engine and drivetrain e36 engine swap

[gerryc]

Anyone ever put the e36 m3 motor (etc) into an '02?

Would love to do an s14, but this looks like a way more affordable donor car...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-SILVER-5-SPEED-LOADED-GREAT-TRACK-CAR-/250626675134?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a5a8391be

Anyone ever do this before?

[MAD02]

http://www.terrysaytherauto.com/Frankenbimmer.htm

[MrNvgtr]

I hate to be the one to say this, but do a search. This topic has been discussed at length, but only a few have the ability to do it. Bottom line, it's not cheaper or easier than using an S14 and requires way more fab to make it fit right. Plus you'd want to use an M52/M54 to help with the weight up front issue.

[NickVyse]

same basics - you'll need a lot of vaseline.

[gerryc]

Thanks for the links - I did a web search. Found opinions and failed projects.

Asked here because I figured that any BS would be called out quickly.

BimmerForums (where I spend lots of time on the e21 forum) has a weaker 02 section than this.

Happy to be dipping my toe in here.

[c.d.iesel]

if yer going BIG ?

go with M POWER ! S38

[NickVyse]

if yer going BIG ? go with M POWER ! S38

Iron block = nightmare handling!

as someone said, m52 is all alloy. Although my mates m50 2.5 goes like stink and doesn't handle badly either, but then it's got a paper thin hood, no brake boosters and the battery in the back. It's faster in a straight line than my 2.3 m2.

[creede]

Just go turbo M20. It's cheaper, been done before by at least two active members and the M20 part is very well documented. Sure it may not have the cool factor of the ///M but it can easily match the power.

[Guest Anonymous]

I've got a 1994 m3 engine and trans, would like to put it in a 2002. I saw your picture was wondering how realistic it is. thanks, Jim

[Pancake]

Hahaha, in the process of doing that very thing right now. Putting a 98 M3 S52B32 into my 76. Definately take a lot of cutting, custom work, and is not for the timid. Far from bolt-in.

With an E36 motor you've got some big issues (other than just the size/weight of the motor itself). What tranny? A Getrag 260 will bolt up, but won't fit the 02 tunnel. I can't imagine anything that came behind a E36 engine fitting either. You could find the mythical E21 323i tranny (245 I think?), but they are few and far between. A M10 tranny will not bolt up to a M5x/S5x block. E36 engines are rear sump. You either have to change the sump (like I am), change the rack in the 02 to allow a rear sump, or get REALLY creative about how far back the engine sits. What rear end? A stock S50 should be capable of eating stock 02s diffs unless babied.

There are solutions to this stuff, but it requires a lot of work. Even on an optimistic day (and a couple beers) I'm still 5-6 months work from a driveable car. I would just go M10 turbo or a built M20 for the power; that's what I was going to do until the S52 more or less fell into my lap.

[TobyB]

why not just go with a turbo rotary?

t

[Dsigner]

why not just go with a turbo rotary?

t

Exactly what I have been thinking.