Engine swap compatibility
Discussion
Would the 3.6 engine from an early E34 M5 fit in an E36?
What are the substantial (physical) differences between the block of that engine (S38B36) and the 3.2 Evo engine (S52B32?)?
The reason I ask is that an E34 M5 may be coming available (complete) for less than the cost of an M3 engine and I want to know whether there could be any benefit from grabbing it. The difference in bhp is fractional.
If it does fit, would it be best to keep it mated to the M5 'box?
What are the substantial (physical) differences between the block of that engine (S38B36) and the 3.2 Evo engine (S52B32?)?
The reason I ask is that an E34 M5 may be coming available (complete) for less than the cost of an M3 engine and I want to know whether there could be any benefit from grabbing it. The difference in bhp is fractional.
If it does fit, would it be best to keep it mated to the M5 'box?
Hiya,
In short, I think you'd be able to get the E34 M5 engine into an E36 shell/engine bay. Getting it to all work and correctly will probably be the much more time consuming bit. I say this as I've previously had access to an E30 Touring that had the E34 M5 engine transplant via a Dogleg gearbox. I know the current owner who bought it off a previous person I know.
You would be best researching all the options and potential issues and speaking to engine conversion specialists with excellent BMW knowledge
Cheers, Dennis!
In short, I think you'd be able to get the E34 M5 engine into an E36 shell/engine bay. Getting it to all work and correctly will probably be the much more time consuming bit. I say this as I've previously had access to an E30 Touring that had the E34 M5 engine transplant via a Dogleg gearbox. I know the current owner who bought it off a previous person I know.
You would be best researching all the options and potential issues and speaking to engine conversion specialists with excellent BMW knowledge
Cheers, Dennis!
Thanks Dennis.
From what you're saying, the M5 engine will be as alien to my E36 as a Rover V8 is to a Mini, i.e. it will fit, but everything will have to be fabricated to make it fit.
Non-starter for me then.
The response "all the mounts line up perfectly; just drop it in and fire it up" was what I was dreamily hoping for
From what you're saying, the M5 engine will be as alien to my E36 as a Rover V8 is to a Mini, i.e. it will fit, but everything will have to be fabricated to make it fit.
Non-starter for me then.
The response "all the mounts line up perfectly; just drop it in and fire it up" was what I was dreamily hoping for
Hiya
Oi oi Saveloy (I see that you're over on the 5 series forum too!
)- the car was built 5-7 or so years ago, deliberatley kept 'under cover' so to speak - it wasn't on the BMW scene so to speak. I drove it a few times and had temporary custody of it whilst the owner was overseas one time too. It looked like bit of a dog, further in with the street sleeper style! It had the suspension and brakes from an E30 M3, running standard M3 16 inch cross spoke wheels, a fabricated exhaust, the rare dogleg gearbox and of course the M5 engine up front. Yes, it did fly! guy I know sold it without asking me - idiot! but just so happened to be sold to a guy who lives 2 miles away from me ! It's now been totally cleaned up, all niggly bits on bodywork done, reprayed in original colour with an MTEC 2 bodykit etc etc. It's won many awards and has been featured quite a few times in the magazines etc. The ultra rare factor comes in that when it was built a ultra rare, one of only 7 in the world, Konig seats were installed! I'm sure the other 6 sets are sitting in E30 M3's somewhere in the world!!
V8mate - to 'slot in and connect all up would indeed work! .. in an E34 shell! - there are different levels of slotting in though, and research will determine if your proposed swap is 'fairly' straightforward or a real pain in the proverbial. Anything is possible - I've just heard for instance of a LS1 engine, that's been supercharged as well has been slotted into an E36 shell! potential of 580 bhp there! - I know of E39's with the same engine conversion too - All depends on how fat your wallet is really, but some conversions are known to be 'easier' than others. The thing is, the E34 M5 engine was of a certain power etc. The E36 had the Evo engine which slots right in and makes more power right off the bat - so many would say slot that engine in and perhaps spend the money you would have fettling with the M5 engine on the Evo M3 engine. I understand of course the M5 engine has come up cheap hence you asking.
if it's at a good price, buy the engine and ancilliaries anyway and store it. You never know, a nice E30 Touring shell may come up... when I do have the money, I'll be up for re-creating an E30 Touring with a 'special' engine in it again
Cheers, Dennis!
Oi oi Saveloy (I see that you're over on the 5 series forum too!
)- the car was built 5-7 or so years ago, deliberatley kept 'under cover' so to speak - it wasn't on the BMW scene so to speak. I drove it a few times and had temporary custody of it whilst the owner was overseas one time too. It looked like bit of a dog, further in with the street sleeper style! It had the suspension and brakes from an E30 M3, running standard M3 16 inch cross spoke wheels, a fabricated exhaust, the rare dogleg gearbox and of course the M5 engine up front. Yes, it did fly! guy I know sold it without asking me - idiot! but just so happened to be sold to a guy who lives 2 miles away from me ! It's now been totally cleaned up, all niggly bits on bodywork done, reprayed in original colour with an MTEC 2 bodykit etc etc. It's won many awards and has been featured quite a few times in the magazines etc. The ultra rare factor comes in that when it was built a ultra rare, one of only 7 in the world, Konig seats were installed! I'm sure the other 6 sets are sitting in E30 M3's somewhere in the world!!V8mate - to 'slot in and connect all up would indeed work! .. in an E34 shell! - there are different levels of slotting in though, and research will determine if your proposed swap is 'fairly' straightforward or a real pain in the proverbial. Anything is possible - I've just heard for instance of a LS1 engine, that's been supercharged as well has been slotted into an E36 shell! potential of 580 bhp there! - I know of E39's with the same engine conversion too - All depends on how fat your wallet is really, but some conversions are known to be 'easier' than others. The thing is, the E34 M5 engine was of a certain power etc. The E36 had the Evo engine which slots right in and makes more power right off the bat - so many would say slot that engine in and perhaps spend the money you would have fettling with the M5 engine on the Evo M3 engine. I understand of course the M5 engine has come up cheap hence you asking.
if it's at a good price, buy the engine and ancilliaries anyway and store it. You never know, a nice E30 Touring shell may come up...
when I do have the money, I'll be up for re-creating an E30 Touring with a 'special' engine in it again Cheers, Dennis!
Edited by DennisCooper on Wednesday 15th September 14:38
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