S54 swap into E36 M3 sedan.

[PITT M3 RR]

is there a specific how to on the wiring yet?

[DarkSideofWill]

Your background may be in small block huge cube LS1's and T56 tractor transmissions with double over drive. Matter of personal preference.

If you actually look at the T56 ratios, you'll see that the T56 has the lower ratios far closer together than a 420G and does a *MUCH* better job at keeping the engine on the boil in the lower gears.

[OnUrleft]

Wow. Just wow. These S54s are monsters now that the code is being cracked.

Exactly. It's really a matter of who has the capabilities to calibrate the factory ECU's the best on the dyno.

It's really a piece of cake to get 330whp out of a bolt on S54 these days.

[Russell042]

So why did you buy two Silver M3's? Lol, i sold you my 1998 M3 with 242k.. i could've sworn that was the car you were using... im confused.

[gobuffs]

Would be nice if you had it done for when I bring ny car in to dyno on the 22nd (Love Field).

[neelvasavada]

I remember seeing s54s only making 330whp with cams like only ~3yrs ago.

We've seen big improvements in S54's just by improving our tunes. Running closed-loop knock control has been a benefit. These motors can be a bit det sensitive on individual cylinders, but as we tune them more and more, we have found power in interesting places. They seem to respond well to injector timing too, we've gone to bigger injectors and higher fuel pressures just to run shorter injection times so we can position the pulses better. Tuned in conjunction with VANOS we're very happy with continued improvements.

I remember seeing s54s only making 330whp with cams like only ~3yrs ago.

We've seen improvements in S54's as the tunes become more sophisticated. Running closed-loop knock control has been a benefit. These motors can be a bit det sensitive on individual cylinders, but as we tune them more and more, we have found power in interesting places. They seem to respond well to injector timing too, we've gone to bigger injectors and higher fuel pressures just to run shorter injection times so we can position the pulses better. Tuned in conjunction with VANOS we're very happy with continued improvements.

[309m3]

So why did you buy two Silver M3's? Lol, i sold you my 1998 M3 with 242k.. i could've sworn that was the car you were using... im confused.

Not sure what you mean this is the same car.

Picked up a new car! project may slow down a Little

[andrep6810]

Great post!

[Eric98Sedan]

car 3,400.00
engine 2,800.00
headers 125.00
bimmer pipe 285.00
active track pipe 525.00
ecu 300.00
pedal 30.00
clutch kit 500.00
wheels 320.00

total 8,255.00

That's the simple stuff. I'm still unclear as to the required "elctronic peripherals" to make this swap work in an OBD2 E36 M3.

For instance, the e-throttle assembly is required (or you get Evosport's cable conv.) but what modifications, exactly, are required (other than special tune) to stuff the S54's DME/harness into the 36 and have 100% transparency for street use?

Is the E36 DME/harness still utilized after the swap? Or is it completely replaced?

Who sells these "harness conversions" and what do they cost and what are the options? Does anyone actually have a 100% complete, stock DME (tuned), modified harness conversion "kit" ready to go?

[OptionlessM]

Thanks for more clarification/more input. The second car (FatJohn325) is utilizing the street version of the BW airbox, while mine is using the "race" without the long snout and different runners (IF I was told correctly). They look different as well. Someone should chime in to tell us the exact differences.
Regardless, it's pretty easy to see you have to sacrifice torque to make top end, which is 100% understandable for a motor like this.

I'd like to see FatJohn's car on some stepped headers or Epic's new headers coming out and a LTW FW. I think he could have some serious gains

Mr. Ed Senf (the great) who tuned my car estimated 340s with a proper header and single exhaust. I love these motors!

I'd be all over that if I wasn't moving to Commiefornia... ltw FW will be a definite move when the time comes for a new clutch.

[309m3]

Sorry guys decided to go full race car. I am turning this into a bmw cca cmod car. probably going to move the thread not sure.

[IrishRally]

That's the simple stuff. I'm still unclear as to the required "elctronic peripherals" to make this swap work in an OBD2 E36 M3.

For instance, the e-throttle assembly is required (or you get Evosport's cable conv.) but what modifications, exactly, are required (other than special tune) to stuff the S54's DME/harness into the 36 and have 100% transparency for street use?

Is the E36 DME/harness still utilized after the swap? Or is it completely replaced?

Who sells these "harness conversions" and what do they cost and what are the options? Does anyone actually have a 100% complete, stock DME (tuned), modified harness conversion "kit" ready to go?

Would like to know this too.

[Randy336]

x2

[attrack]

nuuu..dayum. just as I found it and thought I found treaure!... sub'n anyways incase you revive as I'm debating s54 conversion vs an euro m3 evo

[Da Infammus 1]

Any updates?

[hakentt]

Any updates?

it is probably one of those projects where the guy spends all this money on a swap, then is almost finished, then needs money, then tries to sell it, and can't get half of the money he put into it, ends up selling it cheap, just because he tore the interior and wanted to make it into race car...

[JCooper]

Speak for yourself^ OP owns an e90 m3 I doubt money is an issue.

[trahsub]

That's the simple stuff. I'm still unclear as to the required "elctronic peripherals" to make this swap work in an OBD2 E36 M3.

For instance, the e-throttle assembly is required (or you get Evosport's cable conv.) but what modifications, exactly, are required (other than special tune) to stuff the S54's DME/harness into the 36 and have 100% transparency for street use?

Is the E36 DME/harness still utilized after the swap? Or is it completely replaced?

Who sells these "harness conversions" and what do they cost and what are the options? Does anyone actually have a 100% complete, stock DME (tuned), modified harness conversion "kit" ready to go?

Any updates on 'add to cart' harnesses? I know this is a very niche market, and a costly swap (probably often exceeds the cost of procuring an E36). But, a factoryish E36 harness that was just PnP for this swap would be amazing.

[309m3]

Sorry guys project just slowed i will post some new pics had to do lots of research for the cage, buying tools and refreshing high school geometry.
Car is still in progress. Hopefully I can hook you guys up with a tuner that can do what everyone is wanting i should know this week.

Speak for yourself^ OP owns an e90 m3 I doubt money is an issue.

[weaksauce]

cmod will be fun with that car. keep us update don the progress.

Also, I'm local to you. Would you mind if I came by sometime to see the project and talk to you about it?

Pm me if you dont mind. Thanks!

[wanganstyle]

Any updates on 'add to cart' harnesses? I know this is a very niche market, and a costly swap (probably often exceeds the cost of procuring an E36). But, a factoryish E36 harness that was just PnP for this swap would be amazing.

This does exist and cost lots. And take a long time to order: but it's avail.

[c20flyboy]

Has anyone ever heard of simply replace the top end of the M52/S52 with an M54 top end? Just wondering if it would work much the same as an LS Special VTEC Upgrade.
Thanks, Cris

[wanganstyle]

Yes.

I put s52 cams/trays/single vanos and sensors on a m50 non vanos head and s52 bottom end

M54 head does not bolt to m50/s52 block but the cams and trays and double vanos will move over

So one can take a complete iron block longmotor and update it to doubke vanos for a super turbo friendly setup:

S52b32 (usa spec 3200cc) longmotor
+
M54b30 (usa or euro spec) cams and cam trays and double vanos+all sensors
+intake manifold of your choice


A: (ideally m54b30 with disa and electronic throttle to run original m54 ecu)

B: m50b25 intake manifold +cable throttle if you desire to run obd1 m50 bosch motronic ecu+seattle circuit dual vanos add on controller

Double vanos iron block with full mapping via can bus m54 dme for turbo will be the most potent turbo engine choice avail. Build it with TRM turbo internals for proven daily driver 500-600rwhp



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[DarkSideofWill]

Yes.

I put s52 cams/trays/single vanos and sensors on a m50 non vanos head and s52 bottom end

M54 head does not bolt to m50/s52 block but the cams and trays and double vanos will move over

So one can take a complete iron block longmotor and update it to doubke vanos for a super turbo friendly setup:

S52b32 (usa spec 3200cc) longmotor
+
M54b30 (usa or euro spec) cams and cam trays and double vanos+all sensors
+intake manifold of your choice


A: (ideally m54b30 with disa and electronic throttle to run original m54 ecu)

B: m50b25 intake manifold +cable throttle if you desire to run obd1 m50 bosch motronic ecu+seattle circuit dual vanos add on controller

Double vanos iron block with full mapping via can bus m54 dme for turbo will be the most potent turbo engine choice avail. Build it with TRM turbo internals for proven daily driver 500-600rwhp

Very interesting interchange info. My dad has an S52B32 that we will be swapping into his E30 325iX, so I'm curious about upgrade possibilities.

But an actual S54 would still be a superior turbo engine to the S52 combo...

[wanganstyle]

Very interesting interchange info. My dad has an S52B32 that we will be swapping into his E30 325iX, so I'm curious about upgrade possibilities.

But an actual S54 would still be a superior turbo engine to the S52 combo...

an actual s54 is 11.5:1 compression and 6 throttles of joy to turbocharge; I love s54 myself but have seen many more high power 500/600-1, 000rwhp single throttle turbocharged built units from pedestrian m50/s52 engines.

Cheaper - yes. Better? Im not sure; theoretically the s54 with crazy everything should produce the most power.

S52and m52/m54 is a good turbo motor for many other reasons- the mild cams and lower compression and smaller bores allows for turbocharging happily- same reasons m52 is so happily boosted in stock original form.

m52 with 84mm bores are theoretically more stable with equal fasteners and sealing under high boost than 87.0mm s54 or even 86.4mm s52 bores.

s50 family engine+ Studs and o ring head+ oem head gasket has been proven locally in the bay area to 1000rwhp and low 9's in 1/4 mile use

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