Options for engine swap

[e30Matt]

Well, I've been laying out my plans for my engine swap this summer, and I've got two main options.

Option number one is a 2.8L, 8k mile Al block engine out of a '99 Z3 that was donated to BMW STEP, head rebuilt (bottom end untouched) and has since been shrinkwrapped in my friend's garage. I can have this engine for ~$2000.

Option number two is a Non-VANOS M50, I believe about 80k miles, complete with wiring harness, ECU, essentially a running engine minus the transmission. I can most likely get this engine for sub-$1000.

I have aspirations for forced induction, hence the reason I haven't already jumped on the Al block engine. Has anyone here turbo/SC'd an Al block engine, and if so, how does it hold up? Thanks in advance.

[M-technik-3]

2.5 1995 non vanos engine.

Year
Part
Model Description Stock# Price Dealer Info
1994
Engine
BMW 325i CF720 $763 General Auto Recycling USA-RI(Tiverton) E-mail 1-800-556-7316
1993
Engine
BMW 325i 155k #3304952925682 6MONTH WAR Y292 $642 Borges Foreign Auto USA-MA(Dighton) Quote 1-800-662-6150 Insurance-Quote
1995
Engine
BMW 525 - 3DOT,130K,RC J4136 $595 Jack's Used Cars and Parts USA-MA(North-Billerica) E-mail 1-888-873-5225
1995
Engine
BMW 325ic NEEDS 311 92230 $500 Lowell Used Auto Parts USA-MA(Lowell) E-mail 1-800-952-9775
1994
Engine
BMW 525 i 2.5L 4AT 86K -FCL LMS40243 $Call GreenLeaf MA Leominster USA-MA(Leominstol) E-mail 1-800-343-6122
1995
Engine
BMW 525 i DIG FIRE CHECK DAMAGE LMS40601 $Call GreenLeaf MA Leominster USA-MA(Leominstol) E-mail 1-800-343-6122
1995
Engine
BMW 525 i 2.5L 4AT 90K LMS40249 $Call GreenLeaf MA Leominster USA-MA(Leominstol) E-mail 1-800-343-6122
1994
Engine
BMW 325i 2.5L 5MT 108K C4 C145 COLD LMS40284 $Call GreenLeaf MA Leominster USA-MA(Leominstol) E-mail 1-800-343-6122
1995
Engine
BMW 525 - V01239 $Call LKQ - Route 16 Used Auto USA-MA(Webster) E-mail 1-800-423-4006
Year
Part
Model Description Stock# Price Dealer Info

[iXer]

I agree, the 2.5 1995 non vanos engine it is. Save the extra $1000 for an engine management system and throw away the stock ECU. Do I need to say why when your motives were forced induction?