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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > N54 Swap



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      06-12-2017, 12:42 PM   #1
limpiabota809
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N54 Swap

Hey guys I am a new member here, I spend a lot of my time on e46fanatics. I just recently picked up an 07 335xi with 104K and a cracked oil pan for relatively cheap. I fixed the oil pan but the engine is knocking loud so I am thinking of replacing the engine with one from an 09 335xi with 69K on the dash.

I have a few questions on how to proceed as this project I might tackle it in my garage with a buddy. What should we do to the donor engine before putting it in? I know I would have to do the oil pan job again but would that be it? Is there recoding involved? I read here somewhere that injectors if they arent swapped from the old engine to the new one they need to be recoded also I have to use the DME for the donor engine correct? what about the keys to start the car whats the situation with that?

Any help and guidance would be helpful, heck if theres a DIY thread on swapping the n54 engine from a-z please link it here. I am also in the NE Philadelphia area if anyone wants to lend a hand lol beers on me.
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      06-12-2017, 12:53 PM   #2
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Hey, it's a bit to go over, but I'm just finishing up the process myself and I can give you my number if you want to PM me. It's a pretty straight forward process and I can send you pics and I've got a lot of info to make the removal and install a little more smooth.
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      06-12-2017, 01:12 PM   #3
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Anyone else looking for any specific info on parts of engine/tranny/turbo/diff removals/installs. Feel free to shoot me a message or post in here.
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      06-12-2017, 06:39 PM   #4
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I know it's not a direct comparison, but MNC Performance swapped an N54 into an E30 M3. They'll at least be able to give you some information on the engine transplant and maybe some insight on whether you need to keep the wiring/DME together with the coded engine, etc. ABR Houston also could probably help since they do N54 engine builds.
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      06-12-2017, 11:37 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mit_Boost View Post
I know it's not a direct comparison, but MNC Performance swapped an N54 into an E30 M3. They'll at least be able to give you some information on the engine transplant and maybe some insight on whether you need to keep the wiring/DME together with the coded engine, etc. ABR Houston also could probably help since they do N54 engine builds.

Thanks for steering me in that direction, I looked at ABR's website earlier their builds are pretty amazing with their closed decks blocks
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      06-12-2017, 11:56 PM   #6
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I've done a swap before. No injector recoding. No DME work.
It's obviously lots of work and take a lot of time, but it's quite straight forward. Mark your existing injectors with masking tape according to the cylinders they were originally from. Then you won't need to recode them.
Change out the oil pan gasket and the one-time use aluminum stretch bolts.
Change the oil pump pick up tube gasket. This gasket was a source of problems for my old engine.
Replace crank seals
See if your old or new valve cover looks better. Replace all VC gaskets. The oil filter housing gasket, oil cooler to OFH gasket.
If you don't have them yet, this is the best possible time to get inlets and outlets. With the engine out, it'll be crazily easy to install them. Removing and installing the rear inlet is a major PITA with the engine in the car. The outlets can be perfectly clamped onto the turbos and away from the manifolds.

Last edited by limitdown; 06-13-2017 at 12:30 AM..
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      04-23-2018, 04:43 PM   #7
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Wow almost a year and this project isnt done.

So after a tough year of issues its time to go back to the project, I picked up a donor engine out of an 09 Manual 335Xi with 69K on it. I know this engine has a 6 bolt flywheel, and my car should have an 8 bolt flywheel mounted to the torque converter because its Automatic. My question is, will this be a problem?
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      04-23-2018, 05:22 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by limpiabota809 View Post
Hey guys I am a new member here, I spend a lot of my time on e46fanatics. I just recently picked up an 07 335xi with 104K and a cracked oil pan for relatively cheap. I fixed the oil pan but the engine is knocking loud so I am thinking of replacing the engine with one from an 09 335xi with 69K on the dash.

I have a few questions on how to proceed as this project I might tackle it in my garage with a buddy. What should we do to the donor engine before putting it in? I know I would have to do the oil pan job again but would that be it? Is there recoding involved? I read here somewhere that injectors if they arent swapped from the old engine to the new one they need to be recoded also I have to use the DME for the donor engine correct? what about the keys to start the car whats the situation with that?

Any help and guidance would be helpful, heck if theres a DIY thread on swapping the n54 engine from a-z please link it here. I am also in the NE Philadelphia area if anyone wants to lend a hand lol beers on me.
How much are you paying for the motor ?

MMP sells a refurbished better than new n54 for around $3500.00

https://mmp-e.com/collections/produc...engine-program
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      04-23-2018, 08:34 PM   #9
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I paid $1600 shipped for a motor with 80k miles....I made sure to match with an 8 bolt, but I’m 6MT.
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      04-25-2018, 10:41 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mweisdorfer View Post
How much are you paying for the motor ?

MMP sells a refurbished better than new n54 for around $3500.00

https://mmp-e.com/collections/produc...engine-program
I picked it up for $1500 with the HFFP
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      04-25-2018, 11:08 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Crack View Post
I paid $1600 shipped for a motor with 80k miles....I made sure to match with an 8 bolt, but I’m 6MT.
Good find, I am thinking that I would need the 6 bolt flywheel of an auto N54 from 02/09 onward p/n 11228604045 for my swap.
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      04-25-2018, 12:38 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by limpiabota809 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Crack View Post
I paid $1600 shipped for a motor with 80k miles....I made sure to match with an 8 bolt, but I'm 6MT.
Good find, I am thinking that I would need the 6 bolt flywheel of an auto N54 from 02/09 onward p/n 11228604045 for my swap.
Ya, for the extra $2000.00 you might want to reconsider the used n54. Look at all the nice add ons you get not to mention everything else has been refurbished to OEM new spec. You can't say that about the used $1500.00 n54.
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      04-25-2018, 02:45 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mweisdorfer View Post
Ya, for the extra $2000.00 you might want to reconsider the used n54. Look at all the nice add ons you get not to mention everything else has been refurbished to OEM new spec. You can't say that about the used $1500.00 n54.
what add ons come with the 3500 price?
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      04-25-2018, 05:23 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by limpiabota809 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mweisdorfer View Post
Ya, for the extra $2000.00 you might want to reconsider the used n54. Look at all the nice add ons you get not to mention everything else has been refurbished to OEM new spec. You can't say that about the used $1500.00 n54.
what add ons come with the 3500 price?
The basic MMP built engine package for $3500 includes the following (other sell this for $5000-$6000, so MMP is by far the best value).

New King bearings and new performance piston rings

cylinder bore and hone with custom torque plate, bedplate torqued up, head gasket, and studs
deck block

balance rotating assembly

block flush and cleaning

all new gaskets

new hardware that is one time use replacement

hardware as specified by BMW

Bed alignment and torqueing with alignment jig

Custom Ring gapping depending on the HP application

bearing clearance setting and measurements

Full long block with head assembly with special tools from BMW and torqueing to spec

Engine timing with BMW timing tools

leakdown test

100% inspection of all components to be reused (as listed below). If something is found to have an issue and was expected to be reused, the customer will be contacted to approve the additional part cost.
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      04-25-2018, 06:09 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by limpiabota809 View Post
Hey guys I am a new member here, I spend a lot of my time on e46fanatics. I just recently picked up an 07 335xi with 104K and a cracked oil pan for relatively cheap. I fixed the oil pan but the engine is knocking loud so I am thinking of replacing the engine with one from an 09 335xi with 69K on the dash.
.
Literally SHOCKED to hear this... what the hell happened to the car man?? 109 is just getting broken in for an N54! Many of them running around with 250-300 original miles on them. Wth
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      04-25-2018, 08:46 PM   #16
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Well MMP does require a donor engine that is fit for the rebuild. So keep in mind you are refurbishing an engine for 3500 or swapping for 1600 and you get two engines. I would only go mmp if you plan to make some power. (over 600)
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      04-25-2018, 09:47 PM   #17
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If you can afford it or somehow come up with the money, I'd do this... about $12k would get you eoungh motor with steel rods and CLOSED deck (like a Supra), titanium valvetrain and hot cam, stage 3 ported race heads, arp studs etc. to support god knows how much, at least 1200hp. It's what I plan to do when my motor goes, hopefully around 250-300k (easily possible with these stout motors!)

https://www.abrhouston.com/
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      05-01-2018, 03:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quick335XI View Post
Literally SHOCKED to hear this... what the hell happened to the car man?? 109 is just getting broken in for an N54! Many of them running around with 250-300 original miles on them. Wth
I picked it up as it was with the cracked oil pan thinking that was the only issue but I am sure they ran it with no oil leading to it knocking.
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      05-01-2018, 03:41 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quick335XI View Post
If you can afford it or somehow come up with the money, I'd do this... about $12k would get you eoungh motor with steel rods and CLOSED deck (like a Supra), titanium valvetrain and hot cam, stage 3 ported race heads, arp studs etc. to support god knows how much, at least 1200hp. It's what I plan to do when my motor goes, hopefully around 250-300k (easily possible with these stout motors!)

https://www.abrhouston.com/
badass but only like you said if you need to put down serious power like 1200, I want to be around 5 no more than 6
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      05-18-2018, 01:29 PM   #20
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Any experience with mmp rebuild? I am thinking of going through them so some insight is appreciated.
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      05-20-2018, 08:20 PM   #21
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Any experience with mmp rebuild? I am thinking of going through them so some insight is appreciated.
I'd call them and ask for references of customers that have used this service.
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