Engine Swap Questions

Are OBD-I to OBD-II swaps possible and worth it. And how about going from a M50TU to an M50 engine? Just a few questions I had because of my options on engines.

Yes.

Not really. Typically people convert their OBD-II engines to OBD-I.


Go big or go home. Get a small block V8 or an M3 engine.

Originally Posted by petriej

Yes.

Not really. Typically people convert their OBD-II engines to OBD-I.


Go big or go home. Get a small block V8 or an M3 engine.

Yea I have seen quite a bit of posts on OBD-II to OBD-I. Well my plan is to just rebuild the m50 with stock engine components. Then once my m50tu is out I'm going to rebuild it for performance then put it back in and sell the m50.

I know this is a bit off topic but somewhat related... can you use a 5 series motor in your 3 series? Like petriej said, go big or go home! LOL!

The 4 and 6 cyl engines, definitely. The V8s are more of a struggle, but will fit.

Well aside from the V8s, the 5-Series used the same 6-cylinder engines as the 3-Series, so you're not really "going big" if you use a 2.5L or 2.8L from a 5-Series.

Originally Posted by ZeGerman

Well aside from the V8s, the 5-Series used the same 6-cylinder engines as the 3-Series, so you're not really "going big" if you use a 2.5L or 2.8L from a 5-Series.

Unless you put the 3.0 v8 they put in the later models. But that's a whole new ball game. I'd prefer to stick around the 2.5 to 2.8 range lol. Not to mention how big of a difference would it really make?

Originally Posted by hunter94

Unless you put the 3.0 v8 they put in the later models. But that's a whole new ball game. I'd prefer to stick around the 2.5 to 2.8 range lol. Not to mention how big of a difference would it really make?

I'm not following you on that first sentence, but if you take an I6 engine from the early E39s it will be the same as the E36. M52.

The 3.0L V8 was a turd. Power of an I6 with the thirst of V8. And yeah, swapping one in would be a serious PITA, as would swapping in the later 4.0L V8.

Originally Posted by petriej

I'm not following you on that first sentence, but if you take an I6 engine from the early E39s it will be the same as the E36. M52.

I was just saying it was possible to put the 3.0 v8 and stating it would be difficult and not worth it. Agreed, the only difference is the newer ones are OBD-II and from my understanding hard to swap into an earlier model.

Originally Posted by ZeGerman

The 3.0L V8 was a turd. Power of an I6 with the thirst of V8. And yeah, swapping one in would be a serious PITA, as would swapping in the later 4.0L V8.

Haha, that's why I'm not going to put a v8 in. Much easier to stick with the i6s. But vanos or non vanos is what I'm trying to figure out.

Buy an s50(95 m3) and just keep everything OBD1 for a good power increase for not "too" much money.

Originally Posted by TRaV MaNN

Buy an s50(95 m3) and just keep everything OBD1 for a good power increase for not "too" much money.

Its hard to find s50s where I live. I can pick up a m50 for about 200 right now. And a manual transmission for 200 for a 5 speed swap. Or I can pick up a 95 325i for 800 with an engine that has cylinder problems and a manual transmission with all good exterior and interior parts and its the same color as my e36.