What all engines can fit my 97 528i?

Will an engine from an e34 525i fit into my e39 528i?
What all engines are compatible?

Originally Posted by lilwhtbeamer

Will an engine from an e34 525i fit into my e39 528i?
What all engines are compatible?

Um why would you want to do this?? The engine computer systems changed from the e34 to the e39 and it is more difficult to retrofit an e34 into an e39. Why would you want to put an older engine into the car?

Unless you have time, mad skills, and money, the engine that is compatible with your car is the engine is in the car.

True that. I dont want to put an older engine in my e39, i just dont know what kinds of engines would fit.
help?

this one

Ls-1....

The '97-'98 528i's have the M52 engine. In 1999 it changed to the m52-tu which added dual VANOS, DISA valve and other electronic changes. Trying to swap anything other than an M52 will cause more problems than it's worth.

Gary

What about an S52B32 then?I know it's not the cheapest option, but can the DME be made to work?

Similar question. I am considering buying a nice '98 528 with a blown motor. I have a M52B28 from a '98 328i that I assume would go in without much trouble or I might want to try finding an M62 which I also assume would fit. Not sure it would mate with the tranny though. It has the 5 speed manual and I think the 540i came with the 6 speed. Anyone know if I can use the M62 on that tranny?

What engine would fit but for what reason? If you have the dough you can put whatever damn engine you want.

If I was going to spend a bunch of money trying to put a v8 in it, then I would definitely be putting a ls1 motor under the hood.

It's a bit blasphemous but why not implant a 2jz-gte or an RB26-dett N1 in her since money is no issue? I mean why else ask the question if you have unlimited resources, right? Better yet, throw a Nelson Racing Engine on that hoe and rock 1500WHP!

Or just try this one:

Not sure how we got off on a tangent about money not being an issue, but if that were the case we certainly wouldn't be discussing this in the e39 forum. Lets face it that is why we are all here.

Originally Posted by kmorgan_260

Similar question. I am considering buying a nice '98 528 with a blown motor. I have a M52B28 from a '98 328i that I assume would go in without much trouble or I might want to try finding an M62 which I also assume would fit. Not sure it would mate with the tranny though. It has the 5 speed manual and I think the 540i came with the 6 speed. Anyone know if I can use the M62 on that tranny?

The I6 & V8 e39s not only have different transmissions...but also do NOT share the same front suspension.

The V8 e39s (M62 & M62TU engines) have the old recirculating ball front suspension because there is not enough room in the e39's engine bay design for the updated rack-n-pinion front suspension that the I6 models got.

So installing a BMW V8 in an e39 6 cylinder model would require a complete different front suspension as well as transmission & rear end.

And as someone already mentioned...the easiest replacement engine is the same one being replaced...and in this case it's the M52 engine. If you don't know which BMWs used this engine...a simple internet search (wikipedia for instance) will reveal what other BMW models (and any other car model) used the same M52 engine. This will also include the engines displacement (B28 in this case).

FYI: one must also consider other BMW technology like EWS. One must consider the original DME since it has a coded ISN (individual serial number) that must match the other EWS components in order for the vehicle to start. So swapping in an entire engine & management system from another car can be fraught with issues if the other EWS components aren't brought over with the engine & engine management systems...but this is only an issue if one is not keeping the original engine management system.

Thanks for the good technical info. I am closing the deal on the car tomorrow and my plan is to put the M52 from my donor 328i in it. I am told I will have to swap the oil pans but otherwise it should be straightforward. I will use the DME that is already in the car so the EWS should be happy. Will post pics when I get it home.

This would be a good question for Bimmerforums.com