going e36 engine, have Q's - United Bimmer Community

**Spieluhr** · 04-22-2005, 12:54 AM

hey guys, have a 7K check from insurance settlement coming my way. Gonna save some of it to pay off the monthly payments, but I was also thinking of going with a euro 3.0l M3 engine from bimmerworld.com. It seems like the best bang for the buck, and I won't have to resort to FI, cause I plan on having my car for a while.

My question is,

how much does this thing take to install? on average, just throw a ball park number out there.

Do I need to get an M3 tranny? How much can I snag one of these for? I also have an automatic, If i buy the new transmission, can I get a five speed and convert relatively easily?

Any other info/suggestions would be welcome!

**jrhaile** · 04-22-2005, 01:09 AM

Can be extensive to do an engine swap, I know because I've done it. Took about 2 days total to do it and make the thing work correctly. Make sure you have a good mechanic who will do this job correctly because it's important. My normal mechanic who is a BMW God Mechanic moved back to Cali, but if the money was right, he'd fly back up here for me to install it for you. He's a good friend of mine so he'll do anything I want pretty much.

If you plan on putting this euro engine in, you're going to WANT to change over your transmission to a manual 6spd. Again, depending on the mechanic costs will vary. My auto to 5spd swap cost me about 2500 w/UUC SSK + 350 for new LSD 3.15 differential which is also a must.

This isn't going to be just 7000k total. Labor is going to be costly (my guy would probably do it for 500-700 bucks total and probably take him a weekend. Heck I might be able to arrange him to fly to you and do it). Also, emissions in the state of WA is a bitch. Your car won't pass with that engine. There is a place in Spokane that I go to sometimes to have some custom work done that can make that engine pass emissions but again, this is costly. Call Mechanic Masters and talk to Tony Jr. 509-328-9437. They're by far the most knowledgable BMW people in the State and maybe in the whole West Coast. Seriously, call these guy and let them know your plans. They're so smart with this swap because they've done it quite a bit. I know David has been working with them on a swap. They actually did my 5spd conversion too.

Also, your car is obd2 so fitting a 3.2l engine with it's wiring is easier from what I've gathered then putting in a 3.0l obd1 engine. Your security system is already in place so the swap would probably be simplier.

Good luck man... You're better off picking up a US 3.2l motor for cheaper and converting it to OBD1, chipping it and putting in custom cams for cheaper and probably produce same amount of HP to that 3.0l 286hp.

**Spieluhr** · 04-22-2005, 01:24 AM

wow, thanks for the insight Jr. It seems like you have all the hook ups around here

!

so it seems like this process is something that would take more than the money on the way. So it seems like I am limited to a US spec M3 engine, based on that I won't be able to pass emissions and that I can't afford the OBDII euro M3 engine.

I will go get the M3 tranny conversion. Would it be bad to match an M3 5-speed to a 328 engine? it sounds like I could really benefit from the conversion, sounds like it opens up a lot of power that the auto can't put to the wheels. Can always scrounge around for cheap m3 engines later.

**Addicted?** · 04-22-2005, 01:28 AM

yeah ive been looking into the swap a lot myself. I thought hey it would be awesome to go with a euro motor. The mechanic masters james mentioned has something for around 12g that is the motor 6 speed tranny etc... everything you need... install is harder on these because it is european though trust me... me and dwrx04 are helping his cousin put a jdm b16 into his civic and everything is different than usdm... anyways i think you would be completely satisfied with an ud 3.0 or 3.2 m3 swap.. Mechanic masters in spokane quoted me at around 5000 with install for the whole swap a motor with 50-60 k on it i think tranny etc... you will need to buy a new diff which isnt that bad... check out diffsonline or a junker... if you get the us spec m3 motor it also opens up the possibility of doing it yourself.... If you are mechanically inclinded have the patients and can accept that you might mess up you might want to go that route... would be very rewarding when done... Me and dan (dwrx04) have thought about doing my swap ourselves over a week or so... save me a grand or so... but we have yet to decide, between the two of us we are capable and his grandpa can do all the wiring, so we are set there... Either way good luck with which ever swap you go with. YOu will find out the euro swap might end up costing you around 15g. haha where as us will be 5grand installed....

David

**Spieluhr** · 04-22-2005, 01:33 AM

wow, thanks david, had no idea i could go US for that cheap!

but no, I have done basic maintenance and repairs on my car, but in no way is my garage or set of tools adequate for that kind of job. plus something i would like to trust to the pros, and sounds like these guys know what they are doing

thanks agian

**jrhaile** · 04-22-2005, 01:34 AM

Np man, and I'm dead serious. I can get my guy up here to do the install. He's the best I've ever come across. Known him for awhile now and he's just flatout fantastic.

**Addicted?** · 04-22-2005, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spieluhr

wow, thanks david, had no idea i could go US for that cheap!

but no, I have done basic maintenance and repairs on my car, but in no way is my garage or set of tools adequate for that kind of job. plus something i would like to trust to the pros, and sounds like these guys know what they are doing

thanks agian

ill tell you what! this summer we can drive over together and drop our cars off, ride home with the girlfriend in either her mini or 325! meet up with james itll be swell haha

David

**Spieluhr** · 04-22-2005, 02:38 AM

its a date david. haha.

**Spieluhr** · 04-22-2005, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhaile

Np man, and I'm dead serious. I can get my guy up here to do the install. He's the best I've ever come across. Known him for awhile now and he's just flatout fantastic.

as tight as that would be dude, i don't have a garage to support that kind of install. So i don't know where I'd do it.

**catalyst** · 04-22-2005, 07:19 AM

i vote for doing a 5 speed swap (or 6 speed if you can afford it) , using your original 2.8L motor, then spending the rest on mods.. s52 cams, injectors, OBDI ecu, CAI, m50 manifold, headers, exhaust.

that will put you between around 250 - 270HP.

I bet even that will end up pushing you over your budget. i highly doubt that you will be able to do the M3 swap including a tranny and diff, that will probably push you over the limit cash wise.

Also, why do this swap to a 2.8L? sell it and pick up a 325 for less money and you will have more cash for the swap.

IMO doing this to a car that was originally a 2.8L that was running fine is a huge waste engine wise and financially.

**jrhaile** · 04-22-2005, 04:50 PM

Price Breakdown:

S52 cams = Between 600-1000 at most for cams and install
Intake - 150-200 and anyone can install this but it has to have the m50 Throttlebody too
Don't need injectors unless you turbo. The injector poundage is the same in a 2.8 and m3.
Cai - 250-350 and can install yourself
Headers - Already have stainless steel headers on the 2.8 and I see no reason for anything more.
exhaust - 600-800 bucks for a good one and will need to probably be professionally installed which won't be much
pullies - 150-200 can be installed by youself
shark injector - 350 I believe
Taking these on the highside this totals about 2900. More then enough to do a tranny conversion and add a LSD Differential if he wanted. Heck, I'd do a 6spd swap if I were him. This would be one smokin' machine :P Also don't forget the fan delete mod :P

Other awesome items which I'm getting are BAVAUTOs fuel pressure regulator, big throttlebody, 3.5 mass air flow, AA Track pipe, oil cooler, and lightweight flywheel and pressure plate.

Or you could screw all of this mods and just say fuck it and buy a damn Supercharger for about 6000 :P. Your auto would be badass with a SC haha. My goal for my car was to get everyone bolt on upgrade possible pretty much so that I'm maxing out my car's potential and then I'm going to go F/I.

**Spieluhr** · 04-22-2005, 05:58 PM

all those mods would be a hell of a lot easier to do than an engine swap, but an m3 engine is just soooo enticing. The tranny conversion is definately at the top of my list though. Don't know, I'll keep you posted, and Ill give that guy a call Jr and see what he can hook me up with.

**jrhaile** · 04-22-2005, 06:00 PM

Yeah tell them James Haile gave you their number...pronounced HAIL

haha

**Addicted?** · 04-23-2005, 12:59 PM

engine swap isnt that expensive of a mod if you go with a us spec m3 motor.... plus then you have the power of the m, probably better handling/braking (if you upgrade those parts which you should) and dont have to worry about being a teen paying insurance on an m

David

**94bmw325i** · 04-23-2005, 04:03 PM

true, but your insurance would still go up, unless you wanna be an accident and they don't know u have a different engine in it, and it's not covered....