S54 engine. What tranny

[Jonnyreb7]

Hey, I plan to be doing an engine swap for my 325i (e46) and wanting to put the s54 engine in it, I've tried looking at other posting and forums but not 100% sure what transmission would be best to add to the s54. Hoping to spend no more than 2-3k on the transmission. Most interested in acceleration and making sure not as much power is lost when it goes to the transmission. Any advice/ help on the nest tranny would be amazing. Also want to keep it automatic rather than manual.

[Jonnyreb7]

Also would it be possible to add a turbo or supercharger to it or would I not have enough space?

[lbennyboobool]

It seems like most people do the ZF 5 speed when they are swapping into an e36 chassis. Same transmission is in the e46 330i I believe. The 420g from the e46 m3 would work or 6 speed from the 330zhp would work. Probably depends if you feel like you need or want the overdrive of a 6 speed mostly and then go from there.

[TH3 Shifty]

stock E36 M3 5 speed for me.. uses the E36 M3 clutch, everything bolts up fine

[Liquidity]

A 420g trans is only gonna set you back 1500-2000, just get that. It’s the one that belongs behind that engine anyways.

[pbonsalb]

Also would it be possible to add a turbo or supercharger to it or would I not have enough space?

People have supercharged and turbocharged the E46M3. An S54 in a non-M should be no different in fit. Look at used supercharger kits. New ones are expensive. Turbo kits are less common and more money.

It appears you have a $3k car. Are you sure you want to put $10-15k in it for a supercharged 6 speed S54 swap (and that is with you doing all the work)? Sell your car and add the $15k in mods and buy a 10 year old E92 M3 for $18k.