Engine swap - N20 into E36 ??

[zabbo]

So, I have been offered an E36 328i Individual with a blown motor at a decent price.

Having always considered boosting as an option on my previous car, I now seem to have the perfect opportunity.

Option 1:
Repair blown motor (guy says parts are there ... lol) and add a turbo! Simple ... but so boring :=):

Option 2:
I happen to have a 320i (N20) engine from an F30 with a manual gearbox which will be available soon. With a few simple mods this could push out in excess of 250kW :=):

So now the only question is ..... how easy will it be to transfer the N20 motor into the E36 (with or without the gearbox)? I have all or most of the electronics available from the F30 as well.

Please only respond with a high-level answer as I am by no means going to understand any technical jargon which may be offered in support of your response :=):

... Also, not sure what the final setup/use will be (but it will be street legal) i.e. drag, race or top-end.

 

[moranor@axis]

option 1 will give you more head room or power later on but the N20 is lighter and should be more efficient as well as have smoother power delivery

tough choice... if you will be happy with the N20 power then overall probably the best but real performance cars are now pushing 300kw+ so the N20 might not be worth the effort

 

[Nikhil]

Boost the E36 engine!

 

[Gizmo]

Rebuild the 328i motor for boost, use a 330i crank for 3.0lt displacement and avoid all the headaches involved in making a N20 work properly in the e36, let alone making it all fit correctly. Built 3.0lt turbo will have double the power and is a tried/tested recipe, no need to re-invent the wheel here.

 

[Major]

Yeah, the novelty of having an N20 in there would wear off as soon as you paid the bills.

Also, a 328i turbo, boring?
:hammerhead:

 

[Nikhil]

Rebuild the 328i motor for boost, use a 330i crank for 3.0lt displacement and avoid all the headaches involved in making a N20 work properly in the e36, let alone making it all fit correctly. Built 3.0lt turbo will have double the power and is a tried/tested recipe, no need to re-invent the wheel here.

And because cast iron :cartel:

 

[Major]

And because cast iron :cartel:

Well, make sure it's cast iron, there are some aluminium M52's out there!

 

[bac]

Will be a cool swap, was considering swapping a n54 into z3 m myself, biggest issue is the injectors/fuel pump issues electric so not supported on local management, also if swapping over f30 electrics/dme/cas etc, if anything is missing on unplugged and car goes into limp mode, than screwed. Gonna be a mission to get it running 101%. Rather boost the m52.

 

[zabbo]

All valid points - can get my hands on a S54 motor too but I will need to source the electronics!!

 

[DieselFan]

All valid points - can get my hands on a S54 motor too but I will need to source the electronics!!

Bruce craigs has a e46 m3 they're stripping if you're going to go that route

 

[Major]

All valid points - can get my hands on a S54 motor too but I will need to source the electronics!!

Bruce craigs has a e46 m3 they're stripping if you're going to go that route

And an E60 M5 last I was there. :mmm:

 

[DieselFan]

All valid points - can get my hands on a S54 motor too but I will need to source the electronics!!

Bruce craigs has a e46 m3 they're stripping if you're going to go that route

And an E60 M5 last I was there. :mmm:

They have a m6 v10 not a m5 afaik. And they're trying to sell the whole car for like R350 000. And not parting it out. Which is why it's been there for like over 2 years.

 

[Major]

All valid points - can get my hands on a S54 motor too but I will need to source the electronics!!

Bruce craigs has a e46 m3 they're stripping if you're going to go that route

And an E60 M5 last I was there. :mmm:

They have a m6 v10 not a m5 afaik. And they're trying to sell the whole car for like R350 000. And not parting it out. Which is why it's been there for like over 2 years.

Oh OK, my bad, saw the engine and no front end.

 

[zabbo]

All valid points - can get my hands on a S54 motor too but I will need to source the electronics!!

Bruce craigs has a e46 m3 they're stripping if you're going to go that route

Thanks.

I will make a turn there.

 

[Dhp507]

2jz.........all u need

 

[Maljan]

Or you could do this:

Kinda sacrilegious but should be good for way more than 250kW. :RedNo:

 

[Dhp507]

raise: Lsx is a good solid candidate too OR a 1uzfe . bulletproof and cheap

 

[zabbo]

2jz.........all u need

That is correct ... cheap, easy, power -- what more would I want??

But that is sacrilege!!

Only a BMW powerplant for me thank you. (Thanks for the suggestions anyways).

 

[Dhp507]

Some would consider boost sacrilege also.......an just a thought the 2jz was homolagated in Germany ..

 

[Maljan]

Just for the record, the picture shows a Chevy LS1 in an E36 325i, with an Eaton M112 supercharger from a Ford Lightning on top. It all ended in tears when a radiator hose burst on the drag strip. The car skidded on its own coolant and hit the wall. Kinda sad, the previous run was 11.96 seconds while taking it relatively easy. Perhaps it was Karma, who is a bitch (as the saying goes).

http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/modp-1304-1992-bmw-325i-e36/