Engine swap

[Neilc]

so thinking about swapping my engine for something a bit nippier, any specialist tools needed apart from an engine Hoist so i can work out costing before I make the final decision.

 

[mrscalex]

It’s not so much about the tools. More of what other parts you need to swap at the same time. And that depends on what you’re going from and to.

In many cases it’s just better to trade up your car to the engine size you want.

 

[Neilc]

Just thought it would be more fun putting a 335i engine in an e85 and possibly still work out cheaper than buying one

 

[t-tony]

If I were you I would make enquiries with Insurance companies before you commit to doing this Neil. You could find it very difficult to insure or at least very expensive. Definitely would be fun and very satisfying to do a conversion like this. I did one many,many years ago stuffing an MG 1100 motor in my Mini. Well worth the effort.

Tony.

 

[NZ00Z3]

The physical engine swap is the easy part. Getting all the electrics and computers sorted is the hard part. Suggest that you work out how to do the electrics first e.g which DME, what to do with the EWS etc.

 

[D R Oldfield]

Got good at engine swaps years ago could get the engine out of a hillman avenger in 20 min and lost count of how many mini engine swaps I did but that was 30 year ago when I was a lot more agile and cars a lot simple I think the was only about 5 wires to swap over then

 

[mrscalex]

Got good at engine swaps years ago could get the engine out of a hillman avenger in 20 min and lost count of how many mini engine swaps I did but that was 30 year ago when I was a lot more agile and cars a lot simple I think the was only about 5 wires to swap over then

I’m not sure there’s even 5 wires on an M54 swap. The wires are the easy bit if it’s like for like

The biggest issue on a Z3 at least is freeing off the exhaust.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Like @Murray Wall says above, the tricky bit would be getting all the electric/electronic bits to work. It ain't like the good old days anymore.

 

[Dino D]

I believe supercharger kits for these engines are available from the US as ‘bolt on’

I’m assuming it’s a bit more than just ‘bolt in’ but that but should be easier/cheaper than getting electronics running from a different car (unless you run separate engine management software like race cars but that is £££)

 

[Neilc]

No one seems to make a supercharger for the 2.5si version. Which is the better engine?
335i
Or
M140i

 

[cameron.white]

I had a BMW 540i v8 in an e36 & it was a cracker of an engine, de catted & remapped it had oddles of midrange but did still love to rush to the redline, they are available for utter peanuts & are a light engine.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Sure most of you have seen this before, but why not see it again, eh? V8s are for girls.

 

[Lee]

No one seems to make a supercharger for the 2.5si version. Which is the better engine?
335i
Or
M140i

They do make chargers for yours. The kit is identical to the 3.0si.

The electronics on the Si Z4's are very complex unless you have the skill set or very deep pockets better to change cars.

 

[Sean d]

Sure most of you have seen this before, but why not see it again, eh? V8s are for girls.
View attachment 95732

Thats is Z porn

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Look away now.

Feel dirty now, don't you. Got the feeling that any official BMW Z3V12 wouldn't have left the factory with those air filters on, but for an "unofficial" job that ain't bad. Apparently no more BHP than the Z3M, but a mountain more torque.

 

[hard top]

Not to keen on the color of that Z to be honest, different I must admit ...