thinking about replacing engine in my car, couple questions

[ceniack]

So I am in the process of looking for an engine for my car (another S52) and I have a couple of questions.

1st, the engine I have found is from a 99 M3 (my car is a 96) is there anything different between the two engines (I know they are both OBDII).

Also, I am trying to make a parts list of things I should go ahead and replace while the engine is out of the car.

So far all I can think of is:

Gaskets (all of them I can get to without tearing down the engine such as front and rear main seals, etc...)
heater hoses
water pump (i just put a new one in my car not too long ago)
clutch (possibly, going to assess the health of the one in my car now)
flex disk
engine and transmission mounts?

any other preventative stuff I should do?
I am going to check the oil pump nut but can't think of anything else.

performance things are not in the cards at this time, so please don't suggest a race clutch/lightweight flywheel (unless those things end up needing replaced anyway)

Also, any good how to threads on doing this? I havn't swapped motors on a car since my old s13 240sx.

Thanks

[Junk]

Pretty sure the motors will be the same.

Might want to do trans input shaft seal.. shift selector seal..(along with new clutch bearings) .that way you won't have to remove the engine/trans for awhile hopefully..

Shifter bushings if they feel sloppy, but definately the foam button inside the shift selector coupling (comes with a new coupling if you buy the whole thing, or you can buy it seperate if your coupling looks good)

I left engine and tranny mounts out, partly because they are easy to get to later and partly because I'm not sure which ones I'll need/want.

FWIW my 117k mile clutch disc, was definately worn. The edges were measurably more worn than the inside of the disc. The stock dual-mass looked worn to me, so rather than resurface it, and still potentially have worn springs/gears or dried up lube inside, I went with a ebay/f1 ltw flywheel as maintenance item. Haven't driven on it yet so I can't comment on it.

[CMG]

Out of curiousity, why are you swapping rather than rebuilding? The swap is pretty straightforward and similar to what you did in your s13.

[ceniack]

going to keep the current motor I have and do a full build on it. Can't afford to have the car down for more than a week or two.

Always nice to have spare parts, lol

[olemiss540]

No input, besides that your hellrot looks amazing in that pic....

[RRSperry]

If you are going to rebuild the current engine, then go ahead and just swap it out.

If you were replacing it, I'd change the oil pump, and very carefully check the oil pump pick up tube, and do the nut. I might also check the rod bearings before you put it in the car.