E34 engine replacement

[halimtan]

Hi, I am planning to swap the engine of my E34 (520i 1989 model manual shift) with a 525i 24-valve 1993-4 auto shift, sourced from Japan. I have been getting conflicting advice as to whether I should go for a Vanos version or not. The Vanos engine costs almost 70% more than the non-Vanos. Can anyone help me out? Thanks in advance.

[acidfire52]

Well, if you ever want to go with any forced induction, go with the non-Vanos.

If not, yeah the Vanos gives you a little bit more. I have a 93 Vanos myself.
But, id does induce more things to break. As I recall, the difference in power is not very big.

The increase you are going to get just by dropping in this engine, I would just go with the non unit.

Also, why in the hell would you go from a manual to an auto???

My $.02

[halimtan]

Well, thanks for the quick reply and advice. Dont really know what is "forced induction" though. If you could elaborate, that would be most helpful. As to the choice of an auto-shift, I guess its more a matter of convenience. Practically all the half-cuts brought in from Japan to Malaysia are autos. A manual version would be impossible to get, unless I custom order. As it is, I am told the full conversion plus a spray job will take more than a month. Its tough not having a set of wheels to move around, dont you think?

[Ross]

What's a half-cut? Ther are a bunch of folks on this board that would like the leftover manual stuff after your conversion. In my opinion the vanos doesn't justify a 70% upcharge, or really any upcharge.
Since you are going to all the trouble why not an M30?

[halimtan]

A half-cut is the either the front or back half of the car. See, this way, when they bring in the car to Malaysia, they dont have to pay the exorbitant taxes that a completely built-up (CBU) car would attract. If I buy a front half-cut, I get the engine and whatever else (dashboard, meters, hood, bumper etc) I can salvage. Windscreens are all destroyed of course.

[M20Turbo]

Well, thanks for the quick reply and advice. Dont really know what is "forced induction" though. If you could elaborate, that would be most helpful. As to the choice of an auto-shift, I guess its more a matter of convenience. Practically all the half-cuts brought in from Japan to Malaysia are autos. A manual version would be impossible to get, unless I custom order. As it is, I am told the full conversion plus a spray job will take more than a month. Its tough not having a set of wheels to move around, dont you think?

forced induction = Turbo charged or supercharged

[halimtan]

Obviously I am not very conversant on engines but that one in the picture looks impressive. Wonder if I can do something like that on a stock engine.

[grave77]

well ... I'm in dubai and we get all the junk from japan, I would advice you to go for vanos if you live in a hot area (in Dubai it makes difference in the summer time)but the charges are not real .. the difference is 10%more not anything grater at all ... note that it's better you get the front half cut and use what ever you need and sell the rest on ebay or on bimmer. I'm not sure but maybe the manual tranny fits the M50 engine but I'm not sure if that's correct. try realoem.com for more information.

[halimtan]

Hey grave77, appreciate your input. The Alpines look good on the car. I am going to make a decision tomorrow, so until then, all your inputs are very much appreciated.

[acidfire52]

If you can get a good priced front clip without the Vanos and an auto, I would say go for it. You will love the extra power.