We've been through a few motors in the m3 over the years, most recently running a euro s50b32 making decent power until it finally let go on us at Homestead last year. So I used that as an excuse to drop in an e46 m3 s54 engine, which presents a long list of challenges to try to make a modern engine work in a 20+ year old body.

With the help of James at Bimmerworld for the swap and electronics and Randy Mueller at Epic Motorsports for the tuning, we just wrapped it up and made 326whp this morning. Should be fun and a handfull on track in a 2600lb car.

A few pics for you guys...

The car


The motor


The dyno

 

That should be enormous fun at the track although s54 would upset the front balance a little I presume cuz of its weight.

Any videos of that beast ?

 

Love it!! This is exactly what I've been wanting to build

 

We had the euro s50b32 in there before and added 100lbs of weight with it according to the scales. But the car has been stripped throughout so it honestly handled like a gokart with it with the dialed in suspension. The s54 is similar dimmension and weight to the s50b32, so I don't expect an impact.

No recent videos but I'll make sure to get some with the GoPro and the new motor in a couple weeks when we're at Sebring.

 

Outstanding swap…first s54 powered E30 M3 i've seen. Curious, besides the challenge of mating the electronics, what were some of the other major hurdles you had to overcome.

 

What engine doesnt fit in an e30?

 

Love it!

 

Nice swap!

 

Your old Supra was ridiculously clean and so is this.

Nice ride.

 

So awesome. I had an E30 as well and loved it, wish I still had. I may need to start looking for one again.