Just bought a M54B30 ZHP engine off a wrecked car for about $2600. Next week the shipper is sending it out to me and I will start doing my swap. I am going to replace my M52TUB25 engine.
The ZHP engine has about 90,000 miles.
Planning to do the VANOS seal, vanos rattle and change out all the gaskets.
I am planning to run my original injectors, MAF, throttle body (mechanical), and DME (sharked).
Of course I will get it DYNO after the swap and report back. Currently my car has about 175HP (Dynojet) so I am very anxious to see how many ponies I will see after the swap.
More to follow. the update will be slow because I have to wait for the engine to arrive but I will start updating with pix and of the build as soon as I get the parts.
I am going to dyno the car first and see my results before I invest any more money on my getting a tune.
from the top of mind the most cost effective method is for me to to manually flash my DME (MS42) from the 323 stock tune to the MS42 328.
Hopefully I could reuse my shark injectors (finger cross). I am under the assumption that the shark injector is copy protected only by VIN # and all of their tune is based on the DME version number regardless if you have a 323/328 (MS42), 325/330 (MS43), etc.
You need to consider upgrading your trans to handle the extra power, and also I do not think the DME from the m52tu will run right with the ZHP engine. At minimum you need bigger injectors. Seems like a lot of expense for a 30hp gain. If you are putting down 172hp at the wheels (don't see how that is possible with a 323) then why bother? A stock ZHP only puts about 200hp to the pavement. And with the wrong DME, you won't be able to take full advantage of the 3.0 motor anyways. A $100 set of headers and pullies would probably be about the same.
You need to consider upgrading your trans to handle the extra power, and also I do not think the DME from the m52tu will run right with the ZHP engine. At minimum you need bigger injectors. Seems like a lot of expense for a 30hp gain. If you are putting down 172hp at the wheels (don't see how that is possible with a 323) then why bother? A stock ZHP only puts about 200hp to the pavement. And with the wrong DME, you won't be able to take full advantage of the 3.0 motor anyways. A $100 set of headers and pullies would probably be about the same.
I am curious what dyno that was on and if that is corrected power (SAE). I can't figure out how a car with factory 170hp at the crank with an AUTO trans (figure 20-30% loss through the drivetrain) is able to put 170hp to the wheels. A stock ZHP with a 6MT makes 235 at the crank and only gets 200ish to the wheels.
So you are going to go through a lot of pain and anguish to gain 30whp. It would be easier to pick up a used SC kit and bolt it on. I am all for retrofit projects, but this one makes little sense to me. But if you enjoy it, what the heck, go for it right?
One other thing to think about, the 330's come with larger axle splines, I doubt you'll have problems, but it is another potential weak point. And given that the ZF trans is more problematic and weak than it's GM counterpart, I'd strongly suggest a 5 speed swap.
How do you know you won't run lean with smaller injectors and restrictive tune with increased cylinder volume and cause irreversible heat damage?? (just a theory)
yes running lean is a big concern for me that is why I am going to hook it up to my GT1 and see the 02 reading. If I am going to run lean then I have no choice but to droppe in the 330 purple injectors and send my car off to get a custome tune.
There are a few members on here than swap out their M52TUB25 and M54B25 to the b30 version and ran on their stock tunes and reported no issues so I am hopefull. I think Angie swap out her 2.5 for a 3.0 and ran stock tune for a while.
Can anyone tell me whether there is anyway for me to do a compression test on the engine without it being hooked up to the car? Can I just manually cracked the car to do my compression test.
I am going to inspect the valve cover gasket for any sign of sludge, reinforce my engine pump nut, replace all gaskets, but need help with the compression test.
good point but I am afraid to get a bunch of weird error codes such as
-IAT (MS42). the MS45 IAT is integrated into the MAF
-3/2 way valve (Ms42), MS42 doesnt use the 3/2 valve and has the pressure regulator integrated into fuel filter
-Mechanical throttle (MS42). MS45 has an electronic throttle
until I get the engine and start working on my car everything is a guessing game so I will try to keep my replies to a min.
In the mean time, can anyone can chime on my compression test question?
I am currently running a M54B30 intake manifold on my M52TUB25. I have the turner throttle body adapter plate so I can mount my mechanical TB into the B30 intake manifold.
No, you can't flash it to ZHP tune, that's only available for MS45.
With a project this big I would consider converting the car completely to MS45. As far as I know it just requires your other computers (LCM, EWS) to be reflashed.
But you would obviously need all the b30 goodies - DME, intake, MAF, harness ...
yes, you are right. I was quoted $7K for a complete S54 swap but I am taking on this project because I want the challenge. Of course the S54 is challenging but I think is way over my head if I do it myself (time and resources wise).
this is another subject in itself but I have been seriously taking about retrofitting the ZF 6 speed automatic (found on the twin turbo e9x) on the
M54 engine. It was already confirmed that the bell housing will mate with the engine block perfectly. what havent been confirmed is what modification is required for this to work (Tranny wire harness, TCU, drive shaft, etc)
I look forward to seeing how this turns out. If you decide to give up on this I might pick it up from you for my project car. Think of a 1969 3002 (actually I want a S50B32 for a swap... wouldn't that be nice)
Just bought a M54B30 ZHP engine off a wrecked car for about $2600. Next week the shipper is sending it out to me and I will start doing my swap. I am going to replace my M52TUB25 engine.
The ZHP engine has about 90,000 miles.
Planning to do the VANOS seal, vanos rattle and change out all the gaskets.
I am planning to run my original injectors, MAF, throttle body (mechanical), and DME (sharked).
Of course I will get it DYNO after the swap and report back. Currently my car has about 172HP (Dynojet) so I am very anxious to see how many ponies I will see after the swap.
More to follow. the update will be slow because I have to wait for the engine to arrive but I will start updating with pix and of the build as soon as I get the parts.
Mini update: the engine is coming on 17jan. We already bought a cherry picker and an engine stand. Oh yeah....scored a great price on a used zhp cluster. Going to erase the EPROM chip and encode it with my vin and mileage.
Tonight I will post pictures of the engine stand and cherry picker
also...painted some parking strips in the garage (oil based paint). Need to clear coat the strips with eproxy but still waiting for the oil based paint to dry. 1 week of drying/curing time should be okay
used cluster
very confident that I can transplant the EPROM chip from my old cluster to the new cluster or just erased the EPROM all together
Enjoy the new project! Someday when I have a backup DD I'll have a go at an engine swap up to the S52, I'm too emotionally attached to my 330Ci to give it up for an M3. You're my hero for doing a swap.
Nice setup, the engine stand is well worth it. Do the rear crankshaft seal before you put it on the stand.
I admire your confidence with car electronics. I wish I was this brave
promise not to laugh? I get attached easily (I am very sentimental)....so after the swap I am going to put the M52TU on the engine stand and put it on display either in the garage or study room.
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