Should I E46-M54 to E46-S54?
This is my first post ever.
I have a E46 02 330ci manual 5 speed I've had this car for six year and been playing with the thought of swapping to the M3 S54 engine. I know their are a few extra parts I'm going to need
Matching set of DME/EWS/Key/Ignition Tumbler/Guage ClusterM3 DriveshaftM3 Rear End (Diff/Subframe/Lower Suspension, brakes, exhaust)
Control arms
Front End Brakes (not necessary)MK60 DSC (Recommended)
6 speed shift knob
i got this information from a combination of videos i will put at the end of the post
I'd like to keep the car long term so it would be a large investment but it would also be an awesome oem sleeper.
Are there affordable OEM shortcuts (example)
-leave 330ci front brakes
-leave single muffler
should i buy a whole M3 back end? or shop? I have a lot of time for RD
how much would this cost? - all parts purchased and taken to a shop.
references:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnaZqKbvwT4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td8MgQ_3KGs&t=1188s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaS7E09A-Rg
So you are going to get a shop to do the work with you providing the parts. Sounds expensive. Most people do the work themselves.
What you need is a parts car. Hopefully a lightly damaged M3 that has been written off for a bent body frame or something.
The easy alternative is to save up a bit and buy a M3 and be done with. It will have a higher resale value.
1999 2.8L Z3 Roadster,
2000 3.0L Z3 Roadster,
There is only one thing more pleasurable than working on a Z3, that's driving it top down on a fine day.
An m3/s54 swap for a coupe is probably not worth it. Just sell your car and get an m3. The amount of work to turn a standard coupe into an m3 is more than you think. It makes more sense to build a sedan or touring model into an m3 because they never existed.
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My advice: sell the 02 and buy an M3.
I've already paid a pretty penny to keep it running... now its feeling pretty good so im going to fix some interior because it needs love .... it is a rare velvet blue only 300 of this color were painted. Yeah without being able to do it myself I dont think it will be worth it. I sure with i had a shop or a sponsor or something that would be an awesome sleeper/passion project/greasy boi.
would it make a difference if i plan to keep this car until the engine blows? no? okay.
Unless you don't maintain it the engine will last a loooong time.
You will get sick of the maintenance long before the engine goes.
Don't do the swap. Do your own work for a year or so and get to know the car.
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