[bmw201113]

Hey everyone i am curious as to if i was to buy a whole n52 motor would it be able to work with my current n51 328i? I have a buddy who will do the swap for me i just need to know if it will work.

[W37V]

I'm just curious. Why would you want t do the swap?

[bmw201113]

Well you can find decent mileage ones for 2000$ and i have a buddy who will install it for me for near no charge and id rather have a n52 because from what i read they can make more power. Ive already put a good 6 grand into my car between wheels suspension tires etc. I plan on keeping it long term so it seems like a good idea to me

[dstrickland]

It's a direct swap as long as the N52 come with the harness & sensors.

You'll need to flash n52 software to your DME. While the engines out make sure you take your N51 3 stage intake manifold & put it on the n52.

The software part might be tricky due to you not running msv70 which is where all the help resources are without getting your wallet raped.

[Terraphantm]

Originally Posted by dstrickland

It's a direct swap as long as the N52 come with the harness & sensors.

You'll need to flash n52 software to your DME. While the engines out make sure you take your N51 3 stage intake manifold & put it on the n52.

The software part might be tricky due to you not running msv70 which is where all the help resources are without getting your wallet raped.

I've got it pretty much figured out. RSA delete is functional and I'm 99% sure the 3-stage files I've made will work fine.

One complication is that the N51 has the MSV80.1 instead of the MSV80 like the N52, but after some investigation, I found the programs are bit-for-bit identical with the exception of a couple version strings. So it isn't too much trouble to adapt the MSV80 software for the MSV80.1

[dstrickland]

There ya go. Get the engine with the sensors & have Terraphantom assist you with software....

Why again are you doing this switch?

[hassmaschine]

It would work, even without a reflash. Keep your 3 stage manifold, and look at 2007+ motors since all the sensors will be compatible. You will also need to retain the SAP - non SULV N52s don't have it.

[Terraphantm]

N51 and N52 have different compression ratios, so if it were me I'd reflash and delete any of the extra emissions crap while I'm there.

[hassmaschine]

All it really means is lower ignition and torque targets. It would work just fine as a 1:1 swap.

AFAIK the only additional emissions equipment is the SAP. The DME is slightly different too.

[Terraphantm]

I guess that's true enough. Though might as well extract the extra 25+ hp if you can

I looked into the DME difference. At least software wise - there is none. Literally just version strings and checksums that were changed (I looked at 9QK0MI20S and 9RK0MI20S for the 80 and 80.1 respectively).

Hardware wise I suppose it could be the case that the .1 has an extra output for the SAP or something (otherwise I'm scratching my head as to why the .1 even exists).

[dstrickland]

Originally Posted by Terraphantm

I guess that's true enough. Though might as well extract the extra 25+ hp if you can

I looked into the DME difference. At least software wise - there is none. Literally just version strings and checksums that were changed (I looked at 9QK0MI20S and 9RK0MI20S for the 80 and 80.1 respectively).

Hardware wise I suppose it could be the case that the .1 has an extra output for the SAP or something (otherwise I'm scratching my head as to why the .1 even exists).

So the 3IM msv80 files your played with would work with his msv80.1 as long as the version string was swapped?

I remember swapping version strings back when hassmaschine & rjahl helped with the 325 to 330i SW swap on my car.

[Terraphantm]

I'd also have to make an RSA delete with the version strings changed, but yes, it should work.

[JakemE70]

Hi All,

Wondering if this ended up working out? I have a smilier situation but the other way around. I have an N51 Engine ready to drop into the n52 Chassis. Original n52 was locked up and got this replacement engine, come to find out it is n51 not n52. Will I have to swap out the DME from MSV80 to MSV80.1 and code it to the car? Really trying to keep it low budget. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks !

[luis8oh8]

BUMP

[augustus maximus]

Bumping an old thread, but yes it can be done. An N52 engine can be swapped into an N51 car with no issues whatsoever. Keep your current injectors, intake and exhaust manifold. Done. I swapped an N52 from an X5 into my 328XI e92 and it's currently pulling like a freight train with NO thrown codes!