E46 engine in E36 body

shatoon · #1 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 11:25 AM

Ok i think my engine is blown on my E36 M3. If it is blown which i will know by monday afternoon. I have an oppurtunity to purchase a E46 engine. My question is do i have to change everything like the radiator water pump, trany, etc? And is it worth making the change from a E36 engine to a E46

TINIK · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 12:01 PM

I don't know any one that did that swap...

scottycs · #3 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 03:22 PM

Electronics will be a bitch!

E36 Fanatic · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 04:14 PM

Hmmm, I'm with Chris on this one. You'd better get a good schematic for the E46 engine, cause you're going to have to rewire your car. New computer, Sport button, throttle by wire, etc. Not to mention there's a bulge in the E46's hood for a reason. I'm guessing engine mounts, and other things would be very different too. Oh, and make room for the 6 speed, drive shaft, and rear end. (But hey, stranger things have been done!)

My guess is that it would be easier to get a Euro 3.2 engine, and bump it up 10HP to equal the 331 of the new M3. And THAT has been done before

VANOSNinja · #5 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 08:21 PM

Ya just do the Euro motor. I've heard that the new E46 motors pop left and right.

ayton · #6 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 11:20 PM

it can be done because they use the same mounts.BUT as stated before the electronics will be a PITA. the drive by wire throttle seems to be the biggest concern from everyone I talked to. I had the chance to get an '02 330 motor but let it go after a few conversations with a friend of mine who is a BMW tech (he advised against the pain and suffering). now if you have the TIME and MONEY...go for it! at the time I was short on the time and looking at it that way...didn't seem worth it.