Does anybody know if an S52 (M3) motor ever been put into a 2002, how hard would it be to make it fit?

Does anybody know if an S52 (M3) motor ever been put into a 2002, how hard would it be to make it fit?

Haven't seen one personally but I would bet it has been done. Seeing that it's a pretty direct fit into a e30 and the m20 from a e30 is a easy fit to a 2002 (reasonably easy that is), I don't think it would be that tough. 2 problems I see would be fabbing the motor mounts unless the already available m20 mounts would work and the trans clearance since your not going to be able to use any of the "slim" getrags. That said, anything is possible if it will physically fit and the difficulty will depend on your mechanical aptitude. :)

If they can fit an e39 m5 engine into it....anything is possible.

Oh, would major frame support be needed or would 240hp not be enough to flex it?

Oh, would major frame support be needed

yes, tons

and personally, I would rather use a Buick/Rover V8 than a S50/2

cheap, easy to build, and lighter than a tii motor :eek:

Terry Sayther is grafting a chassis from an e36 with an S50 engine into an '02 shell.

Check out this link :

FrankenBimmer (http://www.terrysaytherauto.com/Franken2002.htm)

I think if you could find out a way to make the left header work on a v8 it would be easier to install then a s50 since a s50 is much longer. A m60 out of a 540i is only 80 pounds heavier then a m50 and would sit further back, plus it would already have the right oil pan. Maybe you could turn the headers around by putting the left header on the right side and vic versa. Then you could direct both exhaust pipes out the stock location on the passenger side.

and personally, I would rather use a Buick/Rover V8 than a S50/2

Would you really trade your BMW engine for a Buick engine? Powered by Buick just doesn't have that same ring to it. You would have a Buick Motor Works

The V8 is cheaper, easier to work on, lots more potential, perfect for a project car.

Oh, and although I really love the sound of a well-tuned N/A I-6, there's nothing quite like the sound of a V8. Especially when it's cam'd and has that extremely lumpy idle :buttrock

^^^what he said^^^

It would be 10x cheaper and handle better. It would be easier to find parts for, easier to assemble, and easier to fit in the engine bay. My solution to the drivers side header would be a e21 rack and pinion setup.

Reasons that Rover V8 is better IMO
Lighter
Cheaper
t-56 cr 6-speed possibility
pushrod v8 sounds better IMHO than anything else

Im no purist, but I would never dream of doing a swap like this to a '72 tii or any roudie for that matter. But admit it, there are plenty of neglected squarie's waiting for a swap. I think it would be very fun.

I do have 2 buick 215's in the garage :devillook

My solution to the drivers side header would be a e21 rack and pinion setup.

Thats a good idea. Would you just swap the whole sup-frame out?

Thats a good idea. Would you just swap the whole sup-frame out?

You can just scab onto the back of the existing subframe and be done with it. The only really hard thing is cutting and having the exisiting steering shaft re-spined and finding a bulkhead/firewall bearing to support the shaft.

How about an e46 325i engine? I'm trying to intertwine todays technology with 1 of the sickest older cars, the bmw 2002

e46 325i engine

absolutely uninspiring IMHO. No noise, no feel, no feedback, no fun. Have you driven one of those things? BO-RING! That isnt what 2002's are about in my opinion. want a modern motor? S14 baby!

Maybe one of the Bmw turbo diesel motors? I could see that being fun!


and for the e21 rack, I would use as much of the e21 setup as possible. probably use the e21 steering column and shaft if possible. Fabbing brackets on the rear of the 2002 subframe wouldnt be too difficult.

Rack and pinion would also cut out the "floatiness" inherent in a worm/roller box that has seen many years of use.

I heard a e46 325i engine won't fit into a e30 chassis, so I can't imagine it would fit into a 2002. However if you could get it in that would be great engine to put into a 2002, didn't that engine win the worlds best engine 3 years in a row or was that only the 3 liter.

I'm putting an S50 into my 2002 - not the Terry Sayther way. Don't ask me too many specifics because I'm just figuring it out as I go. One thing is for sure, its not easy at all. First of all it won't be street legal in the least, unless you can somehow pull some strings somewhere. I'm going to give it a try when I'm finished, but I'm really just making it into a fun track car that will probably run in SCCA Modified class. Anyway, a few of the specifics. You definitely have to fab your own engine mounts. The M20 sits in a 2002 engine bay, or an E30 for that matter, at a 20 degree angle. The S50 sits at a 30 degree angle. Simple geometry won't allow for the M20 mounts. Be willing to cut most of the firewall and front of the tranny tunnel out so you can set the engine back a few inches. One reason is to bring a little of that weight rearward. Another is because it just barely fits in there right behind the radiator without the fan in place, so you'd have to do some major modification to the nose piece and push the radiator forward to have room for the fan. The most challenging step IMO is dealing with the Getrag 260. Because of that 10 degree greater angle I mentioned earlier, the G260 sits 10 degrees tilted toward the passenger side. Not only that, but because I had to move the engine back as far as possible and the G260 is a bit longer than the 2002 tranny, the end of the tranny sits just in front of the existing shift hole. That means I'm going to have to somehow cut and bend the angle of the linkage 10 degrees the other way, as well as shorten it to where the shifter is no more than 3 inches to the rear. Anyway, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Luckily I've got the right wiring loom and key for a whole E36. Basically the rest of the car is going to have to be E36 spec to work right. There's a lot more stuff I'm doing to the car as well, and I've already written on this subject before. Right now the project is on a temp brake while I pool money elsewhere because of a new baby arrival. I've got to fab those engine and tranny mounts next to get it seated correctly; then on to the shift linkage.

Michael