M Power engine transplant?
Discussion
'Wonder if folk would like to give opinions on which engine to transplant to my E46 318?
The car is intended as a joint road/track car and has too much money, partly inadvertently, invested in it to sell and just buy an M3. It is going to be stripped and caged (properly) eventually and suspension and brakes should be up to a good deal more power (Nitron coliovers, Eibach ARBs, springs etc. + StopTech brakes all round - best I've ever had!)
I've been advised by several companies including CA who did the suspension and brakes that I'd be best off going for the E46 M3 engine, box etc. and suspect that's the way I'll go but just before I plump for this are there alternatives?
For example lighter engines that would affect handling less but still give the power? Cheaper/less complicated swaps? Even (heresy if I were talking about taking out an M Power engine I'm sure, but as the existing 4 pot isn't exactly a family jewel) something like an all alloy Corvette engine?
I've seen non BMW powered E36 cars in magazines and at circuits but never talked to anyone whose done it, so has anyone done similar and how did it go?
The car is intended as a joint road/track car and has too much money, partly inadvertently, invested in it to sell and just buy an M3. It is going to be stripped and caged (properly) eventually and suspension and brakes should be up to a good deal more power (Nitron coliovers, Eibach ARBs, springs etc. + StopTech brakes all round - best I've ever had!)
I've been advised by several companies including CA who did the suspension and brakes that I'd be best off going for the E46 M3 engine, box etc. and suspect that's the way I'll go but just before I plump for this are there alternatives?
For example lighter engines that would affect handling less but still give the power? Cheaper/less complicated swaps? Even (heresy if I were talking about taking out an M Power engine I'm sure, but as the existing 4 pot isn't exactly a family jewel) something like an all alloy Corvette engine?
I've seen non BMW powered E36 cars in magazines and at circuits but never talked to anyone whose done it, so has anyone done similar and how did it go?
TheEnd said:
With enough time and effort, you can fit anything.
I've seen and e36 M3 3.0 in an e46 before,
that's an early e36 M50 non vanos in a 1 series race car.
The M engines hold their money, with prices around 1500 for a 3.0, 1700 for an evo, and 1800-2k for the e46 M3 engine.
Thanks for this . .I've seen and e36 M3 3.0 in an e46 before,
that's an early e36 M50 non vanos in a 1 series race car.
The M engines hold their money, with prices around 1500 for a 3.0, 1700 for an evo, and 1800-2k for the e46 M3 engine.
If I put a BMW 6 in it I think I'd probably go with a newer and more powerful out the box E46 version - unless the E36 lump is noticeably less of a lump? I have heard that the E46 engine is v. heavy.
Still be interested to hear of others' experience - did a trawl of the interweb and most stories seem to be US based, including V8s (BMW & non-BMW) and even Mazda rotaries!
Edited by Lost_BMW on Sunday 20th December 08:57
BMW 4.0 or 4.4 v8 cracking powerplant, much cheaper than buying a used e36/e46 lump, can get a complete old 540i for less then just a leggy M engine.
All alloy vs the iron boat anchor M straight 6
My old e36 4.0 was an utter gem, stock engine but no cats & remapped ecu & was as rev hungry as an M but with the thing thats missing of all the e30/e36/e46 M engines = bottom end & mid range torque! & a cracking soundtrack too.
That car is owned now by a chap who posts on here.
If you have a real spare few $ shove an e39 M5 v8 in there, beasty beasy beasty
All alloy vs the iron boat anchor M straight 6
My old e36 4.0 was an utter gem, stock engine but no cats & remapped ecu & was as rev hungry as an M but with the thing thats missing of all the e30/e36/e46 M engines = bottom end & mid range torque! & a cracking soundtrack too.
That car is owned now by a chap who posts on here.
If you have a real spare few $ shove an e39 M5 v8 in there, beasty beasy beasty
iguana said:
BMW 4.0 or 4.4 v8 cracking powerplant, much cheaper than buying a used e36/e46 lump, can get a complete old 540i for less then just a leggy M engine.
All alloy vs the iron boat anchor M straight 6
My old e36 4.0 was an utter gem, stock engine but no cats & remapped ecu & was as rev hungry as an M but with the thing thats missing of all the e30/e36/e46 M engines = bottom end & mid range torque! & a cracking soundtrack too.
That car is owned now by a chap who posts on here.
If you have a real spare few $ shove an e39 M5 v8 in there, beasty beasy beasty
Now that is interesting. I've been watching (live as well as on TV) E46 M3 and V8 engined 3 series race cars in Dutch Supercars etc. I've even seen reports and adverts where M3 engined cars had been 'upgraded' to a V8.All alloy vs the iron boat anchor M straight 6
My old e36 4.0 was an utter gem, stock engine but no cats & remapped ecu & was as rev hungry as an M but with the thing thats missing of all the e30/e36/e46 M engines = bottom end & mid range torque! & a cracking soundtrack too.
That car is owned now by a chap who posts on here.
If you have a real spare few $ shove an e39 M5 v8 in there, beasty beasy beasty
So I had wonderded about both but wasn't sure how the weight aspect stacked up.
Having gone through the finances carefully yesterday (how to depress oneself for Christmas!) I have to be realistic, recoup the hit to the credit cards of the cost of the suspension and brakes and do this as a long term project. I'll look into the V8 options - don't suppose anyone knows how their weights compare to the 6 cylinder?
Thanks . .
Total BMW did an article on mine (April 2004)
They reckoned e36 M3 engine at 420lbs, V8 at 445lbs & it sits further back tho so not a massive diference.
For ref e30 325i M20 390lbs & the M30 3.5 465lbs
Its not a 10 min job to get it in & have it handle correctly but it is just such a cracking engine for the car that starting with a blank canvas I'd go V8 again.
They reckoned e36 M3 engine at 420lbs, V8 at 445lbs & it sits further back tho so not a massive diference.
For ref e30 325i M20 390lbs & the M30 3.5 465lbs
Its not a 10 min job to get it in & have it handle correctly but it is just such a cracking engine for the car that starting with a blank canvas I'd go V8 again.
iguana said:
Total BMW did an article on mine (April 2004)
They reckoned e36 M3 engine at 420lbs, V8 at 445lbs & it sits further back tho so not a massive diference.
For ref e30 325i M20 390lbs & the M30 3.5 465lbs
Its not a 10 min job to get it in & have it handle correctly but it is just such a cracking engine for the car that starting with a blank canvas I'd go V8 again.
Thanks very much for that. So the V8 is very little different to the E36 engine and I'm sure I've read that the E46 lump was heavier still (I seem to remember a figure of 212Kg in one mag?) and if it sits further back surely that will benefit handling by way of compensation.They reckoned e36 M3 engine at 420lbs, V8 at 445lbs & it sits further back tho so not a massive diference.
For ref e30 325i M20 390lbs & the M30 3.5 465lbs
Its not a 10 min job to get it in & have it handle correctly but it is just such a cracking engine for the car that starting with a blank canvas I'd go V8 again.
May I ask who did your conversion and what you did/used to sort the suspension & handling? This is looking more and more interesting!
If you want a csl engine look at the following link
http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=...
http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=...
sniff diesel said:
iguana said:
That car is owned now by a chap who posts on here.
Not GT Wayne by any chance? Did that car have an Alpina sump to clear thefront subframe?Many years ago, i did see a complete "missing bit" kit for sale on German ebay, it had the sump, oil pump, engine mounts and other little bits that would allow you to fit a V8 without any problems.
The other way people have done it is lower the steering rack, but that isn't really the best way to do it.
The LS v8's are easier to fit as they are more compact, but either way, you'll either have to pay loads, or know what you are doing and fab the bits you need yourself.
iguana said:
BMW 4.0 or 4.4 v8 cracking powerplant, much cheaper than buying a used e36/e46 lump, can get a complete old 540i for less then just a leggy M engine.
All alloy vs the iron boat anchor M straight 6
My old e36 4.0 was an utter gem, stock engine but no cats & remapped ecu & was as rev hungry as an M but with the thing thats missing of all the e30/e36/e46 M engines = bottom end & mid range torque! & a cracking soundtrack too.
That car is owned now by a chap who posts on here.
If you have a real spare few $ shove an e39 M5 v8 in there, beasty beasy beasty
I like the idea of the M5 V8. All alloy vs the iron boat anchor M straight 6
My old e36 4.0 was an utter gem, stock engine but no cats & remapped ecu & was as rev hungry as an M but with the thing thats missing of all the e30/e36/e46 M engines = bottom end & mid range torque! & a cracking soundtrack too.
That car is owned now by a chap who posts on here.
If you have a real spare few $ shove an e39 M5 v8 in there, beasty beasy beasty
I didn't think that particular V8 3 series was all that quick considering what it was. 
I much prefer this, but then where are you gonna get a Judd V8 from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsGTBWmN41s
bennyboysvuk said:
iguana said:
If you have a real spare few $ shove an e39 M5 v8 in there, beasty beasy beasty
I like the idea of the M5 V8. http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&a...
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