[SlowF31]

Figured DIY section is the best place to put this post since it will be very
Do. It. Yourself…

As the title title states I’ll be putting a turbo s52 that I had in my old e36 into an e91 328i and then mating a 2014 M4 Gen2 DCT to it as well.

The overall goal is to LEARN with this project. Everything from building custom engine/transmission mounts to custom wiring and learning about CANbus as well as how to throw bondo and paint on a car. I’ll use this post as a reference and guide for people in the future who are or doing something similar or might run into issues that I know I’ll encounter!

Iv done ALOT of pre-planning (famous last words) I have a google doc that’s about 3 pages long now with information and other resources for me to reference and how I want to do this whole swap. It’s going to be a long project but I hope to keep this thread updated as best I can as I progress so bear with me if there is nothing new happening everyday. I’m gonna do my best to document and photograph everything as I go along and upload it.

So to the meat and potatoes; I have split it all up into phases.
Phase 1:

• Purchase everything to get the motor mocked up in the chassis
• Try to get old key or have BMW make a new one
• Remove existing motor and trans & Try and sell
• Go through existing engine harness and see what is needed and what is not
• Remove existing Engine harness & ECU
• Mock up engine and trans in engine bay (to align w/ n52 crankshaft positioning)
• Mock up engine & trans mounts (to align w/ n52 crankshaft positioning)
• Build engine and trans mounts (SendCutSend or Spare DOM Rollcage material)
• Mount and Secure Engine & Trans
• Measure for driveshaft and order driveshaft parts

Phase 2:

• Order 335i radiator & Spal fans
• Order vsrf e90 intercooler
• Order oil cooler ducts
• Order AN Lines & Fittings
• Order Radium Fuel surge tank & filter
• Order radium fuel rail
• Figure out boost reference setup
• Pick up coilover (TBD)
• Install coilovers (TBD)

Phase 3:

• Start working on wiring
• Order 22rpd Maxx m50 harness
• Order DCT Wiring from Maxxecu
• Order DCT items from Maxxecu
• Clean up engine wiring harness & chassis interior harness
• Install new wiring engine harness
• Make custom harness for DCT 12v,gnd,park,hi&lo CAN
• Check wiring
• Double check wiring
• Test wiring
• Start wrapping wiring
• Clean up interior
• Wrap trim gloss black
• Install interior
• Figure out missing interior parts needed

Phase 4:

• Start working on custom fabrication
• Downpipe fabrication
• Mid pipe fab & out the back (keep stock 328i tips)
• Order exhaust Venturi kit
• Install intercooler
• Intercooler pipe fabrication

[ppointer]

I like this project for a couple of reasons:

I have a DCT in one of my BMWs and it is a great transmission.

I sold my e91 AT to a close friend last year, and he converted it to MT. I got to drive it in the fall, and I could find no evidence it didn't come from the factory that way. A beautiful driver. Even the cruise control and brake-hold functions worked, just like on my e92 MT.

Hope this transplant goes well!

[Tambohamilton]

[M-technik-3]

Interesting project. Why use such an old powerplant? Figuring to keep costs down?

[SlowF31]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Interesting project. Why use such an old powerplant? Figuring to keep costs down?

Cost is not really a concern for this project. Pulled the motor from my old E36 that I retired.
I am also not a super big fan of the n5X motors (for a few reasons) and didn’t want to go LS or full s55 swap.

TLDR; I know the e36 motors decently well and have two of them why not try to make it all work together?!

[M-technik-3]

Nothing wrong with M/S5X series they make for great workhorse if taken care of like most engines. I still have a m50b25NV in one of our lemons build and that thing is great.

We run it with S50 cams for an extra bit of hp.

[SlowF31]

Bit of an update.
I think I’ll make update posts in the replies and then update the main post in each phase as I go along. By the end it will be pretty long main post.

Ended up going to a dealership and getting a new key since P/O lost it. Tried to get the factory N52 to fire up but nada has fuel, air, and spark but oh well.

I started pulling measurements and 3D scanning the engine mounts and trans mount locations to have as a reference when I go to build the new ones in CAD. I was going to just slap some metal together and call it good but I figured I might as well take the time to position the s52 crank centerline with the factory n52 centerline to avoid any future problems with angles and unwanted vibrations.

Also dived into the wiring briefly to clean up and get my eyes on the DME box with the spaghetti of e9x wiring. Went through what connectors I have and verified through ISTA what each wire does and where it goes to. Main things I was looking for was CAS Brake switch, Starter wire, and the wiring that goes to CAS to keep the factory start button and PT CANBus to keep the factory CAN network happy. I didn’t just wanna go gunho with the wire cutters and start snipping wires due to me wanting to keep majority of the wiring for the time being until I can mock the S52 up and get th3 engine harness from 22rpd.

I’ll probably plan to pull the N52 this coming weekend (fingers crossed)!