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I have a 02’ 330xi here with a ceased motor, I just scooped up a low mileage 328ci with a trans and ECM, I was going to plain out swap that right in and hope for the best but I have to swap the basepan and I’ll have the motors down to the cranks, so I was thinking since they are both the same m54 block and I already have the valve train off the other motor could I possibly take the crank and piston rods out of the b30 and swap them along with the valve train into the b28 to just essentially make another b30?? I’m fine doing my own work and it’s a great time to refresh everything in the motor.
Any input is appreciated
Last edited by Newfyguy9; 12-16-2020 at 01:08 AM.
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The 328ci you bought doesn’t have an m54 motor. The m54 only came in two configs, 2.5 and 3.0, and they are the same block, but different crank. The pre facelift e46 328i/ci are m52tu motors which are closer to the e36 m52 than the dual Vanos m54. So the swap will be complicated either way.Originally Posted by Newfyguy9
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Actually, the M54 engine was build as a 3liter, a 2.5 liter and as a 2.2liter. The US received only the 3liter and the 2.5liter engines.
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So is a m52tu swap feasible if Have a ECM?
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The electronic differences between the M52 and M54 engines is pretty significant. The M52 uses a throttle by wire but with a throttle cable as a back up. The M54 has just the throttle by wire. Some early M52s have single VANOS while all M54s have dual VANOS. The engine computers (DMEs) are different as are the engine wiring harnesses. There are likely additional differences that would make a step unreasonable.
Balogne Cajones
M52 is single vanos.
M52tu is double vanos
Better off just getting a replacement engine.
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Firstly, don't post your phone number and Email address on a public post. The scammers just love you for doing it. We use private messages to share that sort of information, where you can vet us a lo more before deciding to provide the information or not.
Have a look at the front of the valve covers on both engine. If they are the same, then you have a M52TUB28 2.8 L engine. If they are not the same, then you have a M52B28 2.8 L engine which is of no use to you.
The M52TUB28 was the Beta for the M54 engine. The blocks and heads are virtually identical.
If you have a M52TUB28 engine, then you can pop it right into your car after you have change the oil pump feed and oil pan from your Xi. Use your Xi DME, exhaust and inlet manifolds. The car will run just fine.
If you really want to, you can install the M54B30 rotating assembly into the M52TUB28 and make it a 3.0 L engine. This is an expensive exercise compared with just dropping the M52TUB28 into the car. The gasket kit alone is expensive, without considering time-serting the block.
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.
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I’m gonna start off by saying I thought the same thing as soon as I re read what I posted when I checked it today, definatly wasn’t my smartest idea putting my number and email on the interwebs 😂 believe I have the m52tub28 so I am going to do the swap. When I have the pan off the other motor I’ll also take out the crank and connecting rods for if I ever have to rebuild the motor or something, Thank you taking the time to write up apply your help is greatly appreciated 👍🏼
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OK, so go back to your first post in this thread and delete the contact information.
Good luck with the swap.
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.
Member
Sell the b28 and get a b30. You’re not gonna get this to work.
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