S55 Swap???

[BLU135i]

I know there have been some S65 swaps out there....anyone hear of anybody doing or planning a S55 swap. I know its a new engine, but there is bound to be someone who is going to try this.

[135Pats]

Someone will but I don't see the point. E8x isn't a special chassis or anything like that, it's just blessed by two truly outstanding motors (N54, N52/1) and one very good one (N55).

Personally I think the S65 is a FAR more impressive motor than the S55. The 55 looks strong off the lot, but let's see how much headroom is in it. Obviously it's very modern, efficient, all that good stuff. But if i'm doing a swap, it's S54 or bust if we're talking 6 cylinders.

[mike@x-ph.com]

The n55/n54 are great engines there is really no point in getting the S65 unless you lose your engine and find an s55 for cheap

[ilikebmxbikes]

The s55 does not offer enough advantage than the n54 to make the swap. I think an s55 into an m235i would likely swap over better.

[Andrewcoja]

With mike's typo up there, I'd do an S65 or LS3 swap if my engine were to blow.

[Silenus]

The S55 shares 75% of its components with the N55. It's good, but not worth a $30k swap.

The N54 is so good that there is no reason to swap anything else into the car.

[BLU135i]

Originally Posted by Silenus

The S55 shares 75% of its components with the N55. It's good, but not worth a $30k swap.

The N54 is so good that there is no reason to swap anything else into the car.

I have a N55. But actually what I am reading about turbo swaps on another post here has me feeling better. I just enjoy my car and enjoy modding it and making it my own. Never owned a car that I kept stock yet. Lol

[desertfox85]

I have a '12 128i with the extended warranty expiring in 2018. I fully intend to make this car a project and do an engine swap. To the OP, I was looking at the S55 as an option but because it is new I have 2 years to see how it plays out and what people are able to do with it. My other option was the S65 (i have considered an LS series motor but decided I want to keep with BMW guts). So, in 2 years, to the OP...I'll let ya know lol

Plenty of people have told me not to bother with this, "Just buy an M3 and call it a day" they say. I love the body style of the 1 series and want to have fun making it unique/my own. I dont care about the cost, thats not an issue to me.

[John_01]

If you put in a S55, does it mean you need to change to electric power steering?

Apart from that, I'm not convinced about the liquid/air intercooler for the S55.

[Downeaster1]

If you are planning on doing the swap, a few things have to be addressed. Firstly, steering. The subframe mounting can stay the same, but if you are planning on keeping the OEM plumbing for the turbos, it won't work. The rear turbo inlet will hit the frame, so custom fabrication is required. Secondly, the top-mounted heat exchanger won't clear the factory hood. It will either be necessary to have an aftermarket hood, or seek alternative cooling solutions (such as the typical front mounted intercooler with the secondary cooling system deleted). Then there is the steering. The location to bolt a power steering pump to the S55 interestingly enough exists, thus making either a swap to an existing F80/F82 possible, or a swap of the S55 into an older hydraulic steering vehicle less complicated. A "crossover" module for PT-CAN information will have to be installed and coded to intercept the bus information to convert to the older style cluster and FRM. Dynamic shifting has to be coded off, otherwise every time you go to downshift, it will redline the engine due to the transmission not having individual gear sensors. DSC will also need to be tweaked for different power input. There are other small physical compatibly issues, as well electrical/coding hurdles, but that's the basics of it.

EDIT: You also have to double up the fuel feed lines and put in a T connection with a fuel line suitable for low pressure. The S55 has two high pressure fuel pumps that need equal feed pressure. In terms of cooling, the heat exchanger coolant reservoir must be relocated to the drivers side (instead of in the back) to clear the hood properly. If anyone has any more questions, feel free to message me.

[xadonxander]

I have an e82 135i and a complete s55 engine, harness and DME if anyone has further information I would like to do the swap.