S50B32 Purchase/Swap

[IrishRally]

I'm considering a S50B32 purchase and swap into a '95 US spec M3.

How hard are these motors to find and how much should I expect to pay? Will it need a rebuild? How much to rebuild? Do people know how to do it properly in the US?

I read that I can use the S54 oil pump and radiator. What other components will I need to change?

How hard to find and how much for appropriate 6 speed gearbox?

Roughly how much to perform this swap in entirety?

Thank you for your wisdom.

[avusm3]

Alex @ ABL Originals can probably help you source a motor and a gear box. He found a good one that just went in my car recently.

The going rate for a good motor is $7500ish.

A total budget of $11 - 15k for the swap is realistic depending on how you do it.

Good luck,

John

I'm considering a S50B32 purchase and swap into a '95 US spec M3.

How hard are these motors to find and how much should I expect to pay? Will it need a rebuild? How much to rebuild? Do people know how to do it properly in the US?

I read that I can use the S54 oil pump and radiator. What other components will I need to change?

How hard to find and how much for appropriate 6 speed gearbox?

Roughly how much to perform this swap in entirety?

Thank you for your wisdom.

[jvit27]

How hard are these motors to find and how much should I expect to pay?

>>>Easy. abloriginalparts.com
I think the price is $7500

Will it need a rebuild? How much to rebuild? Do people know how to do it properly in the US?

>>>Doubtful. They usually come from running cars.
There are a handful of trustworthy people who can rebuild it in this country if need be.

I read that I can use the S54 oil pump and radiator. What other components will I need to change?

>>> S54 radiator from an M Coupe/Roadster (not M3)
Oil pump should not be needed.

How hard to find and how much for appropriate 6 speed gearbox?

>>>$2500-3000

Roughly how much to perform this swap in entirety?

>>> Budget about $10k. You can sell your old stuff to subsidize the project. Youll want to replace wear & maintenance items and maybe do some mods "while you're in there".

[M3 Euro LTW]

How hard are these motors to find

*** Not hard.

and how much should I expect to pay?

*** mileage is a major contributor to the cost. Low mileage examples are getting harder to come by, and generally, therefore, are more expensive to bring in...in the first place

Will it need a rebuild?

*** We all sure hope not.

How much to rebuild?

*** Depends on how you define "rebuild" naturally, as well as local labor costs and discounts you arrange to buy parts.

Do people know how to do it properly in the US?

*** Its a BMW engine, technically quite similar to an S54, so an experienced dealership with solid techs should be able to handle it as they would have easy access to the tech specs etc.

I read that I can use the S54 oil pump and radiator. What other components will I need to change?

*** They come with dual pickup pumps and pans if you're talking about the 3.2 version of a euro. Upgrade to radiator, and an exhaust from headers back are the primary differences that will "cost" ya.

How hard to find and how much for appropriate 6 speed gearbox?

*** not hard at all.

Roughly how much to perform this swap in entirety?

*** Extremely dependent on who does the work. It is beer and pizza money if you can borrow an engine hoist and invite the right friends over. Locally, I could have a whole transplant done for under $2500.

[sidewayz328is]

I have a S50B32 with 57k miles and new vanos. $5500...

[318ism44]

I need to set up a business here shipping euro m3 engines to the USA. there is a complete Euro 3.0 M3 local to me for sale for €3500 for the complete car

you should just turbo/SC the bastard. I drive a Euro M3,its fast but it's not 'lets spend $$$$ doing an engine conversion fast'

[gobuffs]

I need to set up a business here shipping euro m3 engines to the USA.

margins are thin...ask me how I know.

[3LtrdakarM3]

I need to set up a business here shipping euro m3 engines to the USA. there is a complete Euro 3.0 M3 local to me for sale for €3500 for the complete car

you should just turbo/SC the bastard. I drive a Euro M3,its fast but it's not 'lets spend $$$$ doing an engine conversion fast'

if i gave you money would you ship me over one?

[jmitro]

i bought (and still have) a euro 6 spd tranny and driveshaft from Alex.

you'll get good stuff from him.

[miketyson]

http://www.bimmerworld.com/html/e36-...ne-package.htm i found this website anyone know anything about them?.. also i'm considering purchasing a cheap higher mileage m3 and doing this swap on the cheap i hope (reusing 5 spd), is that silly/stupid? anyone know where i can get a better deal on the motor? last but not least.. wwhats the general consensus on euro 3.2 (321) vs 3.0 (286) i know that means starting with a >96 or <96 respectively but in the long run the intial cost difference is negligible so what is the better choice for maintenance, friendliness, legality, modability.. etc?

[kjb374]

Buying the motor is the easy part. Shipping it to the USA is a completely different story!! I spoke to the EPA recently about this, and it is by far not an easy task indeed! If you do not have the proper paperwork and documentation at the border, one runs the risk of comfiscation at the border and likely fines! These motors were never meant to be used here in the states due to emissions. Thereore, the EPA makes it very difficult to bring these motors over unless it is for race use only and even then you still need the proper documentation from BMW the manufacturer for importation. Believe me I have already tried!

[MIMI1]

Buying the motor is the easy part. Shipping it to the USA is a completely different story!! I spoke to the EPA recently about this, and it is by far not an easy task indeed! If you do not have the proper paperwork and documentation at the border, one runs the risk of comfiscation at the border and likely fines! These motors were never meant to be used here in the states due to emissions. Thereore, the EPA makes it very difficult to bring these motors over unless it is for race use only and even then you still need the proper documentation from BMW the manufacturer for importation. Believe me I have already tried!

Do this

YOU CANNOT SHIP TO YOURSELF, preferrably have it shipped from a company address in europe to another company address in the USA makes shit much easier. But if you have to be the one receiving no big deal just a bunch of paperwork and verification that customs needs.... read on

if you ship to your home address ....

if shipped on pallets you need the following.

Detailed description, weight and value of every component on that palet in BOTH english and another language if you ship it from other ports than UK.

Drivers license, Valid US Passport, Title of vehicle(personal affects), bill of lading, invoices from ports upon shipment and arrival.

This worked for me as I told them that getting an engine from europe was much cheaper than buying one in the states my car is a 1999 M3 and NJ Customs are a bunch of dicks.


Thats it all in all it took 22 days from shipping out of Poland to receiving in the US

[MIMI1]

I'm considering a S50B32 purchase and swap into a '95 US spec M3.

How hard are these motors to find and how much should I expect to pay? Will it need a rebuild? How much to rebuild? Do people know how to do it properly in the US?

I read that I can use the S54 oil pump and radiator. What other components will I need to change?

How hard to find and how much for appropriate 6 speed gearbox?

Roughly how much to perform this swap in entirety?

Thank you for your wisdom.

My euro 3.2

engine + tranny + shipping
8000

SuperSprint Exhaust/midsection/headers
3000

Misc pieces... new cooling system, belts, plugs, o2 sensors, little pieces here and there
2000~

labor
2500~

yea its still not there

[Dreamer99]

http://www.bimmerworld.com/html/e36-...ne-package.htm i found this website anyone know anything about them?.. also i'm considering purchasing a cheap higher mileage m3 and doing this swap on the cheap i hope (reusing 5 spd), is that silly/stupid? anyone know where i can get a better deal on the motor? last but not least.. wwhats the general consensus on euro 3.2 (321) vs 3.0 (286) i know that means starting with a >96 or <96 respectively but in the long run the intial cost difference is negligible so what is the better choice for maintenance, friendliness, legality, modability.. etc?

you can save $$$ buying this one: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1168477

[cky751]

www.bimmerworld.com

[odortiz]

www.bimmerworld.com

it looks like bimmerworld got out of the importing euro motors market.

[villagethief]

How much does a LHD harness cost?

Cheaper to go through abloriginal.com (RHD engines) or bimmerworld (LHD engines but slightly pricier)?

[LockDots]

Sorry for the thread revival, but is abloriginal out of commission? Their website isn't pulling up for me. (Could be cuz i'm at work though)

[sprytel]

I assure you that ABL is alive and kicking.
He is currently developing a number of stand alone ECU kits as well as providing the community with Euro motors.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...=newpm&u=37523

shoot him a PM if the website is experiencing problems. I just checked the website from here, and its working fine.

[fabmex]

Hi there,
I've been watching and consulting this site for a while now but unfortunately distance has limited my participation.
I dare post today because reading of this subject made me think about something.
I am the happy owner of a 1997 Euro spec M3. Some guy imported it directly even before BMW had a strong structure here in Mexico. It's in good condition and only has 54000km. Not a lot.
I am not selling it yet but was just curious if you guys thought somebody would be interested in the US, knowing it is registered in Mexico.
The thing is, I really like my baby and thinking of selling it to a real pasionate (and that's what I see here) would make me happier.

Again this is more a question than an ad since I am not in that process yet.

Honestly I am not even sure I am allowed to publish that kind of message here, so sorry if I am not, didn't have any bad intention.

[gobuffs]

Can't import it to the US legally.

[fabmex]

Mmmmh That's what I was afraid of.
So unless I find someone that's looking for a track only car or for parts to do a swap or something like this, there's no chance.

Too bad then.

[joan667]

I have a S50B32 with 26,800 km

[fahdyehia628]

i have a s50b32 with 26,800 km

wooowwww !!!

[1rdmanahan1]

I did the S50b32, six speed manual & M Z3 differential conversion into my 1982 e21 BAUR. Alex Lipowitch is the person who provided me everything including knowlage and support to see this through to the end. He really enjoys working with you and is always availive for advise and suggestion. Check out my project at http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1750815. I highley recommend Alex.

Can't import it to the US legally.

Treehouse Rcing has mastered this plug and play system for this or any other conversion. Ask for John Scidirri. They've done two for me with no complications what so ever.