128i/e82 Engine swap

[Slow1er]

Hello! I currently have a 2011 128i and I'm looking for more power. I would like to speak with anyone who has swapped any of the following into a e82.

- N54
- S65
- S50/52
- S54

I'm most interested in the n54 as I believe it would be the "cheapest" route but open to all of the above.

PLEASE ANYONE WHO HAS DONE THIS REACH OUT TO ME, I AM SERIOUS ABOUT DOING THIS & NEED SOMEONE WITH EXPIERENCE TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY HAD TO BUY & FABRICATE.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post, I hope everyone reading is having a great day!

[NorthernDancer]

Your cheapest route would be to sell the 128 and buy a 135.

[Soterios]

If the N54 is on your consideration list, the cheapest route is for sure just buying a 135i.

[NorthernDancer]

And if you look in "General Discussion" lamj01 has a 09 135 with 60K miles for $16K, maybe less. He's in Raleigh.

[foilman]

The others are right. It might make sense if you already had a dead engine, otherwise swap cars.

[tsk94]

There's no advantage to swapping in an S50/52. The N52 can make as much power. And I doubt you're considering a Euro S50/52 because it's a 15-20k motor alone now - which again would make no sense, just do an S54.

N54 also doesn't make much sense. You'd be better of buying a 135, unless you've got a 128 with a blown motor right now.

I believe a few people in Europe have swapped S54's into 1 series Hatches for racing, but I don't think there is any documentation online about it.

S65 swaps have been done into E82s before. Both the S65 and S54 swap will probably be in the realm of 20k to do properly.

How much power are you looking for, that's makes a huge difference. You could supercharge your N52 or even get a built N52 race motor for A LOT cheaper then doing any of the swaps, other then the N54.

[Slow1er]

I agree with you when it comes to saving money but my 128i was a gift from my father id prefer to keep it. My brother and 2 other friends have 135i's making good power, I just want something different but still a e82. If I was to swap a n54 into the 128i, I would use a DCT from a 335is or m4. I completely understand this will COST & take time but I plan on getting a f30 for a daily soon to start on the e82.

[Slow1er]

Originally Posted by tsk94

There's no advantage to swapping in an S50/52. The N52 can make as much power. And I doubt you're considering a Euro S50/52 because it's a 15-20k motor alone now - which again would make no sense, just do an S54.

N54 also doesn't make much sense. You'd be better of buying a 135, unless you've got a 128 with a blown motor right now.

I believe a few people in Europe have swapped S54's into 1 series Hatches for racing, but I don't think there is any documentation online about it.

S65 swaps have been done into E82s before. Both the S65 and S54 swap will probably be in the realm of 20k to do properly.

How much power are you looking for, that's makes a huge difference. You could supercharge your N52 or even get a built N52 race motor for A LOT cheaper then doing any of the swaps, other then the N54.

I agree with you on the s50/52 just mention to see if anyone had done it. When it comes to how much power I'm looking for it depends on the platform. If I went with the n54, id go for around 600whp.

The only reason id go with a s54 or s65 is to build more of a track oriented "1m clone". The s54 is capable of good power N/A with 2m autowerks ITB's, 288/280 cams, headers, & a 4.1 ratio diff gear set + Z4m diff. In my opinion this would be worth the $ spent & one of the coolest 1 series out there besides the s65 swapped ones.

[Slow1er]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

And if you look in "General Discussion" lamj01 has a 09 135 with 60K miles for $16K, maybe less. He's in Raleigh.

Just checked it out, looks to be really clean... I REALLY don't want to sell my car but I am definitely going to get in contact with him. Thanks for that, I haven't been able to find any clean 135i with a manual trans for a good price and low mileage.

[dtla1]

Someone has a thread up doing an LS 6.0L swap, might be a fun option as well.

[tsk94]

Let's be honest here. All this comes down to is your budget, which was never specified.

If you have a big or unlimited budget, then any of these are doable. However, if you're on a budget and plan to do most of the work yourself, then the only reasonable option is the N54. It's designed to go in that car, parts will be readily available and cheap to get to make the swap happen. Any of the other swaps require tons of custom fabrication, which you'll either need to do yourself or pay someone to do - which adds up, fast.

In one of your other posts you mention 'you're not that handy for big projects like this'. If that's the case I'd steer clear of anything but the N54. You either need to be very 'handy' to swap in a motor that isn't designed for this chassis, or have the budget to pay people to do the work for you.

Also, I think you'd be disappointed with a S54 running ~350-370whp or an S65 at ~400whp if you'd want 600whp if you did an N54. The gap between those two is just as big of a gap between your 128 now and what it would be like with an S54/S65.

[No_Sl33p]

I agree 100%

[chris82]

Originally Posted by Slow1er

I agree with you when it comes to saving money but my 128i was a gift from my father id prefer to keep it. My brother and 2 other friends have 135i's making good power, I just want something different but still a e82. If I was to swap a n54 into the 128i, I would use a DCT from a 335is or m4. I completely understand this will COST & take time but I plan on getting a f30 for a daily soon to start on the e82.

My vote is an S65. It's been done a couple times with a 1 series so there should be some basic info on the internet (should be able to search and find the user on here), and the M3 and E82 were produced during the same time so I think electronics should work better than an older engine like the S54. Also, if you ever wanted to sell the car in the future, a 128i with an N54 swapped in will be worth less than a stock 128i or 135i bc no one would buy that car when they can just buy a 135i with the right engine in it from the factory. On the other hand, if the build is done right you might be able to profit with an S65; there was an S65 powered 135i 1M clone that was bid up to $70k on bring a trailer and another S65 powered 135i was bid to $34k (this one didn't sell though).

Just my .02 cents. Good luck with the build!

[wootloops]

I agree that the S65 makes the most sense.

It requires minimal fabrication (I think really just a shortened driveshaft), will add a good amount of horsepower, and is an overall exciting engine. The subframes and everything from the M3 will bolt up to the chassis for the most part. Wiring isn't that bad as long as you get a E92 donor - Basically rip every wire and module out from the donor and put it in the 128. Probably will cost 10-15k for a donor, about $2k to get the S65 up to maintenance, and figure about $5k in labor unless you DIY. So $20-22k.

If you are trying to spend less than that then it makes more sense to sell the 128 and buy a 135. Otherwise, almost every other option will be close to the same cost with less gains to be had and will require way more custom fabrication and wiring work.
Or.... just do full bolt-ons with the N52 and enjoy the 250whp N/A Inline 6 engine, which works well in a car the size of a 128.

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by wootloops

Or.... just do full bolt-ons with the N52 and enjoy the 250whp N/A Inline 6 engine, which works well in a car the size of a 128.

Thread not updated by the original poster for several months so no idea what he ultimately did. But, if it is still under consideration, then I agree with just going with the bolt-ons, especially the 3 stage intake and tune. Better to spend the money on those and really good suspension bits.