First BMW and bought it for a swap

[Matt330LS]

Been looking for a swap vehicle for awhile, and lurking here while doing so. I always liked the E46 platform so I picked up an 01 330Ci 5 speed a few months ago. A couple weeks ago I got around to finding a motor. Ended up with a LQ4 complete for $350. Engine had an oiling issue and a solid low end knock from what I was told. Long story short I pulled the motor apart and there was a spun main on the #2 journal. Crank is iffy and block is salvageable so it's at the machine shop now. Going NA 408 backed with a T56 and a M3 rear and subframe ultimately. Looking forward to all the learning I'm going to do here.

Swap volunteer


Engine as I got it


Down to long block


Lifter/cam damage from oil starvation


#2 main journal


#2 crank journal

[Tim Mc]

Cool engine damage! The cam groove is impressive.

[jalopi]

you must be getting a killer deal on your machine work, i'd guess a line bore + crank weld/grind would be more expensive than buying a new longblock

[Matt330LS]

you must be getting a killer deal on your machine work, i'd guess a line bore + crank weld/grind would be more expensive than buying a new longblock

About average on the cost around here from what I can tell. Line bore on the block is $150. I kicked around the idea of just buying a new or reman block, but I think I'll still come out for less once all the work is done. Either way I'd have to bore it .030, have new bearings installed, and true the deck. So the only extra cost of reusing this one is a thorough cleaning and line bore (unless I'm missing something in my calcs). I scrapped the crank and will just be buying a new 4" stroker.

[screamin88]

This will be a fun car. Yeah, I like having the local guys machine and build my stuff. You know what you're getting that way. What do you plan on doing for heads?

[Matt330LS]

For now stock aluminum 317 castings. Upgraded rocker trunions and dual springs for up to .660" lift. Cam will be around a .610/.598 ish.

[Matt330LS]

So progress is slow but steady for now. On a side note, the dowel pin from the starter will hang up the entire trans on the 330. I figured that out after a long fight trying to pull the trans out after I unbolted everything...

[Matt330LS]

Trans out
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Engine out
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Engine bay waiting to be cleaned
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[Matt330LS]

More progress after a surgical hiatus. Engine is about a 75% solution, I've test fit it and like everyone else's it's tight on the driver's side. Trimmed the shield by the ABS. Now I'm pulling the rear interior since this is going to be street and road course eventually. Don't need the rear seats and it'll save weight. So if any of you are looking for OEM parts, I might have it in a pile in the garage.

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[Matt330LS]

Project still rolling along, although not under its own power yet unfortunately.

Gas tank is gone and fuel cell installed:
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Went ahead and stripped the interior completely, not just the back:
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Did that to make room for a cage. Was going to to with a four point so I could mount harnesses, then add to it later. Was advised against that "incremental" approach to the main cage so we did a 6-point with door bars and wheel intrusion bars in the driver footwell:
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Trimmed the dash to fit around the cage and test fit last night. Came out pretty good. Now I get to take it back out and continue thinning unnecessary wiring and removing brackets, tabs, and other bits that I don't need.

[Matt330LS]

No new pics but got some parts ordered. Turner aluminum subframe mounts and adjustable rear LCA delivered. New RTAB and limiters along with new rear upper control arm bushings inbound. Next is new front LCAs and bushings and the electronics for the engine. Plenty of work left to do, but it's slow going for now.