Engine Swap Questions

[Wanganstyle]

While I would love an e92 6-speed; that's MONEY.. I don't think I would need it as I would probably tune the S54 for a mild street build; leaving it probably completely at stock redline and just upgraded exhaust and air-flow. Only thing is that I've heard problems with the Getrag 420 seeing track use, but I think for what I'm doing for street, I'd be fine. It seems like your the guy to talk to for this stuff. Care to shed any light? :-D

So as we have it; Im leaning to the S54 running a Getrag 420 in the future. Is there anything needing to be done to the transmission tunnel to get it to fit? I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of each other once the wheels start turning hah

I don't think I would care for a fully re-manned custom shaft. I'd be content with running a used OEM shaft as long as there's no play in the u-joint and there's no binding, it aligns properly, and it well.. FITS lol

Thanks for your help so far. I've been reading your build threads and a lot of my other questions are getting answered. A lot of it is way over my head, but I'm doing my best to decipher a language I have never learned a-la "Swap-Ebonics" :-P

Are there any reputable shops for swaps to speak to around your area? I'm going to be making a move up north for a few years and I would love to still have connections there like I do here. I've heard RyanG does some good work, but do you know anyone maybe closer to Sac area?

all 6 speed conversion is MONEY. LOL. e92/46/e60 6mt boxes are all bank, full OEM clutch kits w modern baller dual mass flywheel are also close to 1k new.

R-G blew up his own S54 on the dyno with poor tuning and tried to blame the dyno operator. I dyno'ed my own built engine E30 there and did 2x the passes of normal, then drove home (no stretcher required). Funny to read the blame thread

link to hilarious thread:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1783007

If you are serious about S54 swap you can PM me; BNB designs can handle it locally here (sf bay area).

all 6 speed transmissions fit the e30 body perfect; check the link my sig for photo diary - its a beautiful item.

Getrag G420 6 speed units are highly stressed compared to zf5 speeds and other non-m 5 speeds. My e30 ran a 330i zhp ZF 6 speed for this reason -more modern, refined, less abused.

Ever wonder what an extra 1,500rpm and 100+hp will do to a gearbox under (street) racing stress? I destroyed the 2nd gear syncro completely on my ZF 5 speed with my old s54 setup and had to match all shifts going to 2nd.

[Jean]

Grrrr...so is the e34 530i ZF okay internally with about 300hp?

And WOW on the BFC thread?! What a clusterfuck.

[FunfGan]

I'm a huge OEM buff.. And I'd like to keep the N/A powerband. I don't want to be running a turbo.
That's just me though :-P

Ls1 or 302/427 swap. Not exactly oem, but gives you an amazing power band :)

[Wanganstyle]

Grrrr...so is the e34 530i ZF okay internally with about 300hp?

And WOW on the BFC thread?! What a clusterfuck.

RGMW s54 = alpha N garbage-self tuned engine kaboom. even more ironic is how RG posted up a destroyed s54 for sale on the local norcal board at the same time as BFC thread and did not post photos of the damage....... Pretty questionable behavior for a business to blame another business for own shortcomings (lack of s54 alpha-n tuning skills and BUDGET)

MCE is THE official E30 spec dyno for norcal and they dyno cars all day (garbage engines are supposed to blow up on the dyno)

the e34 530i zf5 should be a-ok with 300hp. You may wear out the syncros after a few seasons but you probably honestly don't need them functioning to shift well anyways :P

[nando]

RyanG is a good guy. that said, I agree that engine was probably dead before it got to the dyno (pressurized crankcase).

I forgot to put the oil cap back on my M20 once. Drove to work and back without even knowing it (thank you MAP sensor). It made a little mess but it really didn't spill much oil - maybe a few ounces. I redlined it a several times, too.

Basically, oil shouldn't spew out an open vent unless something is seriously pressurizing the crankcase.

[Wanganstyle]

RyanG is a good guy. that said, I agree that engine was probably dead before it got to the dyno (pressurized crankcase).

I forgot to put the oil cap back on my M20 once. Drove to work and back without even knowing it (thank you MAP sensor). It made a little mess but it really didn't spill much oil - maybe a few ounces. I redlined it a several times, too.

Basically, oil shouldn't spew out an open vent unless something is seriously pressurizing the crankcase.

RG has a very clean shop, nice guy; beautiful show e30m. Just = not skilled s54 engine mapping tuner!

++ agreed.

I drove my s52 oem engine e36M to buttonwillow from san francisco with no oil cap (~240 miles); lost it on the way by adding oil at fuel stop and leaving it on the windshield.

When I got to buttonwillow There was minor oil on the valvecover but it was not explosive or really messy-lost less than half a quart. A very sportsman e30 guy donated me his spare m20 oil cap and I tracked the entire day happily (and drove the 240 miles back home). Forever thankful for that sportsmanship generosity - saved my track day!