M52b28 swap into E46?

[209AlexE46]

Hey guys , first time posting. I basically have a 98 e39 528i with 125k, and an e46 325ci with 200k+. I was wondering how hard would it be to swap the m52b28 into the e46. I am also planning on turboing and making the car a daily driver/drifter. Ive had this car over 2 years and have been doing a bunch of little mods to it but I'm a complete do it your selfer.. basically learned everything from youtube and from here. Any tips will help I appreciate it.

[Sleepyhead97]

Hey guys , first time posting. I basically have a 98 e39 528i with 125k, and an e46 325ci with 200k+. I was wondering how hard would it be to swap the m52b28 into the e46. I am also planning on turboing and making the car a daily driver/drifter. Ive had this car over 2 years and have been doing a bunch of little mods to it but I'm a complete do it your selfer.. basically learned everything from youtube and from here. Any tips will help I appreciate it.

Welcome! Love the m52. I'd say it's possible. What year e46?

[BimmerBreaker]

E39 528i's came with the M52 and the M52TU (and M54's in later years)
An E46 325i is an M54
M52TU is compatible with E46 - M52 is not. A 1998 528i should be an M52TU

Since the E46 is an M54, you'll want to get an M54 3.0 intake manifold/throttle body to install on the M52TU. The reason for this is the M52TU uses a cable throttle to the DBW throttle body. The M54 is completely DBW with no cable to the throttle body. The M52TU also has two fuel lines to the motor, M54 only has one, swapping the intake manifold also makes them compatible in this regard. The M54 intake manifold bolts onto the M52TU engine and will be directly compatible and allow you to use the stock E46 engine management so no electrical changes are required.

Also - I wouldn't swap a motor JUST due to mileage. I've disassembled many BMW motors and mileage has almost nothing to do with condition tbh. I've seen 250,000+ mile blocks with factory honing marks in the bores. I've seen 70k motors that were basically trash.

[hakentt]

There is already E46 with M52 variant made by Alpina

[BimmerBreaker]

That's interesting. Looks like it is likely running MS42 or MS43 engine management based on the DBW throttle body and M54/M52TU style MAF so it may be an M52 engine, but it is likely running as an M52TU/M54 just with the electronic thermostat and exhaust VANOS deleted