E90 3.0L engine swap

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tgm
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Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:47 am
Location: Reno, NV

E90 3.0L engine swap

Post by tgm »

Along with my 87 635csi, I currently run an '07 328i with one of the last normally aspirated engines. This engine is a bear with approx 240HP and good fuel economy. I currently have 150K and the engine has been fault free. It has a lot of power and I would assume this engine can be tweaked to gain even more power.
My question is....is this a engine a good candidate for an engine transplant in my car?
My M30 currently has over 300K and runs like a bear. I instau a fresh head approx 50K ago and the lower end was in fantastic shape. It burns no oil whatsoever and runs flawlessly every day as a daily driver.
In the future quest for more power, after driving the E90 tonight, I came up with this brainstorm thought. I'd rather keep a normally aspirated engine in my future so using a turbo transplant or other marque transplant is out of the question.
Has anyone done such a swap?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys,

Tom in GA
Tom in Reno, NV
'87 635csi
'07 328i
baders
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Re: E90 3.0L engine swap

Post by baders »

It would be far far easier to tweak your M30 for more power. I don't even want to think about the complexities of mating up an N52 engine to an E24 chassis :shock:
1986 635csi LOCUTUS / Arktis Blau Metallic / Pearl Beige / S38B36/ Close ratio dogleg 5sp
2002 E46 M3 / Topaz Blau Metallic / Black Nappa / 6 speed SMG software tuned / Bilstein PSS10 Coilovers / CMP RACP reinforcement
redrumm3
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Re: E90 3.0L engine swap

Post by redrumm3 »

Although I have not attempted this myself, the shop I have do a lot of work on may cars swapped an S52 into an E24 and it was not an easy swap. It requires a lot of fabrication and the complexities of the electrics make for a difficult and time consuming job. I don't believe the cost/benefit equation really works out.
Scott Collins
80 Euro 635csi Stratosblau/Parchment
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tschultz Online
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Re: E90 3.0L engine swap

Post by tschultz »

If you had an engine refresh, a turbo install would be almost bolt on and would really wake up the performance of your car. I know I am a believer after doing it on my m30b34...

The car was faster than my E28 M5 with a RRFPR and TCD timing retard chip. Upgrade the engine management and now you can dyno tune it for your octane and performance needs... 10-14psi is reasonable with stock headgasket and head bolts...
http://www.Drive4Corners.com
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