A recent project of mine.. DIY engine swap

328i · 01-09-2010, 01:12 AM

So I bought a 350z off an e46fanatics member a few weeks ago and I've finally had enough time to start working on it. A sprained ankle delayed the start of this, but I can get around now so I can get some work done. Sorry for the low quality pics, but I don't want to get my camera covered in grease and oil so I've been using my phone to take pics.

I knew the previous owner money shifted so it was clear the best way to go about this was to just replace the entire engine. To my surprise the car started up once I charged the battery, but I only let it run for a couple of seconds as the noises it made were pretty horrid.:rofl: When pulling the engine I would find a nice surprise as well, I'll snap a pic of that later.

Here's what I started with, the car on the trailer:

On the driveway where it sat until I found a motor:

New motor I picked up:

Ready to begin the swap:

Day 1-Pulling the front end parts for easy access begins with the body work first:

Day 2- Engine almost ready to be pulled, all wiring disconnected, manifolds unbolted(this was a huge hassle as the nuts were very rusted) and just waiting to hook up the hoist and separate it form the transmission:

Day 3- 0 Hp, engine free and minor parts swapping begins onto new engine, first major set backs; a broken starter and a damaged flywheel bolt(done by whoever installed the clutch):

Donald-335i · 01-09-2010, 02:37 AM

please tell me its a ls1 swap...

mkPOTO · 01-09-2010, 02:50 AM

very nice, how much did you pay for it may i ask?

reno808 · 01-09-2010, 06:18 AM

Dude that's awsome good shit keep us updated. Aare u doing anything special or is it a stright up swap

itsbrokeagain · 01-09-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donald-335i

please tell me its a ls1 swap...

he said he's doing a straight swap...

vgame64 · 01-09-2010, 09:08 AM

Looks fun/challenging Pat. Where are you doing all this?

Ender514 · 01-09-2010, 09:45 AM

did you get the HR motor?

328i · 01-09-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donald-335i

please tell me its a ls1 swap...

I figured it would be too much work making the electronics work, and it would cost me much more than this. Doesn't make sense to do on a car I don't plan on keeping longer than a year or 2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

very nice, how much did you pay for it may i ask?

Check your PM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reno808

Dude that's awsome good shit keep us updated. Aare u doing anything special or is it a stright up swap

Straight up swap for simplicity,

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsbrokeagain

he said he's doing a straight swap...

Yep, motors are identical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vgame64

Looks fun/challenging Pat. Where are you doing all this?

I'm doing it in my garage, I have one of these bad boys if I get a bit cold

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ender514

did you get the HR motor?

Nope, went with a DE. I would have considered an HR motor but looking on the Z forums I was told it would require a lot more work than it's worth.

vgame64 · 01-09-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328i

I figured it would be too much work making the electronics work, and it would cost me much more than this. Doesn't make sense to do on a car I don't plan on keeping longer than a year or 2.

Check your PM.

Straight up swap for simplicity,

Yep, motors are identical.

I'm doing it in my garage, I have one of these bad boys if I get a bit cold

Nope, went with a DE. I would have considered an HR motor but looking on the Z forums I was told it would require a lot more work than it's worth.

Nice Pat...in your garage...damn. Let me know when you next work on it...I'd love to drop by and sneak a peak.

(and perhaps lend a hand lol)

328i · 01-09-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vgame64

Nice Pat...in your garage...damn. Let me know when you next work on it...I'd love to drop by and sneak a peak.

(and perhaps lend a hand lol)

Yep, I borrowed an engine lift so it's not too bad, I was surprised at the few tools I was able to do this with. Nothing special besides some torx bits. Besides that everything is either 10, 12, 14 or 17 mm for the most part.

Unfortunately I'm not sure when I'll be able to get the new engine in or get anymore work done, as I can't seem to find a clutch alignment tool anywhere and may have to order it online which will delay me a week or so.

Oh and my starter broke into two pieces when trying to remove the positive cable from it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldasicex5

DAMN! good luck

Thanks bro!

328i · 01-09-2010, 07:45 PM

Heres the old engine

justice · 01-09-2010, 09:56 PM

Looks like fun, through a turbo on it and start drifting.

itsbrokeagain · 01-10-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328i

Heres the old engine

surprise!!

I call this art:

"Connecting Rod on Moonlit Walk through Oil Pan"

itsbrokeagain · 01-10-2010, 12:22 AM

at least you got a real clean car for prolly next to nothing...thatwould make a nice daily driver

Donald-335i · 01-10-2010, 03:52 PM

hows it coming?

RevC · 01-10-2010, 05:39 PM

looks like a fun project! good choice going with the DE platform. keep us updated

335i_LeMans_pkgmax · 01-11-2010, 10:18 AM

Nice work man keep up the good work

Craig@SupremePower · 01-11-2010, 10:19 AM

nice project!!

328i · 01-13-2010, 10:57 AM

Got the car together Monday night..had a slight tapping noise that I thought was just a lifter without enough oil since it sat for a while. Started it yesterday..noise went away for a bit until the new engine blew. I'm a little pissed to say the least. A few days worth of work completely down the drain, plus the $$ spent on the motor.

Donald-335i · 01-13-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328i

Got the car together Monday night..had a slight tapping noise that I thought was just a lifter without enough oil since it sat for a while. Started it yesterday..noise went away for a bit until the new engine blew. I'm a little pissed to say the least. A few days worth of work completely down the drain, plus the $$ spent on the motor.

?!?! why would it blow again?

reno808 · 01-13-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328i

Got the car together Monday night..had a slight tapping noise that I thought was just a lifter without enough oil since it sat for a while. Started it yesterday..noise went away for a bit until the new engine blew. I'm a little pissed to say the least. A few days worth of work completely down the drain, plus the $$ spent on the motor.

WTF did this motor come with warrenty?

a32guy · 01-13-2010, 12:38 PM

Cool project! Hopefully you make some good cash flipping it!

01-09-2010, 01:12 AM	#1
328i Colonel 153 Rep 2,935 Posts Drives: E46 ///M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: central NJ iTrader: (15)	A recent project of mine.. DIY engine swap So I bought a 350z off an e46fanatics member a few weeks ago and I've finally had enough time to start working on it. A sprained ankle delayed the start of this, but I can get around now so I can get some work done. Sorry for the low quality pics, but I don't want to get my camera covered in grease and oil so I've been using my phone to take pics. I knew the previous owner money shifted so it was clear the best way to go about this was to just replace the entire engine. To my surprise the car started up once I charged the battery, but I only let it run for a couple of seconds as the noises it made were pretty horrid.:rofl: When pulling the engine I would find a nice surprise as well, I'll snap a pic of that later. Here's what I started with, the car on the trailer: On the driveway where it sat until I found a motor: New motor I picked up: Ready to begin the swap: Day 1-Pulling the front end parts for easy access begins with the body work first: Day 2- Engine almost ready to be pulled, all wiring disconnected, manifolds unbolted(this was a huge hassle as the nuts were very rusted) and just waiting to hook up the hoist and separate it form the transmission: Day 3- 0 Hp, engine free and minor parts swapping begins onto new engine, first major set backs; a broken starter and a damaged flywheel bolt(done by whoever installed the clutch):
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01-09-2010, 02:37 AM	#2
Donald-335i Banned 210 Rep 3,588 Posts Drives: The Hoes Crazy! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (13)	please tell me its a ls1 swap...
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01-09-2010, 02:50 AM	#3
mkPOTO Mr. Nice Says Hello 659 Rep 16,661 Posts Drives: BMW M3 \| X5 xdrive 35i MSport Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (25) Garage List 2002 Lexus GS300 [0.00] 2008 BMW E92 M3 [5.58]	very nice, how much did you pay for it may i ask?
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01-09-2010, 06:18 AM	#4
reno808 Banned 10 Rep 345 Posts Drives: Fiat Panda Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: C&C Motorsports Garage iTrader: (2)	Dude that's awsome good shit keep us updated. Aare u doing anything special or is it a stright up swap
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01-09-2010, 09:08 AM	#6
vgame64 Colonel 143 Rep 2,479 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Looks fun/challenging Pat. Where are you doing all this? __________________ Car:2008 E90 335i \| BSM \| ZPP \| ZSP \| 6AT Paddles \| Black Leather \| Dark Burl Walnut \| Heated Seats Mods: (All OEM) \| BMW Performance CF Splitters \| BMW Blackline Taillights \| BMW Rear Deck Spoiler \| BMW Performance Auto Shift Knob and Alcantara Boot \| BMW Black Dakota Leather Split Folding Armrest \| BMW Euro Fog Light Switch \| BMW Style 193M Wheels \| BMW Performance Gloss Black Kidney Grills \| BMW Front Clear Bra \| BMW Performance Steering Wheel (non-elec)
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01-09-2010, 09:45 AM	#7
Ender514 General 228 Rep 20,998 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	did you get the HR motor? __________________ 09' E92 335i \| 6MT \| Montego Blue \| Black Dakota Leather \| Dark Burl Walnut \| Premium \| Sport \| Cold Weather \| Nav \| Sirius \| Comfort Access \| iPod and USB adapter
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01-09-2010, 07:45 PM	#11
328i Colonel 153 Rep 2,935 Posts Drives: E46 ///M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: central NJ iTrader: (15)	Heres the old engine Attached Images
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01-09-2010, 09:56 PM	#12
justice Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenixville, PA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i w/sport p ... [0.00]	Looks like fun, through a turbo on it and start drifting. __________________ 330i Sport Package, 6spd, Terra interior.... suspension, wheels, and tint coming soon.
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01-10-2010, 12:22 AM	#14
itsbrokeagain 314 Rep 15,747 Posts Drives: 1999 528iT, E53 X5, E46 325xi Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Strong Island iTrader: (7)	at least you got a real clean car for prolly next to nothing...thatwould make a nice daily driver
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01-10-2010, 03:52 PM	#15
Donald-335i Banned 210 Rep 3,588 Posts Drives: The Hoes Crazy! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (13)	hows it coming?
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01-10-2010, 05:39 PM	#16
RevC Lieutenant General 179 Rep 11,768 Posts Drives: a couple fast toys Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Voorhees+cherry hill,NJ iTrader: (26)	looks like a fun project! good choice going with the DE platform. keep us updated __________________ -Rev SGM e92 335xi\|Helix\|AFE\|AWE\|PROCEDE\|SYNAPSE\|ER\|OSS\|BMW PERFORMANCE\|P3\|always growing..
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01-11-2010, 10:18 AM	#17
335i_LeMans_pkgmax Brigadier General 33 Rep 3,030 Posts Drives: 09 - 335i Xdrive Sdn Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Nice work man keep up the good work __________________ 09' E90 335i xDrive \| 6MT \| LeMans Blue \| Black Dakota Leather \| Aluminum Trim \| Premium \| Sport \| Cold Weather \| iPod and USB adapter pWa
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01-11-2010, 10:19 AM	#18
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1028 Rep 74,992 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)	nice project!!
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01-13-2010, 10:57 AM	#19
328i Colonel 153 Rep 2,935 Posts Drives: E46 ///M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: central NJ iTrader: (15)	Got the car together Monday night..had a slight tapping noise that I thought was just a lifter without enough oil since it sat for a while. Started it yesterday..noise went away for a bit until the new engine blew. I'm a little pissed to say the least. A few days worth of work completely down the drain, plus the $$ spent on the motor.
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01-13-2010, 12:38 PM	#22
a32guy First Lieutenant 31 Rep 374 Posts Drives: AW 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (2)	Cool project! Hopefully you make some good cash flipping it!
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