88 M3 rez-erection

[kronus]

incredible find. following this :)

> Motor swaps aren't cheap to do correctly.

disagree - I've done several extremely economical 24v swaps. you can buy a whole nice S54 for the price of S14 timing chain rails. I am currently very painfully aware of this since I am piecing an S14 together out of spares.

[patrick88m3]

Get full blown fucked you bought a m3 for 2k. Are there issues with it not having a title? I'm not from the US so don't know how it works.

It had a lien he never paid off. The bank had long since written it off so I was able to get a letter saying they had no interest in the car. Did some paperwork and was able to get a title. Have to be careful though it can backfire on you if everything isn't 100% certain about the car. Some states don't even issue titles for cars over a certain age. Must be nice for them.

[econti]

Get full blown fucked you bought a m3 for 2k. Are there issues with it not having a title? I'm not from the US so don't know how it works.

[BlackbirdM3]

Sir I'm just a poor 23 year old who can't afford to grenade a 10k engine that's past its usual rebuild point.

So don't blow it up. Check things over, look for obvious signs of an issue, and go from there. I can tell you that the S14 is a solid engine. How do I know? I've been driving one since 2011, and with basic maintenance it just keeps on going. The odometer reads 191XXX miles, but I'm pretty sure the car has more.

The cost to swap the engine will be close to what rebuilding an S14 will run. Motor swaps aren't' cheap to do correctly. If you have an M3, do it correctly or don't do it at all. Why risking devaluing the car with a poorly done swap? Sure it makes sense to spend the $ for some new rod bearings, they can be swapped in the car. Its a little bit of a pain, but its doable. How do I know? I've done it. Pick up an oil pan baffle and off you go.

Will

[McGyver]

If it died because of a fuel pump, I bet the s14 is fine. Even if it's down on power. I would definitely start by trying to get the current engine running. Maybe put some marvel mystery oil in the cylinders to loosen up the rings, then turn it over by hand. I feel like it would be really fun and exciting to get the original engine working. Worst case scenario is that you need some machine work, which will be expensive, but maybe you can take your time with it.

Also, you shouldn't think of it as a $10k engine. It's a $2k car, which could be sold tomorrow for $15k, or even more if you parted it out. Nothing on the car is worth cash until you sell it, and then it'll be really hard to buy it again in the future.

[patrick88m3]

This is crazy. Nice find. Meanwhile I'm over here about to pay 3k for a rolling shell of a 325i. Good luck with the build. I am subscribed.

Coupe I'm guessing? My friend has a sedan roller that comes with a k24 he can't sell for 2k here in IL

[JasonWilson48]

This is crazy. Nice find. Meanwhile I'm over here about to pay 3k for a rolling shell of a 325i. Good luck with the build. I am subscribed.

[patrick88m3]

What a score! Going to have some work ahead of you, but with a starting price of $2k, you have a lot of room for the inevitable headaches ahead.

Keep posting and sharing the progress

Yes there is budget left for ibuprofen.

[patrick88m3]

Why go to the effort and expense to swap the engine if the S14 is in good running shape? I'd start there first. There is a reason a 6cyl wasn't used, and I will never understand why people put them in. I also wouldn't touch an N series engine with a 40 foot pole.

I say fix the fuel pump(s), change the oil and filter, pull the ignition and fuel pump relays, crank it over until there is oil in the cam box, plug in the ignition and fuel pumps and see if it starts. So much less trouble, and the car will handle better in the end.

Congrats on the find, but keep it a real M3. (Because real M3s have 4 cylinders.)

Will

Sir I'm just a poor 23 year old who can't afford to grenade a 10k engine that's past its usual rebuild point.

[grandeswag]

Sell the S14

Buy K24

You know the rest

[2mAn]

What a score! Going to have some work ahead of you, but with a starting price of $2k, you have a lot of room for the inevitable headaches ahead.

Keep posting and sharing the progress

[BlackbirdM3]

Why go to the effort and expense to swap the engine if the S14 is in good running shape? I'd start there first. There is a reason a 6cyl wasn't used, and I will never understand why people put them in. I also wouldn't touch an N series engine with a 40 foot pole.

I say fix the fuel pump(s), change the oil and filter, pull the ignition and fuel pump relays, crank it over until there is oil in the cam box, plug in the ignition and fuel pumps and see if it starts. So much less trouble, and the car will handle better in the end.

Congrats on the find, but keep it a real M3. (Because real M3s have 4 cylinders.)

Will

[rturbo 930]

No, but it's been documented on the forum. It's still a relatively uncommon swap, and not as easy as an S52, but it seems to be getting some traction now.

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/24v-engine-swaps/n54-n52-swap-forum/385417-n52-swap-discussion

[patrick88m3]

You stole it at that price. Didn't think deals like that existed anymore. If you're going to swap it, I'd suggest the much lighter N52 instead. More power, less weight, and the car should drive more similarly to how it would with an S14.

Have you done a N52 swap?

[rturbo 930]

You stole it at that price. Didn't think deals like that existed anymore. If you're going to swap it, I'd suggest the much lighter N52 instead. More power, less weight, and the car should drive more similarly to how it would with an S14.