Hybrid????

[The Wraith]

Im in to honda and what not so you prob no what hybrids are but Im thinking of changing to BMW so my question is can you but a M3 engine in a 91 318is? if so how hard would it be to do? thanks for your help

[The Wraith]

come on noone knows?

[jbob]

i don't think it's that no one knows, i think it's cuz it's been asked a lot.....sucks the search function doesn't work cuz there's a lot of good info on this board. i think i remember seeing one post that listed pretty much everything u need for the conversion. a lot of people have done the m50... swap; so it's not the most difficult thing, but still pretty challenging......and not recommended to go at it alone if u've never done an engine swap before.

if ur serious about the swap u can try to pick up the project orca cd.....altho there are some mixed reviews of it (some people swear that it made the install so much easier, and others say it's a waste of time......i guess it just depends on prior experience?)

[The Wraith]

thanks for the help......and yeah I know my way around honda engine swaps so this shouldent be that much harder prob just wiring right?

[Brett D]

I'm into Hondas too. I can tell you that BMW motors, trannies, ecu's, etc. are not nearly as easy to build hybrids. A lot also depends on if you're planning on using an e30 m3 (s14, 4cyl, late 80's motor) or if you're planning on using the newer m50 (from the e36 chassis, bigger, twin cam, i think obd2) Both are do-able but not exactly easy. When I get home I'll put up some links for some good info on swaps. If you're planning on doing the e30 m3 motor I wouldn't reccomend it. The power increase isn't really worth the trouble and it's made more for high strung track racing.

[jbob]

-wiring yeah,
-and u need custom engine mounts or modify the existing ones,
-gonna need an e36 6 cylinder tranny (the e30 6 cyl tranny will work too, but it can already be too weak for the m3 engine),
-can't remember if there's a certain driveshaft that'll swap inbetween the e36 tranny and stock differential,
-and i believe the radiator needs to be pushed forward just a tad (need to make radiator mounts).

these are the major parts, but i know there's still a lot of stuff i'm missing



yeah, i was assuming u meant the m50/s50 swap, s14's are great 4 bangers but cost a lot to buy one, and cost even more to mod it

[revo86]

its a e30 m3 driveshaft
the radiator is ok where it is but you have to fun electric fans
use shaved 5 series motor mounts
you need a 5 series oil pan and oil pickup or the motor will not fit the e30 crossmember

no serious fab is needed, only on exhaust, it is a pain though, you need to try and get a motor as complete as possible

the reason noone really response to these questions anymore is its always asked, and kids post these questions with out doing any research first, knowing nothing, and then expect people on the board to do all the work.

i cant tell you how many people have stalked my instant messanger name with questions they havent researched.

im a very nice guy and always want to help, but you have to help yourself first, get specific questions.

this really isnt directed just towards you wraith its just somthing ive been meaning to say.

good luck