BMW of Bloomfield
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 37

Thread: M3 S54 + 6spd swap, CA smog legal

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5

    M3 S54 + 6spd swap, CA smog legal

    SOLD

    *Smog-legal* S54 6-speed swap. 117k mi on chassis, 101k on motor. I've put large amounts of time and money into this car to make it something unique. Everything works - A/C, cruise, DSC with M-Track mode, etc. Drives & looks stock to someone not familiar with the E36.















    Some build info available at https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ap-98-M3-sedan

    Engine
    -S54 from a 2003 E46 M3
    -block cleaned & repainted
    -rod bearings replaced (OE)
    -oil pump nut tack welded
    -cooling system overhaul w/Z3m S54 radiator and oil cooler
    -E36 M3 euro radiator cover
    -SPAL puller fan with custom mount
    -E46 PWM fan controller used with stock E36 aux fan

    Chassis
    -replaced every front & rear suspension bushing/ball joint
    -x-brace
    -SSI underpanel
    -reinforced front subframe
    -replaced subframe mounts
    -reinforced rear swaybar tabs
    -rebuilt E46 ZHP rack
    -Eibach springs & sways
    -Koni SA dampers
    -camber plates
    -BBS RS-GT wheels
    -new rear wheel bearings on 7/24/2018

    Transmission
    -Getrag G420 6-speed from 2003 E46 M3
    -E36 M3 euro 6spd transmission crossmember
    -weighted ZHP 6-speed shift knob
    -new clutch and flywheel
    -new custom driveshaft with serviceable U-joints

    Brakes
    -rebuilt & repainted calipers
    -braided brake lines
    -brass caliper guide bushings
    -full E46 DSC MK60 retrofit with M-Track mode enabled

    Body/lighting
    -HID projector retrofit with drilled inner lenses
    -Canadian daytime running light relay (can be switched off)
    -clear front/side/rear markers
    -E36 M3 euro SMG washer tank (mounted behind bumper cover)

    Interior
    -power & heated front seats
    -E46 M3 cluster (fully functional with check control, outside temp, MPG reading, etc)
    -OBC delete
    -3-spoke steering wheel re-wrapped in fresh leather with tri-color //M stitching
    -E39 steering wheel MFL buttons that work with headunit and cruise control
    -ASC switch wired to MK60 DSC
    -2nd ASC switch labeled “S” wired to DME sport mode
    -climate controls relocated to OBC spot
    -dual-DIN touchscreen Sony headunit with Bluetooth and Carplay/Android Auto capability for music/navigation
    -USB port for phone connection
    -MB Quart component front speakers
    -PPI amp
    -subwoofers mounted in place of rear speakers (nothing crazy but sounds much better than stock without sacrificing trunk space)
    -HomeLink mirror with garage door remote and “clown nose” alarm LED

    Other stuff
    -the motor makes a ticking noise that I have not been able to track down. It is *not* a rod bearing issue and I’m confident it will not cause a catastrophic failure. I’ve driven thousands of miles with no issue.
    -the front tires are worn on the inside edge from a combination of too much camber and too much toe
    Last edited by gpeterson; 08-12-2018 at 10:20 AM.
    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Rogers AR
    Posts
    4,426
    My Cars
    1995 BMW M3
    Have any more pictures?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Atlanta, GO DAWGS
    Posts
    2,049
    My Cars
    88M3,95M3,04M3-LSB E39M5
    Did you fix the tic/knock?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    gilbert,az
    Posts
    203
    My Cars
    86 el camino, 95+98 m3
    Dream car

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Delmar, NY
    Posts
    126
    My Cars
    1999 Mustang Cobra SVT
    This is impressive.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Red Bank, NJ
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2016 Exomotive Exocet
    I hope my track car sells asap, interested in any trades??

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Quote Originally Posted by lbennyboobool View Post
    Have any more pictures?
    I've got part of the interior disassembled for the E46 cluster install, will post photos when I get it back together.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by KDAWG97M3 View Post
    Did you fix the tic/knock?
    No, but others who have heard it in person don't seem to be concerned. I've driven quite a bit and had no issues.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by BimmerVin View Post
    I hope my track car sells asap, interested in any trades??
    Sorry, not interested in trades.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    226
    My Cars
    98 M3/4
    yea what was the deal with the engine? I remember seeing it on craiglist a while ago and getting somewhat excited and then reading about the engine knocking. Now that's gone from the description but you haven't done anything to change it? I would be an interested buyer if nothing is wrong with the engine.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Quote Originally Posted by M8 > * View Post
    yea what was the deal with the engine? I remember seeing it on craiglist a while ago and getting somewhat excited and then reading about the engine knocking. Now that's gone from the description but you haven't done anything to change it? I would be an interested buyer if nothing is wrong with the engine.
    It is more of a ticking, definitely not rod knock. It is still there and I have not tracked down the cause but am confident it is not something catastrophic.
    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

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Now that the E46 M3 cluster is in I was able to code M-Track mode on the DSC module and see (at least visually) that it works. It took about 5min following the instructions at http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=371119.
    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

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Oahu / Los Angeles
    Posts
    1,011
    My Cars
    S54 E36
    This CARB swap is in my future.

    GLWS and worth every penny, don't let the lowballers get you down!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Quote Originally Posted by golgo13 View Post
    This CARB swap is in my future.
    The future can be yours if you buy my car.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Price dropped, more pictures added.

  14. #14
    joenationwide's Avatar
    joenationwide is offline Makes Cars Dance BMW E36 M3 Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Leesburg, Virginia
    Posts
    4,210
    My Cars
    95 M3 (GTS2), 99 M3
    Good god almighty. What a gem!
    If I didn't have two E36M3s I should be selling, I would strongly consider making the road trip from CA to VA.
    GLWS!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Oahu / Los Angeles
    Posts
    1,011
    My Cars
    S54 E36
    Quote Originally Posted by gpeterson View Post
    The future can be yours if you buy my car.
    That's true lol

    I've got too many toys and the timing isn't right, but good luck to you regardless!

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Bump, lots of expensive E36 M3s in northern CA right now - https://sacramento.craigslist.org/se...title_status=1
    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

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Rogers AR
    Posts
    4,426
    My Cars
    1995 BMW M3
    so much lust with all of those cars!! i'm really surprised yours hasn't sold!

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Quote Originally Posted by lbennyboobool View Post
    so much lust with all of those cars!! i'm really surprised yours hasn't sold!
    Me too! I've only had one person come to see it.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    TC
    Posts
    150
    My Cars
    '98 M3
    PM sent

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    2 videos showing I'm confident the ticking will not cause catastrophic failure:

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis..._b223-2FSoWgrh

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    A few more photos as well, I finished the radio bezel and IKHA relocation is show:

    http://e36-electronic.com/photos/98E36S54/
    Last edited by gpeterson; 06-10-2018 at 08:47 PM.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    2,029
    My Cars
    2016 M3 Manual
    Unbelievable build. What's next for you?

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Quote Originally Posted by Lawrence1 View Post
    Unbelievable build. What's next for you?
    Thanks! You actually drove the car long before I did the swap. I had some Bilsteins for sale at the time.

    I'm looking at an E60 M5 next.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    2,029
    My Cars
    2016 M3 Manual
    I was wondering if this was the car given the location. To whomever is considering this, the seller is a stand up guy. and this looks like a great build with incredible attention to detail. Good luck with the sale!

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern CA
    Posts
    1,988
    My Cars
    1998 M3/4/5
    Drove to SF today, amazing freeway MPG for something so fun.


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Are any turbo's/Supercharger's Smog legal?
    By mens rea in forum Forced Induction
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 09-07-2003, 02:59 PM
  2. What makes the Schrick manifold non-smog legal?
    By Catfish in forum 1996 - 2002 Z3 (E36/7, E36/8)
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 07-03-2003, 02:31 PM
  3. Will an EVO 3.2L motor swap pass CA smog?
    By Tai Pham in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-16-2003, 02:41 AM
  4. Bring to Smog referee or Illegal smog in SoCal???
    By Bimmer96 in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 12-23-2002, 06:25 PM
  5. J. Conforti Air intake & chip smog legal in CA??
    By Chongus in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-25-2002, 01:12 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
  •