Hypothetical M50/52 into E46...

[4 door 330]

It seems that there are a ton of issues regarding turboing E46's (Thinking VANOS and Computer issues), i.e. VERY expensive to do. Is it pure stupidity to try and put a turbo M50 or M52 into my 330 instead of turboing the M54. It seems like it would be alot cheaper to get to somewhere around 375-400 whp.

This is hypothetical so don't flame. I am a BMW tech and have a welder, so the labor is not an issue, although I will still outsource the exhaust manifold.

Let me know what you guys think, and if you have any recomendations or sites to point to if any one has done this already. Thanks.

[James]

Only problem I can see is with emissions. If you are turbocharging, this is obviously not a concern, but you would have difficultly getting emissions to approve an earlier OBD2 motor or OBD1.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, E46s are drive-by-wire - not sure if this is taken care of with the new motor, but you should maybe lay out the differences between the two motors/setups and see what potential obstacles you face.

[4 door 330]

Thanks for the input!

As far as emissions go, Im in VA with no plans on moving, and we don't have an emissions check here(At least mine has never been checked).

As for drive by wire, you are correct, the E46 is a drive by wire, but it is not difficult to install a throttle cable.

[itsabimmerthing]

Go for it, go M52 and have some fun. In addition, if the funds would call for it, the new N54 (think thats it) twin turbo direct injected motor could be pretty bad ass.