Page 2 of 7 FirstFirst 1234567 LastLast
Results 26 to 50 of 166

Thread: Mitch500’s s54 swap into 97 e36 m3

  1. #26
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    25,402
    My Cars
    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    Quote Originally Posted by cohny View Post
    The perpetual OBDII emissions thing is still a problem for me. I don't believe there is a simple solution for passing OBDII emissions or I would start acquiring parts for a swap myself.
    Some states age out. I think NH does not require obd2 plug in on cars over 20 years old, for example.

  2. #27
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Florida and ATL
    Posts
    8,384
    My Cars
    1999 M3 and 1990 Jetta G
    Quote Originally Posted by cohny View Post
    If you take the time to take good videos and do a compression test you can probably get decent money for an S52, enough that if you hunt for long enough you'd probably only have to spend an extra 1k on an S54. If you plan to rebuild it you don't necessarily have to find the nicest S54 in the world either, and if you keep the stock 5 speed you can save a bunch there too.

    I've found with other projects that the more time you have on your side the less money you spend. If you're the collector type and you're willing to take a long time to hunt for the parts you can probably save a lot too. I don't think this swap is even remotely close to being a rational decision, but I think the E36 is just so good it makes perfect sense to me.
    We'll see if I ever get to the point of wanting to do it for the E36. The E36 is a great car for sure and well deserving of the best inline 6 BMW has put into an M3.
    TRM Coilovers 670F/895R | BBS LM | Corsa RSC36

  3. #28
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Quote Originally Posted by DocWyte View Post
    Yeah, emissions is very dependent on state. Here in Colorado they just want to see the readiness monitors set, 2 cats, 4 O2 sensors and the SAP. So you can get away with headers and stock E36 M3 OBD2 cats.

    In fact, I doubt I'd even take it through the referree process. Unlike my previous LSx swapped 944 Turbo, an S54 swapped E36 M3 won't raise any eyebrows here at all. Just run it through as if it still had the S52...
    If you want all readiness monitors set with the S54 you would also need to run the DMTL pump and have the Z3 S54 cluster or my CAN board. The evap monitor will not set unless the pump is present *and* the DME receives certain messages over CAN.
    S54 swap DME flashing - $100
    S54 swap CAN interface board (for proper A/C & check engine light) - $275
    e36 SAP sim/secondary air pump simulator:
    $75 - standard or $170 - plug & play
    e36 post-cat O2 sims: $115 shipped, plug & play

  4. #29
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    5,343
    My Cars
    '98 M3
    Yup, in my head, my "swap" would consist of the S54 with new rod bearings and rebuilt vanos, reuse my current headers/exhaust, your CAN board with my existing cluster, Andrews harness, MZ3 harness, reuse my clutch/flywheel/5 speed/3.38 rear diff, MZ3 S54 motor mounts and a whole lotta labor....
    '03 911 Turbo 6MT fun car
    '18 Toyota Land Cruiser Daily driver/Ski Machine/Off Roader
    '15 Cayenne Diesel Wife's DD
    '17 KTM 690 "Adv" 2 wheeled Adventurer

  5. #30
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Posts
    1,600
    My Cars
    2x 97 M3/4, 05 530i
    Quote Originally Posted by DocWyte View Post
    In other words, sell your E36 M3 and just buy an E46 M3. If we were just looking at this through a cold, logic, financial stand point...

    Don't be silly. The E46 is a fat cow by comparison.

    Plus, it didn't come with 4 doors, which is most of the reason I like the e36 better.

  6. #31
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oakhurst, CA
    Posts
    6,667
    My Cars
    96 M3 97 M3 98 M3 99 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by kevinwilly View Post
    Don't be silly. The E46 is a fat cow by comparison.
    Ehhh no. Weight can be significantly shed and any additional track size is favorable to the E46. The E46 is the better car.

  7. #32
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    5,343
    My Cars
    '98 M3
    Most of the E36 M3's aren't 4 doors. The E46 really doesn't weigh all that much more than the E36 as well. You can also stuff way more tire underneath it and it comes with 100 more horsepower.

    That's not to say that we don't enjoy the E36 more than the E46. My point is only that you can literally buy a complete, running, E46 M3 for the amount of money it costs to swap an S54 into an E36...
    '03 911 Turbo 6MT fun car
    '18 Toyota Land Cruiser Daily driver/Ski Machine/Off Roader
    '15 Cayenne Diesel Wife's DD
    '17 KTM 690 "Adv" 2 wheeled Adventurer

  8. #33
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Florida and ATL
    Posts
    8,384
    My Cars
    1999 M3 and 1990 Jetta G
    Quote Originally Posted by DocWyte View Post
    Most of the E36 M3's aren't 4 doors. The E46 really doesn't weigh all that much more than the E36 as well. You can also stuff way more tire underneath it and it comes with 100 more horsepower.

    That's not to say that we don't enjoy the E36 more than the E46. My point is only that you can literally buy a complete, running, E46 M3 for the amount of money it costs to swap an S54 into an E36...
    That's where the dilema is... you gotta love your E36 if you're willing to do it. The practical side in me says that the E46 M3 route is a sensible one... I just don't like their potential subframe floor issue. That's a huge expense if you have to do it... adds up.
    TRM Coilovers 670F/895R | BBS LM | Corsa RSC36

  9. #34
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    1,433
    My Cars
    1999 BMW M3 Coupe
    Quote Originally Posted by propcar View Post
    That's where the dilema is... you gotta love your E36 if you're willing to do it. The practical side in me says that the E46 M3 route is a sensible one... I just don't like their potential subframe floor issue. That's a huge expense if you have to do it... adds up.
    None of us here are practical/sensible.

    A decent E46 M3 is absolutely a better and more cost-effective starting point for track/performance mods than an E36 M3. However, I like the E36 body style better aesthetically and at this point I've got enough time and money invested in my E36 that I don't think I'm ever selling it. When I no longer daily drive it, it just turns into a track toy.
    1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy


  10. #35
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Menlo Park, CA
    Posts
    1,796
    My Cars
    95 M3 & Legacy Manwagon
    Quote Originally Posted by TostitoBandito View Post
    None of us here are practical/sensible.

    A decent E46 M3 is absolutely a better and more cost-effective starting point for track/performance mods than an E36 M3. However, I like the E36 body style better aesthetically and at this point I've got enough time and money invested in my E36 that I don't think I'm ever selling it. When I no longer daily drive it, it just turns into a track toy.
    Yup. My E36 was decently track prepped while E46s were still 20k+ cars. By the time I decided to do an engine swap I already had a well sorted and safe car that just needed power.

    I may go down the E46 rabbit hole someday, or just hack the fenders off, cage it, and buy a truck and trailer. I don't drive it around town much anymore.
    "Fear disturbs your concentration" -Sabine Schmit

    1995 BMW M3/2/5-- S54 + Mk60 DSC, California Smog Legal (Build Thread)
    1998 BMW M3/4/5 Alpine/Modena, Z3 Rack, otherwise stock-- DD without burbles
    2017 Chevy SS, Orange Blast Metallic, 6MT -- DD with burbles

  11. #36
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Posts
    1,600
    My Cars
    2x 97 M3/4, 05 530i
    Quote Originally Posted by Braymond141 View Post
    Ehhh no. Weight can be significantly shed and any additional track size is favorable to the E46. The E46 is the better car.
    Weight can be shed for a track car. In street trim the e46 m3 is about 350-400 pounds heavier than the e36. It's true the e46 has a wider track and the ability to run wider rubber.

    It just depends on what you are going for.

  12. #37
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    5,343
    My Cars
    '98 M3
    I've been done the rabbit hole of swaps before. They always take more time and money than you anticipate. The S54 at least is BMW to BMW, so some stuff is relatively easy and largely OEM parts can be used, vs putting the LSx in my 944, where everything was custom
    '03 911 Turbo 6MT fun car
    '18 Toyota Land Cruiser Daily driver/Ski Machine/Off Roader
    '15 Cayenne Diesel Wife's DD
    '17 KTM 690 "Adv" 2 wheeled Adventurer

  13. #38
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Edmonton,CANADA
    Posts
    792
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe

    Mitch500’s s54 swap into 97 e36 m3

    The reason I decided to swap in a s54 was that I wanted something to tinker on in the winter months (7 months)....

    Also I wanted a little more power as the s52 was slow as hell.


    On a side not though! Just ordered the swap harness from Andrew last night. Just need to get the bimmer world vanos accumulator Line so I can mount my AC comp.

    Also ordered new shift linkage parts because mine we shot. I should be doing the detents this weekend, I’m a little nervous about it but I’m sure it will be fine.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by mitch500; 11-09-2017 at 06:21 PM.
    ()()===[][]===()()


  14. #39
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Posts
    1,600
    My Cars
    2x 97 M3/4, 05 530i
    If you need any help let me know. I just finished one up and I'm working on another one for my buddy. So I've got two of them in the driveway as a reference.

    Quote Originally Posted by mitch500 View Post
    The reason I decided to swap in a s54 was that I wanted something to tinker on in the winter months (7 months)....

    Also I wanted a little more power as the s52 was slow as hell.


    On a side not though! Just ordered the swap harness from Andrew last night. Just need to get the bimmer world vanos accumulator Line so I can mount my AC comp.

    Also ordered new shift linkage parts because mine we shot. I should be doing the detents this weekend, I’m a little nervous about it but I’m sure it will be fine.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  15. #40
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Edmonton,CANADA
    Posts
    792
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe
    Quote Originally Posted by kevinwilly View Post
    If you need any help let me know. I just finished one up and I'm working on another one for my buddy. So I've got two of them in the driveway as a reference.
    Awesome, thanks man!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    ()()===[][]===()()


  16. #41
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    UT
    Posts
    4,375
    My Cars
    98 M3/4/5
    Not to hijack your thread, it where does this plug go? It comes from the black box on the passenger side block
    536DBF26-1179-484B-8865-6EF91E5FBF7F.jpg
    98 Estoril ///M3 4/6
    S54 swap CSL

  17. #42
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Edmonton,CANADA
    Posts
    792
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe

    Mitch500’s s54 swap into 97 e36 m3

    Quote Originally Posted by TH3 Shifty View Post
    Not to hijack your thread, it where does this plug go? It comes from the black box on the passenger side block
    536DBF26-1179-484B-8865-6EF91E5FBF7F.jpg
    All good man,

    I think that one goes to your Mass air flow sensor. I had a longer connector that came off the black box and it seemed to me that it clipped right into the MAF.

    Either that or one goes down to the oil pan for the oil temp sensor


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by mitch500; 11-10-2017 at 08:24 AM.
    ()()===[][]===()()


  18. #43
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Edmonton,CANADA
    Posts
    792
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe

    Mitch500’s s54 swap into 97 e36 m3

    .
    Last edited by mitch500; 11-10-2017 at 08:23 AM.
    ()()===[][]===()()


  19. #44
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    UT
    Posts
    4,375
    My Cars
    98 M3/4/5
    Bingo! Oil temp sensor!!
    98 Estoril ///M3 4/6
    S54 swap CSL

  20. #45
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Edmonton,CANADA
    Posts
    792
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe
    Quote Originally Posted by TH3 Shifty View Post
    Bingo! Oil temp sensor!!
    Excellent!!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    ()()===[][]===()()


  21. #46
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Edmonton,CANADA
    Posts
    792
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe
    So I did a bit of work today. Mostly cleaning the engine bay and such as it was filthy!! Also clean up the ac compressor and power steering pump as they were caked in oil.



    Also mounted the e36 m3 engine arms


    As well cut and modified the vanos accumulator bracket. I can only get 1 bolt for the bracket to mount to the block as the angle of the accumulator is to much for the rigid Vanos Line. I might get a new hose made up at a shop in town.


    And mounted the e36 m3 ac bracket






    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    ()()===[][]===()()


  22. #47
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Kansas City
    Posts
    39
    My Cars
    E36 M3
    Can we all get together and light $100.00 bills on fire? Ill call a rap singer to help us make a music video.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bimmerman535i View Post
    Psh, if any of us were truly smart financially we wouldn't have started racing. No better way to evaporate money.

  23. #48
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Edmonton,CANADA
    Posts
    792
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe
    Removed the trans off my s52 today as I’ll be using the 5 speed for the swap. Was planning on using my dual mass flywheel and clutch but I think it’s shot. Clutch disc only measured 7mm and both flywheel and pressure plate like they have a lot of wear. Might be original for all I know. Car has 150k miles

    What do you guys think? Perhaps I’ll try the eBay single mass fx stage 2 flywheel and clutch disc from grip force.... thoughts?


    Flywheel



    Clutch friction disc



    Pressure plate




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    ()()===[][]===()()


  24. #49
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    UT
    Posts
    4,375
    My Cars
    98 M3/4/5
    the best bang for the buck, seat of pants feel, was when i did the 14lb chromolly flywheel and stage 2 F1 clutch. the faster rev and acceleration is very noticeable. plus the entire package was $530, compared to a stock clutch replacement without flywheel is just as much.. i have 30k miles on the kit and not a single hiccup. i used the fluid combo that UUC recommends with their M5 clutch system and it cleared up a lot of the chatter
    Last edited by TH3 Shifty; 11-12-2017 at 06:30 PM.
    98 Estoril ///M3 4/6
    S54 swap CSL

  25. #50
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Edmonton,CANADA
    Posts
    792
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe

    Mitch500’s s54 swap into 97 e36 m3

    Quote Originally Posted by TH3 Shifty View Post
    the best bang for the buck, seat of pants feel, was when i did the 14lb chromolly flywheel and stage 2 F1 clutch. the faster rev and acceleration is very noticeable. plus the entire package was $530, compared to a stock clutch replacement without flywheel is just as much.. i have 30k miles on the kit and not a single hiccup. i used the fluid combo that UUC recommends with their M5 clutch system and it cleared up a lot of the chatter
    Nice! Just actually ordered a fx single mass 14lb chromoly flywheel and clutch kit off eBay. Couldn’t find said f1 but they are probably the same. Did you used there supplied flywheel bolts and throw out bearing?




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by mitch500; 11-12-2017 at 06:55 PM.
    ()()===[][]===()()


Page 2 of 7 FirstFirst 1234567 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Just another boring LS swap into an E36 M3
    By squashman702 in forum Engine Conversions
    Replies: 527
    Last Post: 06-25-2020, 04:53 AM
  2. e46 m3 tranny swap into my e36 m3
    By bay707 in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 05-12-2011, 10:08 PM
  3. S54 swap into E30-E36-E46?
    By Butler in forum Engine Conversions
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 07-22-2007, 07:36 PM
  4. whos the guy with a s54 swap in his e36 m3??
    By daaaaainguyen in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 02-20-2007, 08:49 PM
  5. euro m3 motor swap into us e36 m3?
    By ptsbmw in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-25-2004, 02:52 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •