you could buy for cheap then again it is just slow car anyway. With E46 you have to have 500hp engine to have any fun with it, that is why I am asking what is the point.

Well, it wasn't planned. I fell into a good deal for a prefacelift coupe, which is the platform I wanted. Around here, e46 coupes are harder to find than sedans or verts. Then, an opportunity for the N52 came around. So, I figured why not put them together. I'm an old fart and high horsepower cars isn't my thing and I'll just get into trouble with them anyway. I want a nice drivers car. The N52 is what I've read as the last good NA six banger. Also, tuning it will get more HP than an M54. Not a huge delta, but enough to make it fun (for me anyway). Also, it will be somewhat unique. Putting a stock motor in the stock chassis - boring. I don't want the complexity of a turbo. I was happy with my slightly massaged ZHP sedan. That's my goal and then a bit more. I love the challenge of just piecing it all together. I'm an engineer by trade and by heart. Is 300hp achievable or close to it? In roughly a 3000 lb car, it will be more entertaining than stock. I don't need double the horsepower. Anyway, I'll check out the video and see if it will help me out.

[hoveringuy]

Last summer I measured my oil temps after a track session and they were too hot for me, so I added a coolant-to-oil stacked plate heat exchanger that's common to many of the factory N52's. I instantly noticed that the coolant takes much longer to come up to temperature because it needs to warm all the oil along with the coolant, which is good.

I had a ho-hum day at the track yesterday because I spent 90% of my time teaching the Car Control Clinic students and getting vertigo on the skid pad. I did get some lapping in the late afternoon and collected "after" data.

Temps went down from 265 to 245, which is better but still not great. If I did any kind of endurance racing I would definitely want the N54 style oil cooler with a thermostatically controlled radiator. I also noticed that last summer the oil would stay hot basically forever until it naturally cooled, like it was sitting in a thermos bottle. Now the temps come down almost instantly as I leave the track because it's being actively cooled.

temps were taken with a thermocouple down the dip tube, sitting in the middle of the pan.

[DesertBMW]

I always wondered on M20 e30s if the oil cooler is something that the engine really need or it is just a sale gimmick. Then on E28/E34 5 series there is no oil cooler on M20 engine and the chassis is much heavier.