E36 M50 parts compatability to an E46 m52

[Hva36]

Hi.
I have an opportunity to buy an E46 M52tub25 engine. Wondering if that would go straight on the place of an 93 E36 M50b20, with all the E36 bits and if not what parts will I need from the E46? I had a quixk search but couldn't find what I was after, though I suspect it's been asked before so I do apologise, especially of it is a stupid question haha, It is midnight here in Aus and I'm hoping for a quick answer because I don't have much time to search around and make an informed decision myself.

[bluptgm3]

The E46 M52TU drive train is far more integrated into the chassis than the E36 OBDI drive train.
Lots of S54 swaps into E36 chassis, not so many M52TU swaps. Easier to swap an S50 or OBDI converted S52 or OBDII S52 than the M52TU.
It can and has been done, but it is not plug and play.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hva36]

Ok mate, appreciate the info. My poor 96 318i is crying for a swap and I'm hanging onto this OBD1 m50 incase I need any of the drivetrain because gathering parts for a manual straight-six swap is not so straightforward in Aus.
I'll keep looking and doing more reading. Cheers

[ed323i]

It's doable, but quite a bit of electronics work.. Before considering buying the M52TU, you need to find a really good and affordable DME expert who can "dumb down" the E46 DME, so it will run without issues in older chassis...

P.S. I now remember.. Recently there was a guy who has an M52TU in his E36 and who was having trouble with the gas pedal sensor (which, in the M52TU is located in/on the throttle body). Here is the post: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...+throttle+body . Not sure if he can help you much though, because it was installed by a specialized shop.. Also use the search option of the forum to look for M52TU E36 .. Good luck!

P.P.S. Would be the easiest to try and find a wrecked E36 328i and then transfer everything at once (engine, transmission, drive shaft, differential, brakes, DME, EWS hardware, etc, etc).. Then you'll have the whole package for a low price, with some luck and patience. Would be a LOT easier than trying to install an M52TU, which I think is an engine that has more disadvantages (throttle body trouble, complex electronics, less reliable than M52) than advantages (little more torque due to dual Vanos).

[Hva36]

Although I'm eager to find something worthy of a swap, with it being my first experience, I'd much prefer to keep it simple. There's a lot to learn along the way and it seems this m52tu is not what I'm looking for. I'll take your advice and try to hang out for an M52, or a complete wreck.
Appreciate the information and your knowledge.
Cheers lads