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      08-18-2015, 10:28 AM   #1
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turning an n52 z into a z4m, advice needed.

having an n52 z4 I am always looking for power, and been frustrated by trying to find out a decent supercharger that won't blow my engine, I had the crazy idea of swapping parts from a savaged z4m into mine which, believe me, would be cost efficient in the country where I'm living. So, I am looking for advice to learn what I would need to do this. I already know I have to swap the engine, ecu, transmission, and rear axle for starters. would the wiring be a big problem? thanks guys.
btw if you know of a savaged z4m with low mileage pls let me know
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      08-18-2015, 10:41 AM   #2
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My advice is to sell your car and buy a Z4M. I think there are a few posts about this very thing on here. Would you do the work yourself or pay someone to complete the swap?
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      08-18-2015, 11:52 AM   #3
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Yeah, I'd sell the Z and buy the M. That's what I did.
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      08-18-2015, 02:16 PM   #4
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thought of that, but my z4 has like 20000 bucks in mods and there are only a handful of z4ms here so it would be more expensive. and I don't think I'd get much for mine so I am thinking in investing maybe 15000 bucks in this, donor car included (doable here as labor is very cheap) and keeping my car. for starters, I'd get like 30000 dollars if I'm lucky for my car (13000 miles) and a used z4m is costing like 50000 dollars with maybe 40000 miles (if I get one, plus I think the ones they sell here, at least the one I've seen, are beaten up cars with savaged titles that were then imported in this country).
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      08-18-2015, 07:00 PM   #5
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What's wrong with the ESS supercharger?
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      08-18-2015, 08:11 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pokeybritches View Post
What's wrong with the ESS supercharger?
I figured it would be better to have also the handlings dynamics if the price if the same
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      08-18-2015, 09:00 PM   #7
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Motor, ecu, ews, dash at very least

I would rather go E60 m5 v10 lol
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      08-19-2015, 02:02 AM   #8
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Dash? Is that different? Steering rack while your there, one of the nicest parts of having the M. that and the rear diff. :-D

Good luck mate, where u at btw? Cant see in mobile form.
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      08-19-2015, 07:20 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanne View Post
Dash? Is that different? Steering rack while your there, one of the nicest parts of having the M. that and the rear diff. :-D

Good luck mate, where u at btw? Cant see in mobile form.
I'm in Colombia, mate. it's a project to complete in a wide timeframe but it is happening when I get the right donor car.
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      08-28-2015, 08:55 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
Motor, ecu, ews, dash at very least

I would rather go E60 m5 v10 lol
Exactly. If you are going to do an engine swap for increased power you might as well go all out with a S85 or at least a S62 from the M5. That's the beauty of our large engine bays - you can fit a much larger engine in there.
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      08-28-2015, 10:07 AM   #11
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Pretty much everything under the M and in the engine compartment are different from the non-M's. Too much work IMO and it would still not be a factory M. If you don't wanna sell the car because of the mods I'd say go for a SC instead.

Last edited by Westersund; 08-28-2015 at 10:16 AM..
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      08-31-2015, 10:15 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westersund View Post
Pretty much everything under the M and in the engine compartment are different from the non-M's. Too much work IMO and it would still not be a factory M. If you don't wanna sell the car because of the mods I'd say go for a SC instead.
but been an n52 a supercharger may not be the best idea. I'm entertaining buying an m3 s54 instead and having the best of both world. keeping my z and having a new m car which is, well, a true m car. time will tell but swapping the engine is an idea that is ringing in my head for some time now
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      08-31-2015, 10:16 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twixboy View Post
Exactly. If you are going to do an engine swap for increased power you might as well go all out with a S85 or at least a S62 from the M5. That's the beauty of our large engine bays - you can fit a much larger engine in there.
but It would mean a lot of work instead of just putting everything in the same spot it was meant to be as it is the same chassis... well, that's my guess
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      08-31-2015, 11:05 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nemex12 View Post
thought of that, but my z4 has like 20000 bucks in mods
How can you have $20k on mods and not have more power than an z4m?!?

I think my mods in total have cost less, and I have more power/torque, full suspension/brake/diff/bushings/cams/headers setup etc etc etc etc.
If you put 20 grand of mods in a z4 you should end up with a car that is more powerful and handles better than a stock z4m or you're doing it wrong (if perfromance is your goal)....

Z4m's are so cheap nowadays that swapping the car is the way to go imho.

If you asked this question 5 years ago it would have been different...

Anyway swapping an engine is very very difficult (especially to a s85 or so). Most projects are a matter of years and require a lot of expert help regarding the electronics. ECU, EWS, ABS ESP etc etc


Buying a wrecked z4m (with the mechanicals/electronics still ok) and swapping everything over is another option.

For supercharging the ESS kit is imho the only real option, but that is also still somewhat in development.
A custom supercharger or turbo is very expensive.
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Last edited by GuidoK; 08-31-2015 at 11:53 AM..
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      09-05-2015, 07:26 PM   #15
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Full bolt ons, cams and a tune will get you close.
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      09-05-2015, 11:07 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAxiom
Full bolt ons, cams and a tune will get you close.
What specced cams?
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      09-06-2015, 09:31 AM   #17
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It might be hard to find aftermarket cams for an n52.
And I dont think you can regrind the n52 cams (I'm not a fan of regrinds anyway...)
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      09-06-2015, 11:41 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pokeybritches View Post
What specced cams?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GuidoK View Post
It might be hard to find aftermarket cams for an n52.
And I dont think you can regrind the n52 cams (I'm not a fan of regrinds anyway...)
Technically you can regrind them, otherwise SUPPOSEDLY Schrick has a set of Billet cams available. If you guy this route, make sure you have a tuner in mind, because you'll need it.

(Oh and if you want to regrind, I have a guy)
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      09-06-2015, 01:17 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAxiom View Post
Technically you can regrind them
Technically you can regrind everything, but the n52 cams are of a very different construction than normal cams. Do you know what hardeningprocess bmw used and how deap the mean permeability of this process is?

Regrinds are a cheap way to do things with risc because you cant renitrate.
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      09-06-2015, 01:34 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GuidoK View Post
Technically you can regrind everything, but the n52 cams are of a very different construction than normal cams. Do you know what hardeningprocess bmw used and how deap the mean permeability of this process is?

Regrinds are a cheap way to do things with risc because you cant renitrate.
Technically I know it can be done because someone already did it.
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      09-06-2015, 02:01 PM   #21
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That's not an answer to my question
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      09-06-2015, 05:12 PM   #22
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Quote:
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That's not an answer to my question
Why is it relevant if I know, if I'm paying someone else who does?
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