98 323is S52 Swap Questions

[SwimNDrive]

Hi Guys, I have been with E36 M3 forum sometime. But haven't been on the forum for a while since my son drove off my M3 to college. It had been his M3 until he had an accident. It is now mine again with a crash front end. Before the accident, the car ran great. Engine and transmission were fixed up to as good as it could be as 220k car with a new clutch and flywheel. The engine still turned over after the crash. Because I have found a 98 323is with a blown head gasket, but the body is still in a very good shape, I am thinking about swapping my m3 into this 98 323is as much as I can. It should be a fun summer project for the father and son.

That said, after reading some the threads, I have some ideas of what the project would look like, but still have a few questions. Hopefully someone here has done it can help us out.

The 98 323is has a auto tranny in it. My m3 is a 97 and has a 5 speed stick. I want to put the S52 and 5 speed tranny in that 323is. Is there enough room for this swap? When I take out the S52 and 5 speed tranny, can I keep the tranny intact with the engine? and swap them in as one piece?

Since 323is exhaust is single pipe down there, does it have enough room below for the M3 dual pipe exhaust or we would need to do some modification to it?

With head blown gasket, can I still get EWS alignment done for M3 DME at a shop? (the 323is can still drive in short distance)

Thanks in advance.

[jagerking]

All the answers to your questions are yes; the E36 chassis is not different between any models, so it is built from the factory to accept any engine/transmission. The exhaust will also swap over with no issues. And yes, you can do it while the engine and transmission are still mated (I'd recommend it). Lastly, if you simply swap your white EWSII module from behind the glovebox, and the chip from inside the key, you won't have to worry about any immobilizer issues. You'll have to swap your M3's DME into the car to make it run (I'd recommend using the M3's wiring harness too), so the only missing pieces to get EWSII to function are the white module and the key-chip. Very simple swap. If the suspension/brakes are okay, I'd recommend transferring all of the M3's bits over to the 323 as well.

[SwimNDrive]

......Lastly, if you simply swap your white EWSII module from behind the glovebox, and the chip from inside the key, you won't have to worry about any immobilizer issues. You'll have to swap your M3's DME into the car to make it run (I'd recommend using the M3's wiring harness too), so the only missing pieces to get EWSII to function are the white module and the key-chip. Very simple swap. If the suspension/brakes are okay, I'd recommend transferring all of the M3's bits over to the 323 as well.

Good to hear all these. I am planning to swap everything that is M spec to this 323is as long as they are in working order. I was told, while the S52 is out, may as well have a valve job done to it since it is hi mile engine. I will also consider that.

How to swap the key-chip? I can google it and see if I can get any DIY on this

Thanks a lot for the info

[SwimNDrive]

Few more questions. After swapping, do I need to do any paper work with DMV? Will dmv consider this car as a rebuild? Is there any inspection besides of SMOG need to be done in order to put it back to operation status? Will I have any issue with my car insurance company?

[jagerking]

Those questions all vary from state to state. You'll have to look into local regulations to determine the answers.

[XnWarden]

Swapping the motor will require a ews alignment or deletion.

[Team Neverlift]

Few more questions. After swapping, do I need to do any paper work with DMV? Will dmv consider this car as a rebuild? Is there any inspection besides of SMOG need to be done in order to put it back to operation status? Will I have any issue with my car insurance company?

It appears that you are in California so you will need to have the motor BAR'd in order for it to be smog legal. Basically a certified inspection must be done to go over the motor swap, this is done by the Board of Air Resources (BAR). The chassis will then receive a certification sticker, and will contribute to a much higher value (resale). You can always pay for ways around this, but it is worth the effort if the car is to remain in CA. As soon as the new M3 computer is plugged into the state system, it should throw a red flag even if the visual inspection performed by the person doing the smog goes off without any problems. Also something to consider, the M3's catalytic converters, and all smog related components will need to be used to pass visual.

[FiberFast]

It appears that you are in California so you will need to have the motor BAR'd in order for it to be smog legal. Basically a certified inspection must be done to go over the motor swap, this is done by the Board of Air Resources (BAR). The chassis will then receive a certification sticker, and will contribute to a much higher value (resale). You can always pay for ways around this, but it is worth the effort if the car is to remain in CA. As soon as the new M3 computer is plugged into the state system, it should throw a red flag even if the visual inspection performed by the person doing the smog goes off without any problems. Also something to consider, the M3's catalytic converters, and all smog related components will need to be used to pass visual.

The engines are externally identical.
You will not get the imaginary red flag for the dme. The carb board does not identify the dme, only that the dme is working and there are no codes. You do not need a carb sticker unless you are swapping to a newer motor (something after 1999) you are not allowed to put and older motor in the car and if you put a newer series engine in the car it must have all the emissions equipment. The carb board clearly states that you can swap engines from the same make and model. So if you want to put a 98 m3 in a 325 that's fine, if you want to put it in a 318 you would need certification.

[SwimNDrive]

The engines are externally identical.
...... You do not need a carb sticker unless you are swapping to a newer motor (something after 1999) you are not allowed to put and older motor in the car and if you put a newer series engine in the car it must have all the emissions equipment. The carb board clearly states that you can swap engines from the same make and model. So if you want to put a 98 m3 in a 325 that's fine, if you want to put it in a 318 you would need certification.

I am planning to put an engine from 97 M3 (production date is actually Dec 96) into a 98 323is (production date is Feb 98). It sounds like that I am not allowed to do this. My 2nd option will be to put this M3 engine into a 97 328is (production date is Dec 96). The problem with this 328is is the interior is bad and the color does not match the good stuff I have on my M3, so it will be harder to replace the interior, especially the dash. I need to give a 2nd thought about this before starting. Thank you for the information though.

[jagerking]

Swapping the motor will require a ews alignment or deletion.

As is the standard on this forum, someone chimes in with pure-shit advice. If you don't know what you're talking about, don't say anything at all. It's not that hard. Especially since the topic on EWS has been asked, answered, and resolved.

[SwimNDrive]

Hi Jagerking, if I swap the whole ignition lock assembly, I will not need to swap the key-chip, right? That way I may be able to use my keys for the other car. My keys are newer and have light in it. I hate to cut it out.

[SwimNDrive]

After reading the emission rules on BAR website, I am just wondering is the exhaust system in 98 323is any better than the one in 97 m3? If not, as long as I swap the whole M3 exhaust over, should that be an issue? In the worst case, i will get a new Cat. I think I need to talk to one of those smog referees.

[FiberFast]

I am planning to put an engine from 97 M3 (production date is actually Dec 96) into a 98 323is (production date is Feb 98). It sounds like that I am not allowed to do this. My 2nd option will be to put this M3 engine into a 97 328is (production date is Dec 96). The problem with this 328is is the interior is bad and the color does not match the good stuff I have on my M3, so it will be harder to replace the interior, especially the dash. I need to give a 2nd thought about this before starting. Thank you for the information though.

Technically no, practically yes. If both cars are obd2 late model engines you won't be able to tell the difference between them. Might want to ditch the m power cover though.

[SwimNDrive]

The VIN# shown on the door will be different with what the smog computer will read from the DME. I would rather to keep everything legal so no issue down the road. Just need to pick the right shell to swap my engine in it. I think I can find one.

[jagerking]

Hi Jagerking, if I swap the whole ignition lock assembly, I will not need to swap the key-chip, right? That way I may be able to use my keys for the other car. My keys are newer and have light in it. I hate to cut it out.

You could do that if you want to, but then you'll have an ignition key that isn't the same as the doors/glovebox/trunk. You'd have to swap all of those cylinders as well to make one key open all the locks on the car. Swapping the key chip takes only a few minutes and is very easy to do. The rule of EWSII is this, all must match: DME, white module (behind the glovebox),and key chip. There is antenna ring around the ignition, but it just reads the key, it is not coded.


After reading the emission rules on BAR website, I am just wondering is the exhaust system in 98 323is any better than the one in 97 m3? If not, as long as I swap the whole M3 exhaust over, should that be an issue? In the worst case, i will get a new Cat. I think I need to talk to one of those smog referees.

The M3 exhaust is far superior to the 323 exhaust; the M3's is true-dual piped all the way back, where the 323 has a Y-pipe and is a single pipe from just after the manifold all the way back, so you'll certainly want the one off the M3.

[scooper]

can you just replace the fenders and front end without swapping chassis? or are the frame rails bent? Else everything swaps over, but you'll need to swap over all the EWS related stuff- DME, module, ignition ring. You'll need to re-wire for the auto to manual swap assuming you keep in the internal wiring on the 323is. You are a good dad! I've done this swap before but only on an obd1 car.

[SwimNDrive]

can you just replace the fenders and front end without swapping chassis? or are the frame rails bent? Else everything swaps over, but you'll need to swap over all the EWS related stuff- DME, module, ignition ring. You'll need to re-wire for the auto to manual swap assuming you keep in the internal wiring on the 323is. You are a good dad! I've done this swap before but only on an obd1 car.

I think the driver side frame rail was bent a little. Fixing it may cost more and end up with a salvage title car. I can get a clean title car with an over heated engine for cheap, but with a straight body and the paint is some what better than the one we have. I don't mind spend more time on this. it should be a fun project. I think I will end up with a better car this way.

How much effort involves for rewiring auto to manual? I thought the engine harness swap would take care of that, right?

Back to emission question. Some one told me if the two cars emission sticker numbers have the same number, even if the engine is from earlier year, CA smog referee would let me do the swap. I found one emission sticker on each suspension towers. One says EMISSION SERVICE ACTION COMPLETED ECM REPROGRAMMING CAMPAIGN NO. 98E-A01 DEALER CODE NO. XXXX (could not read it) and the other one says EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN COMPLETED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAMPAIGN NO 99E-A01 DEALER CODE NO. XXXX. Any body has any information on this?