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View Full Version : Out of curiosity : what newer BMW engine could fit an e34 ?



BMWDriver
10-18-2008, 12:50 PM
Byeyou here had a 2.8 from a 97 3 series fit in his ride, getting better torque with his touring. So I'm just curious as to what other newer BMW engine you could fit in there, and how recent that could go up to. I also remember a V12 being fit into another touring from a 750 donor. That was impressive.

As my e34 has just reached 410 000 kms, the engine runs still great, but not fabulous of course. I might chip it, but I'm not convinced it would be a good idea.

So I'm just dreaming here because I'm not close to being able to afford an engine swap yet. I'm just fascinated by the possibilities.

SnakeyesTx
10-18-2008, 01:27 PM
Well, it's a pretty big engine bay, but being you have a 525, you might have issues with the rack and pinion getting in the way if you entertain a V8 or V12 swap. There's a guy near my work trying to graft the new 3.5 twin turbo into his 535. I'll try to get details, prices and pics when I see him next.

bubba966
10-18-2008, 02:57 PM
I know the M62 & S62 have been installed into E34's. I know that putting an S62 in an E34 is a bitch (mostly the electrical, though it's harder if you don't start with a V8 E34). And from what I know the M62 should provide similar difficulties.

Dave M
10-18-2008, 03:23 PM
Well, it's a pretty big engine bay, but being you have a 525, you might have issues with the rack and pinion getting in the way if you entertain a V8 or V12 swap. There's a guy near my work trying to graft the new 3.5 twin turbo into his 535. I'll try to get details, prices and pics when I see him next.


Rack and peanut steering? I understood all e34s have a steering box. Hmmm,

Dave

bmwrp8
10-18-2008, 06:19 PM
Byeyou here had a 2.8 from a 97 3 series fit in his ride, getting better torque with his touring. So I'm just curious as to what other newer BMW engine you could fit in there, and how recent that could go up to. I also remember a V12 being fit into another touring from a 750 donor. That was impressive.

As my e34 has just reached 410 000 kms, the engine runs still great, but not fabulous of course. I might chip it, but I'm not convinced it would be a good idea.

So I'm just dreaming here because I'm not close to being able to afford an engine swap yet. I'm just fascinated by the possibilities.

i was thinking of putting a 3.0 six from an 2002 e39 but mech. here doesn't know much bout bmw electrical and was concern how he would get it started since he was thinking it has an immobilizer and the cluster might not work.

repenttokyo
10-18-2008, 06:55 PM
Byeyou here had a 2.8 from a 97 3 series fit in his ride, getting better torque with his touring. So I'm just curious as to what other newer BMW engine you could fit in there, and how recent that could go up to. I also remember a V12 being fit into another touring from a 750 donor. That was impressive.

As my e34 has just reached 410 000 kms, the engine runs still great, but not fabulous of course. I might chip it, but I'm not convinced it would be a good idea.

So I'm just dreaming here because I'm not close to being able to afford an engine swap yet. I'm just fascinated by the possibilities.

why not chip it? my 91 525 has 401 000 km and I have been running a chip for over a year.

As for newer engines: S50 and S52 are a direct swap, pretty much.

genphreak
10-18-2008, 07:55 PM
The solution for electrical worries is to move to Megasquirt at the same time. Hack up the wiring from the donor car is the easiest way, but it can be done with either. Gets you a more tunable result that can then be 'improved' later with more hardware, ie FI: s/c t/c methanol, water, etc.

Sounds like a great swap. Be sure to go manual also and get the exhaust right (in my book, that means polished Stainless and as close to stock as possible).

What we really need is someone who converts their e34 to rack and pinion, which was standard on 525ix (AWD) models.

If an e36 rack would fit, we'd all be in for the conversion at some point...

BMWDriver
10-18-2008, 10:30 PM
why not chip it? my 91 525 has 401 000 km and I have been running a chip for over a year.

As for newer engines: S50 and S52 are a direct swap, pretty much.

That's comforting to know. The engine is old, so I was worried giving it a bit more power could strain it too much. But then again, I'm not talking about dropping a turbo in there.

bmwrp8
10-18-2008, 11:16 PM
The solution for electrical worries is to move to Megasquirt at the same time. Hack up the wiring from the donor car is the easiest way, but it can be done with either. Gets you a more tunable result that can then be 'improved' later with more hardware, ie FI: s/c t/c methanol, water, etc.

Sounds like a great swap. Be sure to go manual also and get the exhaust right (in my book, that means polished Stainless and as close to stock as possible).

What we really need is someone who converts their e34 to rack and pinion, which was standard on 525ix (AWD) models.

If an e36 rack would fit, we'd all be in for the conversion at some point...
i would love a manual too but tiptronics are the available ones here:(

genphreak
10-19-2008, 01:38 AM
Hmm well you can add bodgitronic if you like, its a bit better than the sludgtronic in the older models...

Paul in NZ
10-19-2008, 02:40 AM
wouldnt the m54 in 2.8 or 3.0 almost be a straight swap (physically anyway???)

BMWDriver
10-19-2008, 01:03 PM
Yeah, I wonder about that myself. But what of the gear box I keep wondering. And electronics... how would the engine hook up to the OBC and cluster as far as getting consumption info and what not...

repenttokyo
10-19-2008, 01:46 PM
S-engines are a far better option.

BMWDriver
10-19-2008, 03:55 PM
A lot more fun, for sure:
S52B32 :
3.2L
333hp at 7900 rpm
262 ft-lbf at 4900 rpm
redline 8000 rpm
compression 11.5:1
Double Vanos
made from 2001 to 2006

An M series engine fit on the M3 e46, Z3 Roadster, Z3 M Roadster, Z3 M Coupé
and both M versions of the Z4 (Coupé and Roadster again).

It's also been used on a brand of car I did not know of : Weismann (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiesmann) on its Roadster MF3. They plan to begin exporting their hand made cars to the U.S. in 2010.

It has the looks of an old Jaguar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:1950_Jaguar_XK120_34.jpg) roadster of the 50s.

My source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_S54

attack eagle
10-19-2008, 04:17 PM
where are you going to find the s52b32 EURO engine, electronics, etc???

that's the only way to get those numbers, the US ones are nowhere near that.

240hp iirc on the s52...

i think you are confusing the s54b32 with the s52b32

repenttokyo
10-19-2008, 04:20 PM
where are you going to find the s52b32 EURO engine, electronics, etc???

that's the only way to get those numbers, the US ones are nowhere near that.

240hp iirc

if you use the intake from the m50, you can make more power. Also, the m z and z coupe cars used a more power s52.

repenttokyo
10-19-2008, 04:20 PM
A lot more fun, for sure:
S52B32 :
3.2L
333hp at 7900 rpm
262 ft-lbf at 4900 rpm
redline 8000 rpm
compression 11.5:1
Double Vanos
made from 2001 to 2006

An M series engine fit on the M3 e46, Z3 Roadster, Z3 M Roadster, Z3 M Coupé
and both M versions of the Z4 (Coupé and Roadster again).

It's also been used on a brand of car I did not know of : Weismann (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiesmann) on its Roadster MF3. They plan to begin exporting their hand made cars to the U.S. in 2010.

It has the looks of an old Jaguar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:1950_Jaguar_XK120_34.jpg) roadster of the 50s.

My source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_S54

sorry, i should have been more specific. the s54 is not an easy swap. the s52 is.

GoldenOne
10-19-2008, 10:18 PM
some euro nut fitted an s62 in an e34...thats gotta be fun to drive

attack eagle
10-19-2008, 11:23 PM
m62b44 has been done several times

Ross
10-20-2008, 07:45 AM
The M52 is probably your easiest and E39 donors are plentiful, even though a step backwards techwise an m30 will go to but I think needs a different trans.
Any of the V-8s or twelves require LOTS of changes to the engine bay, if you are going to that much trouble an LS(-) will make more grunt than any of the BMs.

healtoeit
10-20-2008, 10:40 AM
really depends how much you are willing to spend and how long you want to be w/o your car

Ferret
10-20-2008, 11:40 AM
i was thinking of putting a 3.0 six from an 2002 e39 but mech. here doesn't know much bout bmw electrical and was concern how he would get it started since he was thinking it has an immobilizer and the cluster might not work.

Just throw a re-mapped pre-EWS M50B25 Vanos ecu at it

bubba966
10-20-2008, 05:12 PM
some euro nut fitted an s62 in an e34...thats gotta be fun to drive

That was done to an M5 in the London area. Apparently it's a blast to drive and is a bit of a handful. And it's got no problem taking E39 M5's from what I've heard.

It was also done to another E34 M5 in Australia at about the same time.

BMWDriver
10-20-2008, 11:26 PM
400 hp... ouch !