2006 330i motor into a 128i

[bmwonbrembos]

Has anyone ever heard of this being done? Is it possible? Motor is toast on my 128 and I found a used 2006 330i motor. Both are n52, I'm not sure if harness are different etc

[desertman123]

Will work just fine, but use all the newer motor's sensors. The main difference between the old and new motors (besides magnesium valve cover and PCV) are some sensors switched from being analog to digital.

You can see a few threads on E90Post discussing this, although not specifically for the 128i. Should be identical.

[asbrr]

....and you'll have gained about 25 HP as the 330i motor has the 3 stage intake manifold

If you're keeping your existing ECU (I presume this is the case), you may want to look at upgrading the software to take advantage of the 3 stage intake manifold. Look up the Bimmerlabs tune which is basically the factory 330i tune.

[bmwonbrembos]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Will work just fine, but use all the newer motor's sensors. The main difference between the old and new motors (besides magnesium valve cover and PCV) are some sensors switched from being analog to digital.

You can see a few threads on E90Post discussing this, although not specifically for the 128i. Should be identical.

Originally Posted by desertman123

Will work just fine, but use all the newer motor's sensors. The main difference between the old and new motors (besides magnesium valve cover and PCV) are some sensors switched from being analog to digital.

You can see a few threads on E90Post discussing this, although not specifically for the 128i. Should be identical.

Ok, when you mean all the newer motors sensor, use the 330i motors sensors, wires, and harness correct?

And yea I figured it should be identical for the 128 compared to the 128i but I just wanted to make sure!

[bmwonbrembos]

Originally Posted by asbrr

....and you'll have gained about 25 HP as the 330i motor has the 3 stage intake manifold

If you're keeping your existing ECU (I presume this is the case), you may want to look at upgrading the software to take advantage of the 3 stage intake manifold. Look up the Bimmerlabs tune which is basically the factory 330i tune.

Originally Posted by desertman123

Will work just fine, but use all the newer motor's sensors. The main difference between the old and new motors (besides magnesium valve cover and PCV) are some sensors switched from being analog to digital.

You can see a few threads on E90Post discussing this, although not specifically for the 128i. Should be identical.

Originally Posted by asbrr

....and you'll have gained about 25 HP as the 330i motor has the 3 stage intake manifold

If you're keeping your existing ECU (I presume this is the case), you may want to look at upgrading the software to take advantage of the 3 stage intake manifold. Look up the Bimmerlabs tune which is basically the factory 330i tune.

Sounds good!

Yes I will be keeping the existing ECU from the 128i. Would I be fine to run the car for a little while without the bimmer labs 330 tune?

Also how much does that bimmer labs tune Tun around, and how would I install it myself? What type of machine or tuner would I need to buy to hook up to my car?

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by bmwonbrembos

Sounds good!

Yes I will be keeping the existing ECU from the 128i. Would I be fine to run the car for a little while without the bimmer labs 330 tune?

Also how much does that bimmer labs tune Tun around, and how would I install it myself? What type of machine or tuner would I need to buy to hook up to my car?

Yes you can likely keep the 128 ecu as is, the car will have some odd torque characteristics, but will run. I think the main thing will be making sure all the sensors etc are wired up correctly as per desertman123

Loading the tune would be done by the cable they sell. There is a little bit of work/reading to do, but it's been done by many successfully. See here:

https://www.bimmerlabs.com/store/

There are a few threads detailing how it's done.

[desertman123]

For the Bimmerlabs tune you need a K+DCAN cable and BMW Standard Software. Both available on BimmerGeeks' website.

Basically just look up how to install/check codes on INPA. Once you can do that, you can flash a tune from Bimmerlabs (check their help section as well).

[bmwonbrembos]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Yes you can likely keep the 128 ecu as is, the car will have some odd torque characteristics, but will run. I think the main thing will be making sure all the sensors etc are wired up correctly as per desertman123

Loading the tune would be done by the cable they sell. There is a little bit of work/reading to do, but it's been done by many successfully. See here:

https://www.bimmerlabs.com/store/

There are a few threads detailing how it's done.

Originally Posted by asbrr

Yes you can likely keep the 128 ecu as is, the car will have some odd torque characteristics, but will run. I think the main thing will be making sure all the sensors etc are wired up correctly as per desertman123

Loading the tune would be done by the cable they sell. There is a little bit of work/reading to do, but it's been done by many successfully. See here:

https://www.bimmerlabs.com/store/

There are a few threads detailing how it's done.

Ok thank you for the information

And let's just say I just jump above all that and shoot straight to an Active Autowerks tune. They should be able to tune it outright no issues right?

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by bmwonbrembos

Ok thank you for the information

And let's just say I just jump above all that and shoot straight to an Active Autowerks tune. They should be able to tune it outright no issues right?

Yes.

I would recommend Stage FP over AA.

[carscatscoffee15]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Yes.

I would recommend Stage FP over AA.

+1 ^

StageFP over AA if you wanna go in that direction