[bmnatz]

So I have finally come to the conclusion, I need more power! Since there's no supercharger kits available, I see that swapping out the engine would be my only option.

This has probably been asked before and I have been using the search but all I can find is a built thread (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...M3+engine+swap) where after going through 10 pages I still don't see if an engine swap is going to be done or not .

Before this comes up as a suggested answer, selling my car and buying an M3 is not an option, I would have to put another 100.000 $ on top to get a USED M3 (I live in Thailand, 327% tax on cars).

Besides a stockpile of cash (I've saved up 20k to burn on this !), can we get a list of estimated things required to pull this off ?

[techietaichi]

327% sales tax! Man, that's criminal! Just pack your bags and come here to the US where the government henchmen aren't quite emboldened yet. 327% tax, effin' slavemasters.

[Delta0311]

M3 engine, M3 transmission, m3 ecu and an expert mechanic. And thats just right off the top of my head I'm sure you will need more parts.

[Delta0311]

Holy fuck did I read that right 327% tax on cars? That is straight up rape. I take it the government is at least using that money well, lol

[Dark_Knight_335]

Just remember kids- whenever you're down on yourselves and you think you have it so bad... somebody else is always getting fucked worse

[bmnatz]

Yes car tax is indeed 327% - also add on top of that: the bigger the engine, the more you will end up paying.

Also: as soon as it's a prestigious brand, the prices get even worse, how does a 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo for 440k $ sound ? You get the idea.

Unfortunately, BMW does fall under this "prestigious brand" category, I ended up paying over 100k for my 325i with around 30k miles on it.

To go back on the thread, I did quote some BMW dealer here for the engine swap, he couldn't tell me a price, but suggested that I'd have to leave the car there for at least 3 months, to get it done. That can't be right ?

[ssmith96]

Originally Posted by bmnatz

Unfortunately, BMW does fall under this "prestigious brand" category, I ended up paying over 100k for my 325i with around 30k miles on it.

what kind of crack is the government there on?!?!?!?

side note: how rich are you?

[N 5 4]

sounds like Singapore.

[Jase 320d]

Singapore is crazy

Basically the rich are rich and the poor are poor

I had the luxury of driving a 535 over there. Still looked poor

[bmnatz]

Originally Posted by ssmith96

what kind of crack is the government there on?!?!?!?

side note: how rich are you?

I'm very far from rich unfortunately, I got a really crappy deal on financing which I took, now I'm paying 1100$ a month to drive this powerless 325i because I wouldn't want to drive a Toyota.

Originally Posted by Jase 320d

Singapore is crazy

Basically the rich are rich and the poor are poor

I had the luxury of driving a 535 over there. Still looked poor

That's kind of the way it is here, the problem is you can't buy regular cars with big (normal sized in other countries) engines, there is no 335, there is no 550, etc. Even all the massive 7 series you see driving around are only 730's.

If you want to have a look yourself: http://one2car.com you WILL cry.

//Edit: Just saw there's a 335 available for a whooping 140k, basically just take the prices and divide them by 30 and you get the $ amount.

[stevers314]

Engine swap is entirely possible. If you have the ability to get the parts, go for it.

To be honest though if you're really looking for more power in your car and have a decent fabricator nearby - look into an LS2+T56 swap. $5k powertrain and 400/400. Small package too.

[ezmaass]

I've got to believe this will cost significantly more than $20k to accomplish - no less in Thailand. The engine would be one small piece of that puzzle. A quick search on ebay shows a few for sale - $9k, $13k, etc, just for a "complete" M3 E92 engine. Let's assume a flat $10k for the engine. What about the drivetrain - transmission, axles, drive shaft, differentials, etc. This would be a huge job. You're not just going to drop an M3 engine putting out over 400hp and couple it to a drivetrain designed for an engine with half that power, are you? The DCT in the M3 is also completely different than anything (auto or manual) of a 325i... so you're not going to get the feel or performance of an M3 without addressing the entire drivetrain.

The ECU, and likely countless other parts, are probably different as well. For instance, the M5 is about 80% unique parts compared to a standard 5-series. I'm prone to believe this is similar for an M3, too. While you may not need to address ALL of it (certainly not the cosmetic stuff), figuring out what to address and what NOT to address, mechanically, would probably take a mechanic (or team of them) with great skills.

Sorry, I've got to say the project just doesn't make sense. Save your $20k and put towards something of real value. Modify your 325i if it makes you happy to do something to better the car... but this seems like a leap too far, and I doubt you'd ever accomplish it for $20k.

On a side note, Thailand is a complete rip-off when it comes to cars. I was having this discussion with some others on the 5 board... can't believe there are guys spending over $200k on 535's over there... ridiculous. I'd pick up leave the country - that's a government out of control.

[bmnatz]

Originally Posted by stevers314

Engine swap is entirely possible. If you have the ability to get the parts, go for it.

To be honest though if you're really looking for more power in your car and have a decent fabricator nearby - look into an LS2+T56 swap. $5k powertrain and 400/400. Small package too.

Thanks, it doesn't have to be a M3 engine per se, anything that gets me beyond 400+ hp is cool with me (I'd even stuck a 2JZ in there which are really cheap over here), just thought since it's BMW that might be the easiest way to go.

[StevenY.]

OP, I've followed the thread you linked for a while. If I remember correctly, the person was toying with the idea of swapping in the s65 from the m3 or an n54 from the 335i but I think he never got to it or stopped updating. There's also this thread you may want to check out even though the person swapped in an N54 instead of an s65.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454408

Edit* Saw you write about 2jz. Check this out
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=649976

[Arben72]

Originally Posted by bmnatz

Thanks, it doesn't have to be a M3 engine per se, anything that gets me beyond 400+ hp is cool with me (I'd even stuck a 2JZ in there which are really cheap over here), just thought since it's BMW that might be the easiest way to go.

There was a forum member selling a full salvage m3 for 13k on m3post, I'd start there if I was you.

[SgtGoldy]

SUBd to see what happens

[rick100]

Originally Posted by Arben72

There was a forum member selling a full salvage m3 for 13k on m3post, I'd start there if I was you.

how does he get the car all the way over to thailand, Im guessing they have rules to import cars into the country , maybe even for parts such as the engine

I highly doubt you can do a proper swap for 20 k, parts alone would probably be more than that. Finding a bmw mechanic capable of doing this job is going to be even harder since I do no think many people (including in the countries like the united stated where this car are popular) have done such swap.

Parts like suspension and brakes need to be upgraded too.

I do not know much about the 325 but I think you can do a AA tune, full bolts on and call it a day.

If you want 400 horse power, sell the car and get a ford mustang GT which should be a lot cheaper than the bmw

You said you are not rich , but if you are able to afford 1100 payments a month and still have 20 000 to burn , I would said you are somewhat rich even by USA standards

[bmnatz]

Originally Posted by rick100

I do not know much about the 325 but I think you can do a AA tune, full bolts on and call it a day.

I did send AA some e-mails ages ago regarding a tune with that Simon tool they're selling, my question was if it was to work with my engine since it's a 2.5L and not a 3L like the US ones. Unfortunately I've never received an answer :/ .. If anyone knows more about this ?

[Mardio]

100k for a 325? Sticker shock sorry...

[1NS0MN1A]

lololol sorry buddy

[stevers314]

I still say LS engine (full disclosure, i used to own one). They are powerful, cheap, and simple.

Mix it together with a custom Ford 9" rear and you're all set. It won't exactly drive like a german car anymore, but you'll have one hell of a sleeper.

Should you choose to keep it german out back, if [when] the engine grenades the rear end, just replace it with a beefier M3 unit. May even be worthwhile to just look directly at aftermarket 335 or M3 parts.

Only hurdle I can think of is getting the cluster to be marginally useful for a non-bmw ECU.

[NikosBM]

Originally Posted by ssmith96

what kind of crack is the government there on?!?!?!?

side note: how rich are you?

In Thailand and Singapore, you get executed if you do drugs. So to answer your question, no crack, just crazy.