2011 128i/E82 Engine Swap

[RayBae]

I'm fairly new here and I'll get straight to the point.

I own a 2011 128i/E82 (Only sold In Canada and the US) with the N52B30 engine, and automatic transmission. The stock 228 bhp isn't cutting it, and I'm looking at, and weighing my options to increase horsepower.

The clear and defined direction and goal this attempts to achieve is to lay out options for increasing 128i performance. Swaps, upgrades, and suggestions across all boards - that don't include selling it for a different car. This thread is committed to the 128i.

Thoughts I've had:

• Converting it to manual transmission
• Cold air intake
• JDM chip/coding to decrease throttle lag and increase responsivity
• N54 swap
• N55 swap
• S65 swap (as per @rowsdower's suggestion)

I'm looking to 1addicts to give insight into my options here. What have you done to squeeze some extra ponies out of the N52?

[Rmtt]

I've done a 3 stage intake, AA catless headers, and will be doing MILVS soon. Most people agree that lands you somewhere in the 270bhp-280bhp range.

Just the intake and headers have made a major improvement in power delivery and how it drives.

However, the key ingredient that is still missing is TQ. Even with all I've done and finish the MILVS, I would be lucky to see 250rwhp. But TQ is something that does not comes as easy. I don't think I've ever seen a dyno where someone hit 230+ TQ to the wheels.

Even with the supercharger option with the stock pulley, I think I've seen dyno's of around 300 rwhp, but still no more than 250 rwtq.

But also understand that the power delivery is fun in a different way. The car loves to rev and does so effortlessly to 7K with no lag like a turbo will give.

I also have a C6 with over 450 rwtq, and it's a completely different animal. But the 128i is still fun to drive in its own way.

[desertman123]

Wouldn't bother with N54 or N55 swap. Way too much effort when you could sell the car and buy one with that motor already in it.

[rowsdower]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Wouldn't bother with N54 or N55 swap. Way too much effort when you could sell the car and buy one with that motor already in it.

Agree, buy a 135i and sell your 128i. If you're going to swap, go S65!

[carscatscoffee15]

Originally Posted by RayBae

I'm fairly new here and I'll get straight to the point.

I own a 2011 128i/E82 (Only sold In Canada and the US) with the N52B30 engine, and automatic transmission. The stock 228 bhp isn't cutting it, and I'm looking at, and weighing my options to increase horsepower.

Thoughts I've had:

• Converting it to manual transmission
• Cold air intake
• JDM chip/coding to decrease throttle lag and increase responsivity
• N54 swap
• N55 swap

The N54 swap would provide me 335 bhp and would be the ultimate upgrade. They go for a few thousand dollars on eBay.

The N54/N55 swap is the main inquiry this thread attempts to make. I don't want to spend more than the blackbook value ($9000 CAD) of the car on a swap. That doesn't seem logical. I do however, absolutely love this car; and putting an inline 6 turbo with 332 lb/f of torque in a 1000lb RWD coupe is - obviously - awesome.

My car has never seen winter and has massive potential for a track car or project car (aside from being auto)

I'm looking to 1addicts to give insight into my options here. What have you done to squeeze some extra ponies out of the N52?

I currently have headers and the AA cat back exhaust and it's a hoot to drive in it's current state. In August I will have MILVs and a 3IM done with a retune for the power amounts that Rmtt has stated. I have explored the intake options but have to look into other user's reviews/experiences.

I do plan to do the manual conversion at some point in the cars life so that's the next route for me.. and that is also the costliest.

[RayBae]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Wouldn't bother with N54 or N55 swap. Way too much effort when you could sell the car and buy one with that motor already in it.

No? You don't say? Those engines come in a car? Who would've guessed. I thought they just appeared on eBay out of thin air.

Thanks, Captain Obvious.

[RayBae]

Originally Posted by Rmtt

I've done a 3 stage intake, AA catless headers, and will be doing MILVS soon. Most people agree that lands you somewhere in the 270bhp-280bhp range.

That's what I'm talking about. What did you go with for part models and brands? Maybe drop some links for your intake and headers?

[RayBae]

Originally Posted by rowsdower

Agree, buy a 135i and sell your 128i. If you're going to swap, go S65!

I knew it was worth posting here. I hadn't even looked into the S65 engines. They go for more - obviously - but push 420 HP at 8,300 rpm.

What's the bolting pattern like? We may have to replace the subframe. Has anyone attempted this?

Also, any other swap suggestions?

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by RayBae

No? You don't say? Those engines come in a car? Who would've guessed. I thought they just appeared on eBay out of thin air.

Thanks, Captain Obvious.

Lol I'm telling you its a waste of time money and effort, no need to be a dick. You do realize there's WAY more to that swap than just dropping the motor in? 135is have upgraded brakes, a stronger transmission, different hubs, axles, diff, multiple different ECUs, etc.

Are you gonna try and bolt an N54 to a 128i automatic transmission? Lemme know how that goes.

Click the link in my signature for my list of mods. I'm FBO.

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by RayBae

That's what I'm talking about. What did you go with for part models and brands? Maybe drop some links for your intake and headers?

Follow the link in desertman123 signature.

His build is actually what I'm basing my own build own. He outlines everything he did, and how to be the most cost efficient.

To help with the lack of TQ feeling, I swapped the stock 3:23 differiential with one from an automatic car that has stock 3:73 gears. Again....stolen idea from him!

But with everything I've done, I still probably have less than $1500 in parts in it and no install costs as I did all of the work myself so far.

You just have to look around. For example, I got the rear differiential on the junk cars network (Carparts) out of an automatic that had been wrecked in the front and totalled. The car had less than 25K miles on it, and I got the complete rear unit shipped to me for about $185. I just changed the fluid in it, then installed it.

[c1pher]

I will say shorter gears make a huge difference in acceleration and help compensate for a lack of power. The key is getting it right. Try to stick with a wheel/tire size (affects gearing too) along with gears where 2nd will take you just above 60mph and avoiding a second shift to get there. Gears reduce mpg but obviously that’s not your goal.

I’d avoid a supercharger on a car not really designed for it. It can be fun at first but almost always results in headaches even if you don’t blow the motor. I’d just do a full bolt on and good tune.

It will cost less than your limit but honestly, I’d just switch to an m235i. I realize it’s more than you probably want to spend, so maybe swap to a 228i,preferably with M Sport package. You can find them around $15k. This will give you a turbocharged motor with more room to grow power wise and a good platform to expand suspension upgrades.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by RayBae

No? You don't say? Those engines come in a car? Who would've guessed. I thought they just appeared on eBay out of thin air.

Thanks, Captain Obvious.

You asked about swapping an n54/55, he answered. No need to be a jerk. There is a lot of info on this site if you spend the time to look around. Especially the 128 subsection and build threads.

The 128 is about balance, and there are pretty decent gains with a few mods. If the 128 had a DCT available I would have bought one & modified it.

Oh and welcome to the forum. Your car looks nice & clean. I'm surprised 20" wheels fit without rubbing.

[c1pher]

Just one other thought, since you’re not worried about matching numbers etc is if you want a fast car with peace of mind, consider an LS engine swap. You can get 430hp and don’t need to mess with all the BMW DME weirdness. And from a maintenance standpoint, it’s pretty bulletproof. I believe they make kits for E36s so would be good to check if other kits are offered. You can get a fully dressed and ready to drive kit for right around $9k. Might be able to go cheaper if you look for everything salvage but will take a lot longer and you still need to buy the control unit etc.

[rowsdower]

Originally Posted by RayBae

I knew it was worth posting here. I hadn't even looked into the S65 engines. They go for more - obviously - but push 420 HP at 8,300 rpm.

What's the bolting pattern like? We may have to replace the subframe. Has anyone attempted this?

Also, any other swap suggestions?

I was kind of joking to be honest. I've seen a handful of these swaps on this forum and other sites. It usually accompanies a 1M clone project - adding 1M fenders and bumpers, which requires the car to be repainted or at the very least, wrapped. Check out this thread to get a sense of the level of work involved. I have not seen an S65 swap without the body work. A 1M/S65 project is likely tens of thousands of dollars if you do most of the work yourself. It's an epic project but not a practical answer to someone who is asking how to get more power from their 128i.

In my opinion, you should first decide what it is that you want out of this car. Do you want 400+hp and 8300RPM? It would make more sense to just buy an M3. If you're looking for "just a little more", then headers/tune/MILVs may be enough. But that's where the road ends for the 128i. If you want serious power and love this platform, selling your car and buying a 135i is 100% the way to go.

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by c1pher

I will say shorter gears make a huge difference in acceleration and help compensate for a lack of power. The key is getting it right. Try to stick with a wheel/tire size (affects gearing too) along with gears where 2nd will take you just above 60mph and avoiding a second shift to get there. Gears reduce mpg but obviously that’s not your goal.

I’d avoid a supercharger on a car not really designed for it. It can be fun at first but almost always results in headaches even if you don’t blow the motor. I’d just do a full bolt on and good tune.

It will cost less than your limit but honestly, I’d just switch to an m235i. I realize it’s more than you probably want to spend, so maybe swap to a 228i,preferably with M Sport package. You can find them around $15k. This will give you a turbocharged motor with more room to grow power wise and a good platform to expand suspension upgrades.

I agree. I would not put FI on this car as even staying on the conservative side, the returns you get from power don't warrant the cost of the kit.

Plus I'm seeing more and more posts of people who are starting to experience engine failures.

Like I said, with what I've done and plan to complete, my car may be 240-250rwhp and maybe 225rwtq. Couple that with the 3:73's, and it's a fun little car that makes for a nice daily driver that you enjoy getting into.

I have my weekend car for satisfying my power "itch", and will probably be replacing it within a year or so for a C7 and start modding that as LS motors are so easy to make huge power with just a few mods.

[NorthernDancer]

Originally Posted by RayBae

No? You don't say? Those engines come in a car? Who would've guessed. I thought they just appeared on eBay out of thin air.

Thanks, Captain Obvious.

Don't be a jerk; desertman123 was correct-best way to go. And most of us would have put on a BMW PE before those wheels.

[RayBae]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Lol I'm telling you its a waste of time money and effort, no need to be a dick. You do realize there's WAY more to that swap than just dropping the motor in? 135is have upgraded brakes, a stronger transmission, different hubs, axles, diff, multiple different ECUs, etc.

Are you gonna try and bolt an N54 to a 128i automatic transmission? Lemme know how that goes.

Click the link in my signature for my list of mods. I'm FBO.

I'm just playfully razzing you bud. Don't take offence.

I noticed you did the MILV upgrade. What exactly do those accomplish? No one has suggested that to me yet. I know they abbreviate Modified Intake Lift Valvetronic Supports but I'm still not really sure what that means.

[RayBae]

Originally Posted by c1pher

I’d just switch to an m235i. I realize it’s more than you probably want to spend, so maybe swap to a 228i,preferably with M Sport package.

That's a good suggestion. I'm going to keep my current car because I'm comfortable knowing exactly what I'm working with.

Here in Canada, most cars are winter driven, and get rusty. My 1 is actually incredibly rare here. There might be 4 other 1's in my city of 400,000 people. Guaranteed, all 4 have been winter driven.

[RayBae]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

Don't be a jerk; desertman123 was correct-best way to go. And most of us would have put on a BMW PE before those wheels.

He's knows I'm just teasing. Sorry, "PE"? I'm not sure what you're abbreviating there. Be specific and concise so others will glean the advice you impart here.

[RayBae]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Oh and welcome to the forum. Your car looks nice & clean. I'm surprised 20" wheels fit without rubbing.

Thank you. I should probably do a fitment guide. It was not easy getting them to fit. It's rarely been done, so I was motivated. Super happy with how they turned out. The kit wasn't cheap!

[RayBae]

Originally Posted by c1pher

Just one other thought, since you’re not worried about matching numbers etc is if you want a fast car with peace of mind, consider an LS engine swap. You can get 430hp and don’t need to mess with all the BMW DME weirdness. And from a maintenance standpoint, it’s pretty bulletproof. I believe they make kits for E36s so would be good to check if other kits are offered. You can get a fully dressed and ready to drive kit for right around $9k. Might be able to go cheaper if you look for everything salvage but will take a lot longer and you still need to buy the control unit etc.

Nice. Who sells the kits? Drop us a link.

[RayBae]

Originally Posted by rowsdower

I was kind of joking to be honest. I've seen a handful of these swaps on this forum and other sites. It usually accompanies a 1M clone project - adding 1M fenders and bumpers, which requires the car to be repainted or at the very least, wrapped. Check out this thread to get a sense of the level of work involved. I have not seen an S65 swap without the body work. A 1M/S65 project is likely tens of thousands of dollars if you do most of the work yourself. It's an epic project but not a practical answer to someone who is asking how to get more power from their 128i.

In my opinion, you should first decide what it is that you want out of this car. Do you want 400+hp and 8300RPM? It would make more sense to just buy an M3. If you're looking for "just a little more", then headers/tune/MILVs may be enough. But that's where the road ends for the 128i. If you want serious power and love this platform, selling your car and buying a 135i is 100% the way to go.

I'm reading his thread now!

A clear direction for this thread should be: How to get the most power out of the 128i. Swap, enhancements, recommendations across all boards - that don't include selling it for a different car.

Some links to headers and tunes would be amazing. We all talk about them, but it benefits readers most to have specific product examples and comparisons.