Engine Swap...

[nacaruh]

SO.. long story short, I was able to find myself a salvaged BMW 135i (side collision)(still pending/deciding) for a ridiculously low price, and the thought of a engine swap came into my head. I've seen some engine swaps done with our cars (well for 1m conversions), but I haven't seen any 128 to 135 conversions. There are definitely other parts that I can take out from the salvaged car to add to my car , but my main question is, what do you all think about an engine swap? I did the calculations on pricing, and I would actually save a bit of more money on the salvage rather than purchasing a 135. Any tips and advice? I think this would be a fun project!

[andrey_gta]

There have been about two n52 to n55 swaps on e90post
Here user @flinchy is doing a swap too.

[Greenkirby21]

Not sure how much u paying for ur stuff, but I found this from a local vendor. They are putting in a coyote engine (not sure what this is, but i think its american) into a e92 335i. They are selling the 335i engine and parts

Stett Performance

The owner of these parts is motivated to sell, he has reduced prices... $3600 for the engine, $1300 for the turbos+procede... Or $4600 for both. Prices are shipped anywhere in the Continental US. Can't beat these deals, they won't last long.

https://www.facebook.com/stettperformance

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

Not sure how much u paying for ur stuff, but I found this from a local vendor. They are putting in a coyote engine (not sure what this is, but i think its american) into a e92 335i. They are selling the 335i engine and parts

Im intrigued by the USA engine swap more than the sale lol

[Dafttt]

Hope it's the 5.0, which would be from the '11+ Mustang.

Monster of an engine. They can be had for like $6,5k new and produce 450hp without restrictions.

Very tempting compared to a $25k S65 new.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

There have been about two n52 to n55 swaps on e90post
Here user @flinchy is doing a swap too.

wait, there's been 2 N55 swaps?

got a link?

that's 99% the same as an N54 swap then haha

i had no idea mentions worked on bimmerpost!

Originally Posted by royallecaf

SO.. long story short, I was able to find myself a salvaged BMW 135i (side collision)(still pending/deciding) for a ridiculously low price, and the thought of a engine swap came into my head. I've seen some engine swaps done with our cars (well for 1m conversions), but I haven't seen any 128 to 135 conversions. There are definitely other parts that I can take out from the salvaged car to add to my car , but my main question is, what do you all think about an engine swap? I did the calculations on pricing, and I would actually save a bit of more money on the salvage rather than purchasing a 135. Any tips and advice? I think this would be a fun project!

n55 or n54?

i can tell you everything you need for an N54 swap (not far off really hoeing into it, i'm pretty sure i have all bases covered), and as above, that would 99.9% be the same for n55

if you get a full salvage though, you're sweet!

i only got the full engine setup+ECU/DME/dash cluster, and foudn that i need a LOT more stuff than that hahaha

[andrey_gta]

yep n54 swaps, my bad

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

yep n54 swaps, my bad

I had no idea

I've only seen the one in the e87 jn europe

And a couple of race teams do it for cheap

[RoundelM3]

The obvious question: why not just trade your car in on a 135i and save yourself a lot of time and expense? Once you've done the swap, you now have a "bastardized" car that will be difficult to sell at the very least. Even a supercharger install on your N52 would be a better proposition. Unless this is going to be a track car, of course - then none of the aforementioned cautions would be valid.

[m_thompson]

How about a supercharged V8 & DCT from an M3 into a 1-series?
http://www.zercustoms.com/news/G-Pow...HURRICANE.html

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by flinchy

I had no idea

I've only seen the one in the e87 jn europe

And a couple of race teams do it for cheap

a canadian 323i did it, beige/gold in colour.
I dont recall the other car

[ilikebmxbikes]

If I were you, I would just trade your car in and get a 135i. It wouldnt cost that much more (maybe less than a swap) and you will likely get a few other upgrades on your car as well depending on options.

Spend a little extra and get an S65.

[MightyMouseTech]

Was wondering the same thing. Why go through all the trouble/headache to build something that is already available stock?

[TheSt|G]

Yup, seems pointless and expensive.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Yup, seems pointless and expensive.

And tantamount to blaspheme

[Dafttt]

I guess you could make a case for it.

Leapfrogging the rationality, I suppose if the 128i is sitting on some high miles - ~150k - you'd be looking to buy or trade for a similarly high mile 135i, which arguably wouldn't be recommended. Swapping in a low mile N54 (~20k miles) into a high mileage 128i might be more realistic.

But again, back to the rationality of swapping the N54. If a version of your car comes with the engine you want, straight from the factory - don't be an idiot.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Daft Auto

I guess you could make a case for it.

Leapfrogging the rationality, I suppose if the 128i is sitting on some high miles - ~150k - you'd be looking to buy or trade for a similarly high mile 135i, which arguably wouldn't be recommended. Swapping in a low mile N54 (~20k miles) into a high mileage 128i might be more realistic.

But again, back to the rationality of swapping the N54. If a version of your car comes with the engine you want, straight from the factory - don't be an idiot.

Yeah there are SOME smart situations..

Get the wreck cheap and do ALL the work yourself? Thereby saving money?

Want to do it simply for fun?

Want to heavily modify the engine before it goes in?

If you can't say yes to any one of those, don't do it

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

a canadian 323i did it, beige/gold in colour.
I dont recall the other car

Hm

I jut had a search... 3 threads of e9x guys going 'should i?'

1 of an x3 owner saying 'should i? I bought one!'

Then like 3 of my threads on various forums hahah

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

And tantamount to blaspheme

Shrug, there are enough 128i's out there that I don't care.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by flinchy

Hm

I jut had a search... 3 threads of e9x guys going 'should i?'

1 of an x3 owner saying 'should i? I bought one!'

Then like 3 of my threads on various forums hahah

Your build is great. You are building something unique and otherwise unavailable.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Shrug, there are enough 128i's out there that I don't care.

God, I hope so. I didn't "pimp my ride" with the understanding that when my lease was up I'd just get something else. I financed my purchase with a goal toward a commitment to a platform. I wish we 128 owners had the access that 135 owner's have to used parts. There's always some 135 owner coming off lease willing to depart with his/her expensive upgrades at a deep discount.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

God, I hope so. I didn't "pimp my ride" with the understanding that when my lease was up I'd just get something else. I financed my purchase with a goal toward a commitment to a platform. I wish we 128 owners had the access that 135 owner's have to used parts. There's always some 135 owner coming off lease willing to depart with his/her expensive upgrades at a deep discount.

The 128i's and 328i's in general do not have the tunability and aftermarket support the n54 and n55 car's do. You guys do however share the same suspension. There are a lot of 135i part outs with stuff that will fit your car.

If I was building out a 128i, I would get all of the M3 bits, a nice set of coilovers, some nice wheels with some good wide rubber and you would have a very capable and reliable car.