Ease of a S54 swap

[windnsea00]

Originally Posted by Mallard

its an "enhansed" m50 engine. different rods and pistond, different cam

but essentially the same block and head (afaik) as the standard

the s50/s52 is a true motorsport engine, and also ALOT more expensive to maintain

There was no S52 Motorsport engine, just S50B30 and S50B32.

Motorsport engines also have ITB's, solid lifters, higher redlines, beefier valvetrains, etc.

I don't have the money now but an S52+Sunbelt cam package (8k redline, ~310hp)...so say engine and cam package puts you at about $5.5-6k, that's still cheaper than most Euro engines in good condition.

Of course if I was going FI, a M52 is a fine place to start but I think the S52 is worth it for N/A power.

[austinpeif]

Originally Posted by Panzer_M

www.Bimmerworld.com

Engines. Look at

S50B30, S50B32 and M5 Sixxer(340hp IIRC)

all three would be easier to hookup than the S54..which is too electronical for my taste. If you want to drop the green a S50B32 3XXhp engine would be all you need in a Ti.

thats the one i was looking at. the s50b32 on that website. an average price s52 plus the intake/cam kits to get it up to only 300hp would cost almost as much, and it still wouldnt have the same power. the more i read about the s54, the more i dont like it. that throttle by wire or whatever it is sounds like just another fancy useless part that can break and cost alot of money.

so, im sold on the s50b32. anyone know of any companies that offer it besides bimmerworld?

[mohaughn]

Your best bet is to find a complete donor car. You'll need more than just the engine, and everybody that has done it has either loved having the donor car right there, or wished that they did.

[mooseheadm5]

Originally Posted by windnsea00

There is some guy selling an S54 E36 on bimmerforums, I would imagine the physical swap itself is straightforward like the E36 6 cylinder engines however electronics are another story in its own. You would probably have to run a custom computer like Piggyback or what not.

Another option is an S52 and the Sunbelt cam package (on Bimmerworld.com) for $2.5-$3k which will put you at ~310hp.

STAY AWAY FROM SUNBELT CAMS!!!!!
They are extremely difficult to set up, only provide a power boost above the threshold of the guts of the motor (at 7400+ the crank is susceptible to breaking the flywheel or balancer off) and it is very easy to bend the valves due to the high lift. Safe redline on an S50/52 should be set no higher than 7200RPM.
-P

[scabzzzz]

Just put an s52 in and super charge it. Be done with it. Theres your reliability and its an easier drop in.

[mooseheadm5]

The S54 will bolt right in. The electronics are your problem. Maybe if you got one from a Z3, you would be in business. That would be your best shot, especially since you would have an exhaust that would be closer to fitting. The redline would be lower (good for longevity!) and it would "only" make 315HP stock, but that can be upped with a different intake and programming.
-Paul

[pnosker]

The S52 has hydraulic lifters. That doesn't mean it's any less of an M motor. Just that you don't have to adjust the lifters every so often. And you won't have bearings blow up inside the motor.

Plus the M Equivalent to the M50 is the S50, which was only sold in 1995 I think. The S52 Euro was not much better than S52 USA, despite what people say. It achieved higher HP ratings, but torque was pretty similar, and lifters had to be adjusted quite frequently. S52 USA + M50 mod and cams gets you pretty close to S52 euro.

[windnsea00]

Originally Posted by pnosker

The S52 has hydraulic lifters. That doesn't mean it's any less of an M motor. Just that you don't have to adjust the lifters every so often. And you won't have bearings blow up inside the motor.

Plus the M Equivalent to the M50 is the S50, which was only sold in 1995 I think. The S52 Euro was not much better than S52 USA, despite what people say. It achieved higher HP ratings, but torque was pretty similar, and lifters had to be adjusted quite frequently. S52 USA + M50 mod and cams gets you pretty close to S52 euro.

Bearings don't blow up...that was an issue with early build S54's due to a bad source for parts. I believe your speaking of the S50B32 (there was no euro S52). Lifters are adjusted every 60k miles...not that big of an issue IMO.

[pnosker]

S50 "euro" had a different exhaust manifold, larger MAF I believe. Google "S50 Euro." And yes, that's true. Get a late model S54.

[roadrash]

Wow... this thread is almost 2 and a half years old. LOL

[JunpoweR]

I been looking at S54 and S52 swaps for my 96 M -tech.
From the sound of it I might just sell the S54 swap =(
Is there any way to make it drive by cable?
Also someone was telling me a stand alone computer won't run the dual vanos systems? now what? what motor comes out of the 2002 330CI ? I might just find one of those motors and a 5 speed if it is easier.

[chrisbec]

Originally Posted by JunpoweR

I been looking at S54 and S52 swaps for my 96 M -tech.
From the sound of it I might just sell the S54 swap =(
Is there any way to make it drive by cable?
Also someone was telling me a stand alone computer won't run the dual vanos systems? now what? what motor comes out of the 2002 330CI ? I might just find one of those motors and a 5 speed if it is easier.

OH come on, where is your sense adventure and wanting to conquer a little challenge. Pioneer this mod for us and many will follow in your footsteps...

330 gets 3.0L M54, dual vanos all aluminum engine. Would be a sweet engine in the ti IMO. However, the S50 would be a better choice and would have a little more power output and probably cost less to swap.

[Philly]

theres a reason you dont see everyone dropping in S54's in E36's... its not an easy task. There is a guy on BF's you has - or started, swapping it in but he got snagged up and left it incomplete for awhile, ive never looked for the update.

Stick with the tried and true - go for an E36 engine.

Couldn't agree more with whoever said go for an M52 and build from there... if it blows up, another can be found for cheap. You could have 3 m52's for the price of one decent S52.

[Alex Lipowich]

http://www.abloriginalparts.com/pb/w..._e87080d7.html

Production for the DBW delete I hope to have online in the next week or so, expecting some prototypes of the CNC parts I need VERY soon.

have several customers up and running, we're just trying to fine tune the code so its really safe and streetable.

Projected cost for the harness, dme, dbw delete and basic sensors is hopefully between 3000 and 3500..... we'll see how complete the kit can be made to that price point.

TI's LOVE Euro motors too, have seen quite a few like that, and they rock.

Stay tuned, I have more details on M3F, but don't want to waste bandwidth here... been a while since I posted here, so this may not be welcome.

Alex.

[hoveringuy]

Originally Posted by Alex Lipowich

http://www.abloriginalparts.com/pb/w..._e87080d7.html

Production for the DBW delete I hope to have online in the next week or so, expecting some prototypes of the CNC parts I need VERY soon.

have several customers up and running, we're just trying to fine tune the code so its really safe and streetable.

Projected cost for the harness, dme, dbw delete and basic sensors is hopefully between 3000 and 3500..... we'll see how complete the kit can be made to that price point.

TI's LOVE Euro motors too, have seen quite a few like that, and they rock.

Stay tuned, I have more details on M3F, but don't want to waste bandwidth here... been a while since I posted here, so this may not be welcome.

Alex.

Bump for a very knowledgeable guy.