URGENT: Would you buy this S54?

[BeirBrennerE30]

I had worked out a great deal for another s54 from 2004 (post recall) with only 24k miles!. The engine was still in the car and ran when the deal was being hammered out but there was a small oil leak and the PS pump was broken off the oil filter housing. The guy I am buying from (reputable well known shop) said that he would buy brand new oil filter housing, PS pump and Alternator with all new hardware to replace the broken parts. This made the deal seem even better. Then the engine was pulled and the drivers side stripped for the new parts and I got an email saying that when the oil filter housing cracked it ripped out its upper right mounting bolt from the block. (see pic below). The guy said he would get it professionally fixed and welded up, drilled, and tapped and it would be better than new. So would you buy this engine to put in your car? The guy offered to extend their warranty from 1 year to whatever I felt comfortable with. I am kinda freaking out about having a block "fixed". I know people drill and tap stripped holes all the time but to weld and fix it is something I have never had to deal with. Should I avoid the engine? Could there be any other problems? unseen stress cracks? damage caused from the heat of welding? or am I overreacting? It was left that the guy needs to have it fixed whether I buy the engine or not so I can inspect the fix this weekend and we can decide from there.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Fix it and be done. That is not an area I'd worry about, when you get to main journals or head bolts, it may be iffy , but that outer corner of the housing to block area, fixed correctly should be fine.

[ck_taft325is]

Do it. Should be fine not to mention you could get a warranty it seems for next to eternity.

[blazing]

If the price is very fair do not hesitate as long as the work is done right.

[2002maniac]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy that. I'd call it a non-issue.

[TomSuddard]

I'd buy it. As long as they don't use superglue, you shouldn't ever have to think about it again.

[bimmerteck]

Having just completed an S54 swap I can tell you that that should be the least of your worries especially with where it's located and how it cracked to the outside of the housing o-ring seat. ;)


Erik

[kid325e]

use the offer he made you about a warranty to your advantage. If you do that you have no reason to worry.

[BeirBrennerE30]

Thanks guys... Just the thought of knowing that something in the engine wasnt going to be 100% perfect had me a little freaked out. Ill inspect the fix and decide from there.

Having just completed an S54 swap I can tell you that that should be the least of your worries especially with where it's located and how it cracked to the outside of the housing o-ring seat. ;)


Erik

What did you do for brake booster if you dont mind me asking... I am in between manual brakes and a hyrdobooster. I installed manual brakes but havnt driven the car yet. I have the hydrabooster on order.

[bimmerteck]

Thanks guys... Just the thought of knowing that something in the engine wasnt going to be 100% perfect had me a little freaked out. Ill inspect the fix and decide from there.




What did you do for brake booster if you dont mind me asking... I am in between manual brakes and a hyrdobooster. I installed manual brakes but havnt driven the car yet. I have the hydrabooster on order.

We transplanted the S54 into an e36 chassis but the velocity stacks used made booster clearence a non-issue.

I did find a pic of an e30 that appears to be running a standard booster of some sort though.




And a pic of the car I was working on for inspiration.

[Jesse30]

so mikes car is finally done?

[bimmerteck]

so mikes car is finally done?

My part is done and it's moved on to the next stage. Motor runs well though :D

Watch for in depth coverage from PBMW in the coming months.

[BeirBrennerE30]

I did find a pic of an e30 that appears to be running a standard booster of some sort though.



http://blankmediagroup.com/Pictures/Mike/E36-%20General/_DSC7660%20copy.jpg[/IMG]

yeah I have seen the pic... but after looking at my own fitment I have decided that it cant be a stock or any BMW booster and it cant be in the stock location unless they hacked the underside of the intake manifold. It just doesnt fit.

[Jesse30]

why not like a honda booster? i think i've heard somewhere of people using those for swaps

[das borgen]

why not like a honda booster? i think i've heard somewhere of people using those for swaps

from which Honda?