[Greg555]

So I always loved European fast wagons and I finally decided to build one.

Picked up this beauty and will be swapping a drive train from a 335

Im targeting 400-450 hp so I am still undecided if I will go with 54 or 55

I would love some input on what you think is the best route to go about it.

Should I swap the whole wiring harness and worry about the rear gate/wiper or should I try to swap just the engine/trans with harness ecus etc.

I will have a whole crashed 335 with most likely more way more options than my wagon has.


Thanks
Greg

[jt335i]

Good luck with that project. You’re gonna need time, lots of help (BMW tech), patience, and a lot of money to do that kind of job.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but the car’s ECU, DME, etc., etc,. is programmed specifically for the vehicle it was built so it’s not going to be as easy as plug-n-play or swap-n-play. That’s like taking the components from a laptop and trying to put into a desktop.
It’s not as easy as doing a swap with a car 1970’s, or older, where they didn’t have computers that monitor and control almost everything nowadays. There are all kinds of sensors and internal electronic components which you will need to configure the hardware and reprogram the software so that the 335 engine (N54 or N55) will run correctly as well as other related systems.
Again, I could be wrong, but I wish you well with that.

Another option would’ve been is to just get an E90 (sedan) 335i and convert it to a wagon. All you need to do is body work and spare the hassle of doing an entire engine swap and all.

That’s just my 2 cents.

[ctuna]

There is a big thread on this in somewhere here.

[Greg555]

Originally Posted by ctuna

There is a big thread on this in somewhere here.

ive searched and didnt see anything

[ctuna]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=e91+335

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by jt335i

Good luck with that project. You’re gonna need time, lots of help (BMW tech), patience, and a lot of money to do that kind of job.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but the car’s ECU, DME, etc., etc,. is programmed specifically for the vehicle it was built so it’s not going to be as easy as plug-n-play or swap-n-play. That’s like taking the components from a laptop and trying to put into a desktop.
It’s not as easy as doing a swap with a car 1970’s, or older, where they didn’t have computers that monitor and control almost everything nowadays. There are all kinds of sensors and internal electronic components which you will need to configure the hardware and reprogram the software so that the 335 engine (N54 or N55) will run correctly as well as other related systems.
Again, I could be wrong, but I wish you well with that.

Another option would’ve been is to just get an E90 (sedan) 335i and convert it to a wagon. All you need to do is body work and spare the hassle of doing an entire engine swap and all.

That’s just my 2 cents.

Glad you mentioned that disclaimer - it's the only thing worthwhile in your post. This is totally do-able, for an advanced DIY'r. Plus these cars are so cheap right now it's not like you'd have a lot of capital wrapped up in this unless you have a shop do it.

Originally Posted by Greg555

So you're OK with going to the body shop and turning sedan into a wagon but not swapping everything from sedan to a wagon? Im thinking worst case scenario i transfer everything and only would have to figure out the rear wiper and lights stuff

Right?

Anyway, great project OP. You saw the other thread on this and, IMO, the biggest thing is to grab either the N54 or N55 based on what year your car is as that makes a sizeable difference in the wiring complexity. IIRC, the N54 is easier, but check the thread referenced by ctuna.

Good luck and keep us posted! Sending some good swap vibes your way.

[RS DAVE]

Originally Posted by Greg555

So you're OK with going to the body shop and turning sedan into a wagon but not swapping everything from sedan to a wagon? Im thinking worst case scenario i transfer everything and only would have to figure out the rear wiper and lights stuff

If you have a donor car you will be ok, over here in the uk lots of this stuff goes on. you wont need to swap the entire loom just use the the loom and dme for the motor you are using and get the car recoded. i'v just done a mt swap on a 335d m sport it took me 10 hrs and then 2hrs to recode the whole car so it knows it's a manual. these forums are full of dicks giving advise on things they have no experience of, just crack on with it it's not that difficult.

[VXEric]

good luck! couple of success stories..

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1288745&page=3

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1192329

[gixracer]

These projects are getting easier to do.
I loved mine while I had it
Easiest and most power is N54. You can use donor DME cas and key or pay the big bucks to pair your cars with donor dme virginized vin and chassis code changed.

Coupe or sedan is no different. The biggest hurdle is going auto to manual. The addition of the six extra wires in is a pain in the ads and you have to change the gas pedal and wiring input to match along with adding in the clutch switch with a reverse wire. This is where a full donor helps.

N54 is pretty easy with post 09/2007 cars. A N55 swap is more time consuming but it took me a bit getting the 49 wires adapted to the main harness. N54 is easy because the dme location is he same

[smallseafishie]

My only advice to you is to get a matching AWD or RWD 335i donor depending on your wagon. If your wagon is AWD, get a donor AWD 335i.

[smallseafishie]

And just swap over the DME and CAS. Don't worry about the rest of the wiring. It lines up pretty well to the 328i chassis. Like the poster above, the N55 harness is on the engine intake manifold so you'll have to extend your wagon's harness to swap the N55. The N54 would be much easier as the DME is in the same location as the N52. It's almost plug and play.

[Greg555]

my car is awd so I will get a n54 awd n54 335

[Greg555]

YEY

Bought a donor car today.

Lets Begin

[tlow98]

Nice!

[Biginboca]

Looks good can’t wait to see how it goes!

[desertman123]

Very excited

[nsjames]

looks like you lucked out on the donor car even having all the right body parts.

super jelly of this project.

[Fritzer]

Great looking doner car! If it were me I would try to source a S85, glorious in the E91. Check out Manhart, they have some amazing builds and tunes for the N54/5.

[Fritzer]

If you don't mind me asking how the financials worked out, did insurance pay for anything? How much did you pick up the doner car for? Good luck Greg!!

[Greg555]

Originally Posted by nsjames

looks like you lucked out on the donor car even having all the right body parts.

super jelly of this project.

YES. Even same color. Thats why it took 5 months

[Greg555]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

If you don't mind me asking how the financials worked out, did insurance pay for anything? How much did you pick up the doner car for? Good luck Greg!!

Both cars came from auctions

[Greg555]

About to start the project. Need couple of days to finish cleaning up the garage and then its on.

What do you guys maintenance items should be done when engine is out?
I know valve cover is one of them because its smelly when car idles., Pretty sure leaking from there. What else?

Also thinking about air intake, charge pipes and down pipes.

Thoughts?

THX
Greg