Does anyone know if the M50 will swap into a 1.9L Z3?

[Kozan]

Will the 2.5L M50 engine fit in a 1.9L Z3 or even the M motors for that matter?

[triplebeam]

bump for a good question, does anybody know ???

[Kozan]

bump again.

[UKY467]

Its the same chasis, so why the hell not? its not like they give the 1.9 some bitch engine bay because its a 4 pot. My guess is yes, unless 1.9's have some special body kit that makes it impossible.

[Mpire]

Yes, it will swap. But for the money, you could just buy a 2.8 Z3 with the aluminum block. Even if you swap the engine, the diff and tires wont handle the power.

[JoeZ]

It will work but take my advice and just bump yourself all the way up to an ///M. Otherwise you'll just be throwing $$ into the car for years to come

[Kozan]

If I just put the 2.8L engine into the 1.9L straight drop in, useing the Getrag tranny and existing driveshaft and diffy, will it fit? Or will the bigger 6cyl engine push the tranny back further, which would require me getting a shorter driveshaft? Or does it mate up in the same spot?

[95scortRS]

What about the brakes, is there discs in every corner even in the 4-cyl models ? I think I would buy a 2.8-litre or a newer 2.2i. I wouldn´t change the M Power-engine in the 4-cyl Roadster because the chassi can´t cope with the power it gives.

[JoeZ]

Originally Posted by 95scortRS

. I wouldn´t change the M Power-engine in the 4-cyl Roadster because the chassi can´t cope with the power it gives.

please explain

[Kozan]

The diffy is a small case differential, so it need to be replaced. To switch the the I6 medium case diffy, it requires a whole new subframe axles etc etc. Kick in the ass.

[007M]

I was under the impression the chassis were the same since 96'. And if you are going to do any racing with the car I would recommend reinforcing the rear as it has the tendency to fall apart.
Trunk reinforcing

I wouldnt bother with the swap, might as well trade it in and get a 2.8, not much of a price difference now.

SR20DET powered Z3

[Kozan]

Yeah, took me awhile to come to that realization. Im either gonna get a 2.8 or a M roadster and save myself a lot of trouble.

[ara325]

You should be able to fit an e36 ('93-98/9) M3 motor in it. For a few thousand you could be M-powered...pardon the pun

[Kozan]

Yeah, I think il just put a LS1 in instead. Im tired of costly repair bills and slowness.

[JoeZ]

Originally Posted by Kozan

Yeah, I think il just put a LS1 in instead. Im tired of costly repair bills and slowness.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...=241207&page=1

LS1 talk begins at post #35