Z3 Coupe m52tu 2.8 Swap options

[GG///M3]

I recently picked up a 99 z3 with 2.8TU motor.

I currently have a s52 collecting dust that I'm thinking about swapping into the car. What would be involved with this swap?

Another idea that came to mind was a s54 swap, but I have no clue what would be involved considering this TU motor is the ugly duckling when it comes to its ecu from what I've read.

Thanks for the info/input ahead of time.

[pbonsalb]

Aluminum m54 3.0 would be a fairly direct swap since the M52TU and M54 are both dual vanos.

[328 Power 04]

M54B30 and S52 can both be transplanted just fine.

They both would need to run on the M52tu throttle body, but it's not a big deal.
The 'ugly duckling' is just a myth with this ECU. I have made both engines run very well on this ecu.

[GG///M3]

M54B30 and S52 can both be transplanted just fine.

They both would need to run on the M52tu throttle body, but it's not a big deal.
The 'ugly duckling' is just a myth with this ECU. I have made both engines run very well on this ecu.

Why is it not possible to run the s52 tb if you swap in the harness from the s52, or is that not doable?


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[328 Power 04]

If you swap S52 harness, you will have to use the MS41 dme (older version), and you will lose cruise control and DSC functionality.

[GG///M3]

If you swap S52 harness, you will have to use the MS41 dme (older version), and you will lose cruise control and DSC functionality.

That’s not a big deal to me. I’ve driven cars with 640whp/584wtq with no dsc. 🤫


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[328 Power 04]

It's not about the dsc itself, it's about having cluster lights on that is especially annoying to me.

[GG///M3]

It's not about the dsc itself, it's about having cluster lights on that is especially annoying to me.

Yes well I’d like to know what it takes to make it all work without having a restrictive setup . What lights would be out going with an s52 setup. If it takes not having dsc, and cruise control that really doesn’t affect my driving experience at all.


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[328 Power 04]

The throttle body is not a restriction. Even the E46 Alpina B3 3.3 used the same throttle body.

Your current cluster will not be fully compatible either.

I just like the 100% compatibility and implementation, using a much better ecu. That's not to say the old harness and ecu swap may not work, but it won't be a perfect swap.

[GG///M3]

The throttle body is not a restriction. Even the E46 Alpina B3 3.3 used the same throttle body.

Your current cluster will not be fully compatible either.

I just like the 100% compatibility and implementation, using a much better ecu. That's not to say the old harness and ecu swap may not work, but it won't be a perfect swap.

What if an M coupe cluster is used instead of the TU cluster?

[e30polak]

All the swaps are pretty easy, considering all the motors were available in the z3 chassis.

[GG///M3]

All the swaps are pretty easy, considering all the motors were available in the z3 chassis.

I'm wondering what do you really lose if you do the swap with the cluster. I understand its the same chassis which one would think should make it as simple as pnp, but it seems like it isn't exactly 100% gonna work correctly. Not that I'm afraid of that.

[GG///M3]

Looks like I'm going to use the m52tu harness/ecu combo. What do I need as far as the TB mating to an m50 manifold? Also should I use all the sensors on the TU motor and move them to the s52?