[DMSpence]

I do automotive media as a profession, I'm eyeing the E91 328i as the deployable rear glass is a huge convenience for shooting rollers along with large cargo space but the car is too slow.

To keep it simple, what is the most cost-effective and simple method to increase the horsepower of an e91 328i 6mt to roughly 350 to 400whp? No restrictions to time or fabrication as I can weld/machine. (I do have enough money for an n54 swap but I'm just weighing options.)

LS swap, Whiteblock, M54, I'm not a purist, I'll throw a built B18 in if it means I can hit over 350hp

Thank you for your time

(I resent BMW for not bringing a 335i touring to the US)

[Biginboca]

I think it would be between the N54 swap and the LS Swap. If you Google LS Swap e90 I’m sure you can find the company selling the kits for this. They have packages that include pretty much everything and I don’t think you even have to weld with their kit.

The N54 swap is probably better documented and in that instance your kit is just swapping parts from a wrecked n54 e90. Coding might be a bit of a challenge on that one if you haven’t dealt with bmw coding.

Since you are not a purist I’ll say try the LS Swap and document the journey here lol

[wootloops]

A friend of mine (and Biginboca 's) has a 335is swapped E91 wagon and loves it. We also know of a couple other people in the area with 335i/is swapped E91s so it's definitely a doable project. The easiest method is to buy an entire wrecked 335i sedan and swap most of it over.

I also met someone with an LS swap. He explained to me that using the LSE90 swap kit it was very straightforward. Used the BMW transmission with adapter plate, and wired in a Holley Dominator standalone ECU. He said it was under 10 wires to connect the ECU to the rest of the car and it interfaces with the CANBUS nicely for things like gauge cluster, A/C compressor button, etc. The only parts that seem to need custom fabrication is the driveshaft and the exhaust after the headers. He has everything working (Power steering, A/C, gauge cluster, ABS) except for traction control / stability control but says he is close to fixing that.

Probably looking at around $5-10k for either swap depending on where you source the parts.

[Fiasco]

The most cost effective way? Used Subaru WRX wagon? Any other used turbo wagon out there? Its always cheaper to buy the car that's already fast.

If you want to make that much power in an N52?

ESS Supercharger
N54 Intake
Catted headers
Catback exhaust
MILV's
Meth
Tune

Buying a car to immediately swap the engine sounds kinda silly.

[ryanful]

I drive an e91, and understand the desirability, but have you considered an e61 that has the n54 from the factory? It's just a little bigger, and has the "beans" to get to your 400hp for less $$$.

...just a thought.

[Zajac1]

Originally Posted by DMSpence

I do automotive media as a profession, I'm eyeing the E91 328i as the deployable rear glass is a huge convenience for shooting rollers along with large cargo space but the car is too slow.

To keep it simple, what is the most cost-effective and simple method to increase the horsepower of an e91 328i 6mt to roughly 350 to 400whp? No restrictions to time or fabrication as I can weld/machine. (I do have enough money for an n54 swap but I'm just weighing options.)

LS swap, Whiteblock, M54, I'm not a purist, I'll throw a built B18 in if it means I can hit over 350hp

Thank you for your time

(I resent BMW for not bringing a 335i touring to the US)

If you interested I got N54 intake manifold and might get you eurobox or 3 stage as well.

[stilesg57]

Since you're in Michigan, look up Brad Tourt near Grand Rapids. Guy does spectacular work and specializes in diesel swaps into E91s (a config that apparently the Euros got but we didn't). That is if turnkey 600lb-ft wagons that get 35mpgs interest you

That said I'm sure he can do other swaps too. You're not getting to 350whp with an N52 any cheaper than a swap anyway, and you'll compromise nearly every benefit of the NA motor by force feeding it.

[M-technik-3]

Sell your wagon, buy this one....https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1923018

[neilvan]

The E61 wagon came in the 535 (N54) as well as 6mt as well. Factory and already done