» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | | | 08-02-2005, 10:15 PM | #1 | doesn't care about you. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,925 | 6 cylinder swap Vs. supercharger Like the title says, lets get everything out on the table. Pros and Cons of doing the 6 cylinder swap vs. installing a supercharger. If you have one or the other, speak up and tell us what you like and don't like. Please include other necessary upgrades and maintenance costs if applicable. __________________ '99 Dinan M3 | | | 08-02-2005, 10:26 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,288 | i'd imagine cost is a big issue. i personally want a e36 M50 next aswell as a manual transmission conversion. but first i am gonna abuse it for work motorway miles.... oh yeah, i also need to save a few k for the conversion..... __________________ 1995 BMW 316i Cosmos Black Mods: Magnex Cat-Back Exhaust Smoked Corner Lights + Repeators M3 17" Wheels De-Baffled Air Box AC HandBrake Handle and Gear Knob DEPO Euro Epsiloids + Predator Chronium Rings Chrome Interior bits IE Poly-Urethane RSFMs Kenwood Power Series Audio Powder Coated e36 325 Front Callipers Sports Seats | | | 08-03-2005, 03:01 AM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | This whole engine swap thing gets very played out. Not that it's a bad idea, but everyone likes to ask about it just to make their dick feel larger. I agree on doing the supercharging route. If you didn't want a 4 cylinder, then why did you get a 318ti. With a supercharger, you get the best of both worlds, without the complexity of a full engine swap. Quote: Originally Posted by DustenT Like the title says, lets get everything out on the table. Pros and Cons of doing the 6 cylinder swap vs. installing a supercharger. If you have one or the other, speak up and tell us what you like and don't like. Please include other necessary upgrades and maintenance costs if applicable. | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers Navman ICN 530 GPS BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system Magnecor 8.5mm wires M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob Burlwood Dashboard Stromung Exhaust X-brace Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar Carbonio C.A.I. 17" Rial Rims Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs Clear Corners M3 Mirrors UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines Hartge Roof Spoiler BavAuto Springs Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts SPC Front Camber Kit Reiger Hatch Spoiler BavAuto Rear Camber Kit Dinan Stage II Software Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm Engine Compartment Light Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit OEM Fire Extinguisher Da'lan Trailer Hitch Rear Sun Shade OEM Fog Light Retrofit H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links Cruise Control Retrofit On Board Computer Retrofit M3 twistie style side skirts Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 08-03-2005, 03:58 AM | #4 | That's not Millpoint Blue Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: BNA Posts: 3,161 | Quote: Originally Posted by L84THSKY If you didn't want a 4 cylinder, then why did you get a 318ti. | I can name that tune in ONE note: $ __________________ Real men know how to SEARCH! THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics." | | | 08-03-2005, 04:44 AM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 411 | Quote: Originally Posted by DustenT Like the title says, lets get everything out on the table. Pros and Cons of doing the 6 cylinder swap vs. installing a supercharger. If you have one or the other, speak up and tell us what you like and don't like. Please include other necessary upgrades and maintenance costs if applicable. | according to your signature, you allready are supercharged | | | 08-03-2005, 11:50 AM | #6 | doesn't care about you. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,925 | Quote: Originally Posted by Silver00spike according to your signature, you allready are supercharged | OMG...Your right, I can't believe I forgot my car was supercharged. Thanks for the reminder! Please excuse the sarcasm, it's early. I started this thread to help some confused members, I won't say any names, who think swapping a 6 cylinder motor is a better idea than a supercharger. The engine swap is a lot more expensive than some people think and I was hoping to get some prices posted. Anyone?? __________________ '99 Dinan M3 | | | 08-03-2005, 01:25 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 484 | Heres the price comparison; M3 swap = $6120 (professionally installed by bmw certified mechanics) DASC = $3495 + installations M3 engine and ecu and complete swap kit= < $4000 + you install Power comparison DASC = 210 bhp no room for improvement on stock internals m3 = 240bhp you guys know what an M3 is capable of Quote: Originally Posted by L84THSKY If you didn't want a 4 cylinder, then why did you get a 318ti. | Quote: Originally Posted by roadrash I can name that tune in ONE note: $ | I dont think the US version of the 318ti came with 6 cyl. I would not trade my 318ti for any E36 -E46 bmw out there, unless its an e46 M3. I love the way my 318ti looks. If the US market 318ti came with 6cyl I would have bought it, but unfortunately it did not. I have had my car since 1995 with 4 miles on it. It has not given me any problem at all, the most dependably car Ive had. The reason why I opted for the swap is because the 4cyl motor lacked the punch I needed. Now that I have more power, I love my car even more than when I first saw it in the dealership. | | | 08-03-2005, 01:33 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 | I believe it cost the previous owner of my car about $8,000, parts and installation. __________________ ...steven BMW CCA #146825 1996 BMW 328ti 2003 MINI Cooper S 2016 M235i www.bmwcca.org | | | 08-03-2005, 01:42 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 484 | well i'm one of the fortunate one that did not overpay for a swap. This is the reason why im spreading the joy. I dont want members to get turned off by the swap becuase of price. We shoudlnt be paying that much for bmw products. Look at the force induction section for example. Come on!!!!! 6-8 grand for a kit. Thats unbelievable. When you look at other import kits for 2k-4k tops. | | | 08-03-2005, 02:00 PM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 484 | Quote: Originally Posted by L84THSKY Not that it's a bad idea, but everyone likes to ask about it just to make their dick feel larger. | there are two kind of people in the world. The **** talker and the Doers. Let me ask everyone where do you belong? | | | 08-03-2005, 02:33 PM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pomfret Ct Posts: 277 | I was right in the middle of this argument a few mounhs ago, i ended up going with a m50 vanos swap. I not saying you need M swaps because all M parts are not too different from standard bmw, but cost alot more! First is the sound, my car will never sound like a honda again. Second price, 3400 to get a DASC is not bad but it's not great. i paid 800 for a motor and will have to pay another 800 about for all the misc parts, granted i do my own work thats only roughly 1600 half of a dasc. Third the power, my car will dyno at the wheels about 165 hp with the swap, dasc does about 175 hp at the wheels. but now i could go NA and put m3 cams a conforti chip and good flowing entake and exhaust and have 200-210 rear wheel hp (if you don't belive me look at some of the dyno charts on bimmerforums,com). and if that does not impress me i could go forced induction and SC it of turbo the m50 to reliable 300-350 hp (with drive tran mods). Last is BMW made it this way in Europe, The 323ti was a m50 2.5 litter motor. the same weights the same horse power. you can call me unfathful for going the six cyl route, but bottom line its what bmw is know for (there silky smoth sixes). There is really somthing cool about having a motor with close to 200 hp that has tons of potential after that, compared to have a motor a few pounds lighter at it's peak at 200 hp. | | | 08-03-2005, 03:46 PM | #12 | doesn't care about you. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,925 | Supercharger: Can be installed by anyone with 10 fingers and more than 6 brain cells, retain factory weight distribution and handling, still acts like a high-revving 4 cylinder, 30+ mpg, no need to remove engine, no other upgrades needed, BEATS STOCK M3s. Engine swap: Should be installed by a professional $$$, multiple upgrades needed (suspension, brakes, radiator, etc...), front heavy, rear-end can't handle the power, costs about twice what the supercharger does for about the same amount of power, $$$$ invested in a car that doesn't hold value like other BMWs. __________________ '99 Dinan M3 | | | 08-03-2005, 03:48 PM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Saint Paul, MN Posts: 606 | Quote: Originally Posted by DustenT Supercharger: Can be installed by anyone with 10 fingers and more than 6 brain cells, retain factory weight distribution and handling, still acts like a high-revving 4 cylinder, 30+ mpg, now need to remove engine, no other upgrades needed, BEATS STOCK M3s. | And that is why I want the DASC eventually! __________________ '96 Alaska Blue ti w/ Supersprint cat-back exhaust...Dinan CAI & Chip...Eibach Pro-Kit Springs...Bilstein Sport shocks...BavAuto camber kit...Brembo d/s rotors...UUC SSK...Centerforce Dual Friction clutch...TMS 9lb flywheel...18 inch OZ Rims...Carbon-Fiber dash/gauge bezel...Momo Shift Knob...Indiglo gauges...Schroth Harness...ZKW's/ProLumen 6k HID...Predator Chromiums http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y15...urowerksig.jpg | | | 08-03-2005, 04:28 PM | #14 | TRETEN IRGENDEINES ESELS Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3,687 | Quote: Originally Posted by DustenT Supercharger: Can be installed by anyone with 10 fingers and more than 6 brain cells, retain factory weight distribution and handling, still acts like a high-revving 4 cylinder, 30+ mpg, no need to remove engine, no other upgrades needed, BEATS STOCK M3s. Engine swap: Should be installed by a professional $$$, multiple upgrades needed (suspension, brakes, radiator, etc...), front heavy, rear-end can't handle the power, costs about twice what the supercharger does for about the same amount of power, $$$$ invested in a car that doesn't hold value like other BMWs. | When you say beats stock m3's you must be reffering to a 2.5l engine. Anyone who wants to put a S/C on there car with high mileage and put all that extra strain on your engine go right ahead. Anyone that wants more than 200 hp on there ti will do a swap. If you swap the engines then you can get alot more hp out of your engine with upgrades,for the m42-44 engine there isn't anything you can add onto it to get hp.. The most you'll get is 5hp, Chips are wortless for these engines. If i get a chip on a 2.8l and up we are talking about 15+ hp gain. I personally would rather save up the extra cash and do a swap. I can get a 3.2l engine with 35k on it for 7-8k and thats with everything you'll need except for trans mission. Thats what i'm saving for,i figure i'll have it swapped by the spring of next year. If my car had 20,xxx miles on it maybee i'd S/C it. __________________ 98 Avus Blue 318 ti Active clear outs all around,stealth turning signals,blue led interior lights, 35% tinted windows,K&N air filter, 12" Kenwood Sub, MTX Thunder Amp,Alpine cd changer, Leatherz Armrest,ACS Pedals/Handbrake/FloorMats & Vitesse Tuning Carbon Fiber B-Pillars/CF Spark Plug Cover, New 16" MSW Typer 14 Rims on Goodyear Triple Treds www.myspace.com/avusblueti | | | 08-03-2005, 05:57 PM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | I hear ya! That is why I am not afraid to say what I plan on doing to my car regardless of what most other people think of my mods. The bottom line is, what I say I'm gonna do, I end up doing Quote: Originally Posted by Dredder there are two kind of people in the world. The **** talker and the Doers. Let me ask everyone where do you belong? | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers Navman ICN 530 GPS BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system Magnecor 8.5mm wires M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob Burlwood Dashboard Stromung Exhaust X-brace Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar Carbonio C.A.I. 17" Rial Rims Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs Clear Corners M3 Mirrors UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines Hartge Roof Spoiler BavAuto Springs Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts SPC Front Camber Kit Reiger Hatch Spoiler BavAuto Rear Camber Kit Dinan Stage II Software Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm Engine Compartment Light Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit OEM Fire Extinguisher Da'lan Trailer Hitch Rear Sun Shade OEM Fog Light Retrofit H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links Cruise Control Retrofit On Board Computer Retrofit M3 twistie style side skirts Carbon Fiber Hood | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Thread Tools | | Display Modes | Linear Mode | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |