Ragnorak's S54 318ti Swap with Videos
 

Hey all!

Just wanted to post up my 318ti build over here. I spend most of my time on the dark side (BFc) because I was selling parts for a while, but I realize most of the true compact enthusiasts are over here. I drew a lot of good info and inspiration for the build from the forum, so I wanted to share some pics/vids/insight with you guys.

[Current pics]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...02991025_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...05463818_n.jpg


[During swap]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...80558462_n.jpg


[Current build list]
Chassis:
1997 318ti
Alpine White
California Open-Air Package (the full retractable canvas roof)
Sport Package (M-tech bumpers, moldings)

Engine
S54 3.2L I6 (E46 M3 engine)
Alpha-N software by RK Tunes
Prototype CSL-style fiberglass airbox
Euro catless headers
3" AA Race Exhaust (custom welded and adapted to 318ti)

Drivetrain
E46 M3 6MT
Z3 4.10 clutch-type LSD
E36 325i slave cylinder
Rogue Engineering stainless clutch line
Rogue Engineering poly trans mounts
Rogue Engineering clutch stop
Euro crossmember and shifter assembly
E36 M3 auto driveshaft
Z3M Roadster axles

Suspension
Bilstein PSS9 coilovers
New Meyle control arms and FCABs
New Lemforder tie rods
E36 M3 front subframe, spindles, and sway bar
Z3M Roadster rear subframe, control arms, and sway bar

Brakes
Front Porsche 996 Brembos (RallyRoad adapter kit)
E46 M3 slotted front rotors
PFC brake pads
Rear Z3M Roadster package
Rogue Engineering custom front and rear stainless brake lines

Wheels/Tires
BBS RC305 17x9 ET32 square, polished caps
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01 245/40/R17 square
Rogue Engineering wheel studs and nuts
12 mm front spacer

Interior
Z3M Roadster cluster
E36 M3 steering wheel
Black Vaders (E36 M3)
AC Schnitzer pedals
Semi-gutted hatch and rear seat section
Battery relocated to trunk

Exterior
Gratuitous door dings
Sad hood with peeling clear coat (being replaced now!)
Cali-roof of stargazing in cruise control

VIDS

S54 318ti vs. JB4 135i vs. 370Z (40-140 roll)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFTmk2dhJhs

S54 318ti vs. JB 135i (fly by)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wepmwXq_rc

S54 318ti (static pull)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cDKBJNQ2lg

Nicely done. Get that thing to the track.

Beautiful! :clap:


I just was wondering:

"E36 M3 auto driveshaft" It bolts up to the 6spd and is a direct fit? (Sorry if this is old new already, just new to me!)

Does it retain any OBDII functions? - For those of us in Cali keeping OBDII and smog parts could be very helpful to get it ref'd!

You probably won't get as many people that will post replies as bfc but every viewer is undoubtedly thinking of how they can also do it. :wink:

Great stuff.

Thanks man! That's actually why I posted it here, to try and give back a bit!

So, in a nutshell, the transmission lengths are relatively like this:
E36 auto>E46 6-speed>E36 5-speed

So the driveshaft on the E36 auto is slightly shorter than you would otherwise want it to be. However, it works. You just have to pull the front section forward off the slip yoke a bit. I've put about 8K miles on this swap and it works well.

I do still have OBD2 scan ability and it will throw check engine lights. Right now those lights are useless and I need to get certain ones coded out, such as:

• No CAN-BUS
• Post-cat O2 sensors
• Exhaust gas temperature sensor
• Radiator temperature sensor

None of those would work with the swap and/or exhaust setup, so I'd just like to see them gone. Otherwise, yes, it works well! The more OBD2-compliant way of doing this is to use the OE headers (which have integrated cats) and the E46 midpipe sections welded to a custom rear section. I don't have emissions in PA, so I run catless Euro headers, a center resonator, and the rear AA muffler. No cats...

Saw this on BF.c the other day. Very awesome. I bet its a blast.

Wicked ride, bout time you came over

Ahh I see that makes sense, thanks for the clarification.

I also see you didn't do anything to reinforce the diff mounting point (or you did and didn't post?, is that in the works or you just going to keep it stock and see how long it lasts?

Thanks man! It definitely is. Kind of a K20 mentality to build a quick NA car with as little weight as possible.

Hah thanks, I've been over here since I got the hatch but I do way more reading than posting.

I should be fine for now considering the S54 isn't exactly a torque monster. I will be reinforcing it over the winter, however, because I want to run slicks in the spring and see what ET it is really capable of. I'll probably go the dual-ear route similar to what Vorschlag or Randy Forbes does for the E30s/Z3Ms.



Car got new front end paint and body panels last week. Waiting to get the car back this week to bring it to the strip and see what trap speeds this thing can put down!

https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...11925650_n.jpg

Nice!

But even though its not a "torque monster" the s52 was enough to damage the z3m's and the s54 has about same torque right? Just take care on those launches. Can't wait to see what it does with the rear reinforced and take it to the drag strip!

I almost shed a tear when I saw this quote, so touching to know there are others out there that aren't just BMW purists and don't hate on other work just because its not bmw (partly joking, partly serious). a k20/k24 Frankenstein build was my dream back in the day, never got to it though, changed platforms to s13 now e36. I wouldn't mind going back to honda and finishing that dream on a 3g civic (even now I can only think of one person who did this), When I have the funds and time to spare.

Slow clap......

Yes, the S54 is essentially just able to rev out a lot higher with a much better head/valvetrain. Our rear pan design isn't the same as the Z3M so the reinforcement really isn't to prevent damage (in my eyes), it's just to keep the diff and subframe from moving and giving me wheel hop.

I agree man. I'm definitely a gearhead first and a BMW enthusiast second.

I can't hate on those cleanly-swapped Hondas and, to be honest, BMWs aftermarket can learn a lot from the top-end Honda drag/circuit cars. While there are BMWs in the states that are putting down serious power, you don't see a lot of vendors or modders going really deep into these cars with full tube-chassis, wheelie bars, etc. The Honda boards are also very knowledgeable as long as you can sort through the BS (as in any forum). A K20/24 in a Civic that light would be a ridiculous sleeper, far more so than my car.

Man, I want that in our Ti, I love the M52 already and can't imagine what S54 would be like.

Alright. So again, baselining is important to me with modding so I wanted to go out to Island Dragway last night to get some practice in and see where my trap speeds are. I wasn't going to go because it rained that afternoon, but I said **** it, stripped the car out, and went. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Stripped down the car and got a helmet from ACM:

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...42552578_n.jpg

Results?

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...90589885_n.jpg

Best ET: 12.868@110.97
Best Trap: 13.009@112.54

Remember kids, this is on street tires too. I'm planning on getting to decent wide compounds and going from there. If I start cutting sub-2.0 second 60', the car will really start to put down some good times.



There are funny lessons to be learned here:
1. GT500s will still lose to a BMW hatchback if they have a ****ty driver mod
2. A supercharged F-250 will run deep 12s.
3. Island Dragway doesn't know much about BMWs
4. My subframe bushings are dying already
5. This car is really tough to launch with 4.10s
6. Drag racing is a ton of fun regardless of ETs

Stay tuned for some upgrades over the next few weeks!

love it..this car makes me often think of selling my turbo stuff off and swapping in a s54

Hah, your turbo setup will still be 15 mph + faster than this setup in a 1320. Just gives me peace of mind that it has relatively stock reliability.