S54 (e46 m3) engine in an e36 m3

[zackzimm47]

I posted this thread in the e36 questionboard as well, so I apologize for that but I need as many answers and views as I can get. Anyway:

My plan is to create my dream car. I love the staggering 333 hp the s54 engine pumps out, but I'm not too crazy on the body style of the e46. I currently have an e36 m3, stock but peake performance chipped. Anyways, do you all think it'd be worth it for me to try to pay for a s54 and pay a mechanic to install that engine inside of an e36 m3 body? What's the estimated cost? Would it be just as fast as an e46 m3? Most importantly, would it be reliable and last me a while?

[aaronfannie40]

In a nutshell yes you could do it, but NO it would not be reliable. I worked on an e36 with an s54 dropped in it. I was doing a vanos and exhaust hub installation. The owner called us and he was getting all sorts of random codes and he had already put alot of time and money into the vehicle, after the vanos install codes were still there

I think it would be badass if it was a project that was on the side but I dont think you would want to do it as a daily driver

[joey79]

I wouldn't want to see the mechanic's bill for that job.

I would rather spend the money on a clean euro-spec 3.2L m3.

[sjpgoalie]

~10k, probably around seven or eight if you did it yourself.. Have you driven a fully mod'd s52 and a relatively stock S54? They feel pretty damn close, the S54 just has a longer powerband. It's not really worth it. Maybe when prices come down on the motors, but you can buy an S52 and build it to low 300s at the crank for less than what you'll pay for an s54 itself. And S52s are just as reliable as an m50 lol. Burn a water pump out on an S54...few hundred bucks just for the part. More sensors and it bogs down when pretty much any single one dies. They have vanos issues, some came with sprocket bolts that were too soft, they need valve adjustments, etc. Lots of problems and very little gain over an FBO/cam'd s52 for an extra thousand rpms.

[zackzimm47]

I wouldn't want to see the mechanic's bill for that job.

I would rather spend the money on a clean euro-spec 3.2L m3.


Where and how could I find a euro e36 m3? I would love that...

[ChuckDizzle]

Where and how could I find a euro e36 m3? I would love that...

Lots of $$$$$$$