Engine Swap

david_m · 03-06-2013, 11:47 AM

I'm trying to get suggestions on an engine swap for my car. This will probably be a year from now. I currently have a 2003 2.5i but am wanting to swap the motor. I was set on getting a S85 swap but don't know if it would be practical. I started looking around and came on the idea of a supercharged M54 swap. I know for both I would have to upgrade somethings. I have done engine swaps before but never on a BMW so I don't know what all I need to do or look into doing or getting. Any suggestions would be great. If you know a shop near my area of Gulfport, MS that could help me out would be awesome too. Thanks.

v3.2mc · 03-06-2013, 11:49 AM

your car already has an m54...

3002 tii · 03-06-2013, 12:44 PM

For the cost of the swap, wouldn't you rather sell and just buy a S54 Z4?

pokeybritches · 03-06-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_m

I'm trying to get suggestions on an engine swap for my car. This will probably be a year from now. I currently have a 2003 2.5i but am wanting to swap the motor. I was set on getting a S85 swap but don't know if it would be practical. I started looking around and came on the idea of a supercharged M54 swap. I know for both I would have to upgrade somethings. I have done engine swaps before but never on a BMW so I don't know what all I need to do or look into doing or getting. Any suggestions would be great. If you know a shop near my area of Gulfport, MS that could help me out would be awesome too. Thanks.

I actually live in Long Beach... well, kinda. I've been out of the country, but I'll be back in a month or so. I have a supercharged 3.0i. I couldn't find a shop nearby so I installed it myself. A supercharger will be much easier to install than an engine swap. I'd only pursue the swap if you don't have a shop close by (I haven't found one anywhere near Gulfport).

elwesso · 03-06-2013, 12:51 PM

S85 can be done, but there's gonna be a lot of shenanigans involved to make it work..

I think the question is, what is your goal with the swap? Do you have a power or performance goal in mind? Honestly, while the V10 is cool there's other options out there that may be closer to what you're after.

I think the Z4 chassis is a great platform for many swaps, although getting things to fit right can be challenging..

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=794354

david_m · 03-06-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v3.2mc

your car already has an m54...

Sorry about that. I actually meant to say S54. That's my bad. So the option is a supercharged S54 swap or the S85 swap. Maybe the S62.

david_m · 03-06-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

For the cost of the swap, wouldn't you rather sell and just buy a S54 Z4?

That could be a possibility. Right now I'm just through ideas around.

david_m · 03-06-2013, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

I actually live in Long Beach... well, kinda. I've been out of the country, but I'll be back in a month or so. I have a supercharged 3.0i. I couldn't find a shop nearby so I installed it myself. A supercharger will be much easier to install than an engine swap. I'd only pursue the swap if you don't have a shop close by (I haven't found one anywhere near Gulfport).

There is a shop in Long Beach called Kohl Motors. I had them do some work on my car because I didn't want to drive to Mobile and everything seems good. I don't know if they do engine swaps but I don't see why they wouldn't. I know I don't want to supercharge the motor in it now because it wouldn't have the power I want. I think a supercharged S54 would be easier to install than the S85 but would it have the power/torque for the money.

Finnegan · 03-06-2013, 02:20 PM

Well think about it. You'll need a new drivetrain and limited slip differential if you go with a more powerful engine. Even buying Z4M and then throwing a supercharger on it, might be cheaper than putting an entire new engine drivetrain, tuning, etc. etc. into the existing car. Not that a swap wouldn't be cool, just that there's a lot to do to make it work and it isn't going to be cheap.

david_m · 03-06-2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Well think about it. You'll need a new drivetrain and limited slip differential if you go with a more powerful engine. Even buying Z4M and then throwing a supercharger on it, might be cheaper than putting an entire new engine drivetrain, tuning, etc. etc. into the existing car. Not that a swap wouldn't be cool, just that there's a lot to do to make it work and it isn't going to be cheap.

Here is my question. Along with getting the engine and everything in that area and possibly upgrading the brakes and the rear end. Would the cv axles and mounts etc. all match up between the M54 and the S54 or would I have to change all that as well.

beta · 03-06-2013, 08:18 PM

I'm going to say go big or swap cars.

Either sell the car and buy a Z4M then supercharge it. Getting better steering, LSD, etc. etc. for less money than you'd spend on the conversion.

OR keep the 2.5 and put in a massive motor like a V8 or V10. There's a few examples of this if you search around, including a few drift cars (search Mike Essa Z4).

johanness · 03-06-2013, 08:54 PM

LS1

3point0 · 03-06-2013, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

I actually live in Long Beach... well, kinda. I've been out of the country, but I'll be back in a month or so. I have a supercharged 3.0i. I couldn't find a shop nearby so I installed it myself. A supercharger will be much easier to install than an engine swap. I'd only pursue the swap if you don't have a shop close by (I haven't found one anywhere near Gulfport).

Nice sig pic update Pokey!

Even with a shop around make sure they know what they're doing, otherwise a very expensive procedure will become outrageously so. I've been saving up for a supercharger install on my 3.0 M54, since as others have said it's the best bang for buck (aside from gearing - but that's a different story altogether)

pokeybritches · 03-09-2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3point0

Nice sig pic update Pokey!

Even with a shop around make sure they know what they're doing, otherwise a very expensive procedure will become outrageously so. I've been saving up for a supercharger install on my 3.0 M54, since as others have said it's the best bang for buck (aside from gearing - but that's a different story altogether)

Thanks! Any ETA for your supercharger?

OP - Nothing beats OEM in terms of reliability. You might get your 2.5i to run with the 4.6L Mustangs with a supercharger. 3.0i... different story. But for you I would recommend selling. There's no cheap way to do it, and it's going to come down to your ultimate power goals. I'm debating about letting my M go for very cheap so that I can get a low mileage coupe to put my supercharger on. PM me if you're interested.

3point0 · 03-09-2013, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

Thanks! Any ETA for your supercharger?

Life's doing a real good job of eating up my mod cash, so no ETA yet, plus the kit I was aiming for has been discontinued so I need to save twice as much now

...

OP sorry for the hijack

strokeoluck · 03-10-2013, 12:33 AM

How much is a supercharger?

3point0 · 03-10-2013, 01:53 PM

depends on which kit you buy, but they typically start around $4500 plus install and go up from there up to $9000+

03-06-2013, 11:47 AM	#1
david_m Enlisted Member 4 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: MS coast iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW Z4 2.5i [0.00]	Engine Swap I'm trying to get suggestions on an engine swap for my car. This will probably be a year from now. I currently have a 2003 2.5i but am wanting to swap the motor. I was set on getting a S85 swap but don't know if it would be practical. I started looking around and came on the idea of a supercharged M54 swap. I know for both I would have to upgrade somethings. I have done engine swaps before but never on a BMW so I don't know what all I need to do or look into doing or getting. Any suggestions would be great. If you know a shop near my area of Gulfport, MS that could help me out would be awesome too. Thanks.
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03-06-2013, 11:49 AM	#2
v3.2mc Not a New Member 94 Rep 925 Posts Drives: with both hands and both feet Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: midwest iTrader: (4) Garage List 2007 ///M Coupé [10.00]	your car already has an m54... __________________ #1498E86 \| Sepang Bronze \| Dark Sepang Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim
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03-06-2013, 12:44 PM	#3
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	For the cost of the swap, wouldn't you rather sell and just buy a S54 Z4? __________________ Follow for latest mods
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03-06-2013, 12:51 PM	#5
elwesso Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 299 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Indiana iTrader: (1)	S85 can be done, but there's gonna be a lot of shenanigans involved to make it work.. I think the question is, what is your goal with the swap? Do you have a power or performance goal in mind? Honestly, while the V10 is cool there's other options out there that may be closer to what you're after. I think the Z4 chassis is a great platform for many swaps, although getting things to fit right can be challenging.. http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=794354 __________________ - Wes 2007 BMW M Coupe 2016 VW GTI
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03-06-2013, 02:20 PM	#9
Finnegan Dog Listener 701 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	Well think about it. You'll need a new drivetrain and limited slip differential if you go with a more powerful engine. Even buying Z4M and then throwing a supercharger on it, might be cheaper than putting an entire new engine drivetrain, tuning, etc. etc. into the existing car. Not that a swap wouldn't be cool, just that there's a lot to do to make it work and it isn't going to be cheap.
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03-06-2013, 08:18 PM	#11
beta Lieutenant Colonel 80 Rep 1,663 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	I'm going to say go big or swap cars. Either sell the car and buy a Z4M then supercharge it. Getting better steering, LSD, etc. etc. for less money than you'd spend on the conversion. OR keep the 2.5 and put in a massive motor like a V8 or V10. There's a few examples of this if you search around, including a few drift cars (search Mike Essa Z4). __________________ modification journal
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03-06-2013, 08:54 PM	#12
johanness Banned 56 Rep 1,739 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle, Vancouver iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4M COUPE [7.00] 2012 BMW X1 xDrive 28i [9.00]	LS1
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03-10-2013, 12:33 AM	#16
strokeoluck First Lieutenant 23 Rep 325 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M roadster Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	How much is a supercharger?
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03-10-2013, 01:53 PM	#17
3point0 Lieutenant 26 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2005 z4 3.0 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 Audi S4 Avant [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [5.67]	depends on which kit you buy, but they typically start around $4500 plus install and go up from there up to $9000+ __________________ 2005 Z4 3.0 steptronic \| TiSilver on Black \| sport & premium package \| 108s \| Msport seats \| wind deflector OMP strut bar \| blacked out emblems \| de-french-fried \| sound gen \| DIY aux input \| custom speedo logos \| stubby antenna \| polished exhaust tips
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