Double Vanos E36 Conversion??

notbob · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 08:54 AM

Is it possible to retrofit the double vanos from a new m3 to the older E36 3.2L M3?

Would probably give pretty good performance benefits

Was just a random thought / question I had.

BMWGuy206 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 10:25 AM

Wont work. Better off buying the Euro 3.2L engine.

notbob · #3 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 10:56 AM

That sucks, what makes it incompatible?

My car is totally stock right now, but thinking in early 05' when the warranty is gone maybe going for some performance mods.

How hard is it to get a euro m3 engine? Where would you get one?

BMWGuy206 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 12:59 PM

What will make it incompatible? Well, there is no doube VANOS unit that will fit the US cylinder head. Even if you had a cylinder head thats has a double VANOS unit bolted onto it, there is a chance that the head may not fit the US Spec block.

Ok then there's the electronics, in order to control the double Vanos unit, you're going to need more sensors, more wiring thus leading to a new wiring harness and oh hey, a new Engine ECU.

Several high performance tuning shops have access to Euro Spec Engines. If I were you I would either get a cam kit, AA Supercharger Kit or an AA turbocharger kit.

notbob · #5 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 01:38 PM

That really stinks, I knew about the electronics, do the euro engines use double vanos? Would the engine and electronics bolt up from the new m3 into an older generation?

BMWGuy206 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 03:24 PM

Yes the 3.2L Euro Engine (S50B32) uses double VANOS.

The new M3 engine (S54) can probably fit into your body style M3 but the cost of the electronics swapping is just not worth it.

Alex Mc · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2003, 06:12 PM

The euro S50 and US S50 are two entirely different motors. They are NOT compatible. The head is two-piece on the Euro.. like an S14.

Buy a euro 3.2