I have been wondering about this for a while. Once my motor reaches about 200k I would want to swap in something(with the tranny). I know some of you have e36 M3 engines in. So here goes

1. What other engines fit in? any e46 engines.

2. How do you make the engine swaps legal, emissions legal etc, I know some of you are in Cali.

3. Approximately home much are the labour costs if you dont mind sharing(so I can save up :) ).

Thanks for the info ppl. :buttrock

Someone please correct me if im wrong but all of I6 BMW engines should fit on with tranny. I know for sure the E39 I6 fit. Emission, i dont know anyone that has had problems with emmision. and as far as price I have no idea its free for me.

Answer Question#1: From what I know any M20, M30, all E36 engines

Answer Question#2: check with your local DMV. Here in NC you just need to have all required emissions parts that came on the specific engines year.

Answer Question#3: Depends on shop and labor rate. You'd probably save money doing it yourself. Maybe check with the local tech college and see if they might do it.

How hard would it be to swap teh m50 engine with teh m30 engine?

Ls1

very easy.
helen keller could do it so long as she
had all the parts and tools heheh

but u might be better off rebuilding the 2.5 and turboing it =]

punched and pulled M70 with cams, headers and some substantial "tweaks".... that's what I would do.

I was thinking about something along these lines

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2472471663&category=33615&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT
:redspot

one of the few swaps that would be a bit tough to do... for that kind of money, swap in an S52 with a low-boost blower and make more power and (especially for teh E34) torque.

I think good questions to ask are:
What is your budget?
What is your goals?
What HP/TQ you want and in what Powerband?

I decided a low boost turbo will suit my needs.

I think good questions to ask are:
What is your budget?
What is your goals?
What HP/TQ you want and in what Powerband?

I decided a low boost turbo will suit my needs.

Where did you get the turbo kit?
And how much did it cost you?

That actually sounds realy attractive as well since I love the driving charactoristics of the m20.

He got teh turbo for free from his shop :(

What are the hp/torque of the m30's? I'm curious to see the differences between that and the m50's...

the big M30s with minor mods make a good 220-230hp with an equal-greater amount of torque... add cams and a full exhaust and you should be approaching 250.

the M20 makes 168hp stock, where the M50 makes 185-190.

Where did you get the turbo kit?
And how much did it cost you?

That actually sounds realy attractive as well since I love the driving charactoristics of the m20.

I'm doing a homegrown low-boost version. Yep turbo and Audi 5000 intercooler is free. Most labor will do myself. Hopefully I can have the bimmer on the lift to start making plans for the manifold and downpipe.