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The shop that does the s54/6 spd swap...What shop?

15K views 59 replies 19 participants last post by  Pete_repete 
#1 ·
Ive read on the forum somewhere in the past there is a shop i think in new york or somewhere on the east cost that will do the s54/6spd swap for around 8 grand.

seems like a good option for my 330i rather than buy an m3. anyone know the name and location of this shop?
 
#2 ·
Stookin, I would not recommend spending the time and money for an S54 Swap. There are a lot of shops around the WHOLE USA that can do the swap. I actually think you'll be better off in the West Coast. A lot more bimmers out there than here in the East. A 2001 330i is worth about $10,000 if it has under 100,000 miles + 8,000 of the motor swap you were planning on spending, and that's $18,000. More than enough to find a a great deal on a 04-06 M3. Plus you get better handling, better suspension, better interior, and the mindset of owning a genuine M.

If not, you can easily get an Mtech 2 kit, upgrade all of your maintenance items, exhaust, chip, intake and a lot of other mods...all under $5,000 and still have just as much fun as an M.

I would consider those two options.
 
#3 ·
Stookin, I would not recommend spending the time and money for an S54 Swap. There are a lot of shops around the WHOLE USA that can do the swap. I actually think you'll be better off in the West Coast. A lot more bimmers out there than here in the East. A 2001 330i is worth about $10,000 if it has under 100,000 miles + 8,000 of the motor swap you were planning on spending, and that's $18,000. More than enough to find a a great deal on a 04-06 M3. Plus you get better handling, better suspension, better interior, and the mindset of owning a genuine M.

If not, you can easily get an Mtech 2 kit, upgrade all of your maintenance items, exhaust, chip, intake and a lot of other mods...all under $5,000 and still have just as much fun as an M.

I would consider those two options.
For $5,000 on a non-M you won't get an M performance wise, and if you want an M motor/driveline in the first place you just made the swap sound not so bad.

Secondly, there are no great E46 M3s, especially 04-06s for under 20k. Maybe an 01-03 in pretty nice shape overall for $18k, but not an 04-06. And don't link me to some stupid example ads of a perdyy looking car from CL or cars.com, it doesn't prove anything.
 
#4 · (Edited)
well heres where i am at. my 01 330i has 155k on it right now. here in vegas its worth about 6500-7000 with the mileage its at. its either sell the 330i and put it towards an m car or keep my car and do the swap. my thought process behind the swap is. i know my car. i know what i have. i like having a sedan and the looks of a sedan. i know what has been done. im up on all my maintenance minus a diff service. suspension has been upgraded. done all the m3 and m tech 2 goodies. and a swap is about half and or a little less than an m car. and i can have all the fun and performance in my sleeper sedan and keep my car still knowing what i have.
 
#31 ·
oh I admit I did not catch that "!"
!(S54 + 330i = M3)


The ESS TS2 is a great kit. But let's put this all in perspective.
That's a $7,000 kit that takes 8-10hrs labor costs.
You mention the S54 having mostly top end. Its actually rather a steady powerband. It also has a 8,2000 rev limit which is nicer to wind out and stay in gears longer. The twin screw is low-mid(which is good on the M54). with that low end power how does it get it to the ground? that'Ps correct, not much "spanking" going to happen with that open diff doing peg leg spins. so add another $3K-$4k for a LSD and subframe re-inforcement. then depending on the system, you may need an oil cooler for the engine.
So you're ~$12,000 in to whatever the car is worth. that's not even talking about stronger transmission, drive axles and clutch.
I already mentioned the limited slip and subframe reinforcement. Tell me something I don't already know. :read: Besides the M3 still needs a similar subframe reinforcement. The Technique Tuning turbo E46s will walk you/spank you/kill you unless you've got serious motor work. That doesn't make a Turbo 330 a better car, but the M3 is no clear victor either.

McSpeed reportedly repeatedly walked an E92 M3 up to 160+ with his turbo ZHP.

There are reasons for and against, you and I both know that.

Both are expensive solutions with their own problems. Turning the M54 engine into an M3 killer isn't going to leave you with a reliable daily driver without serious modification and internal work.
Tell that to the people running the turbo kits. No internal work. The M3 is a nice car and a package, but it can be beaten. A ZHP turbo is around 395hp and 385 lb ft of torque without getting into the motor. Technique Tuning is killer. Go look it up.

The TS2+ and TT E46s with limited slips are looking at taking cars like the E90 M3 more than the E46 M3; bigger fish to fry. ;)
 
#32 ·
I already mentioned the limited slip and subframe reinforcement. Tell me something I don't already know.
Besides the M3 still needs a similar subframe reinforcement. The Technique Tuning turbo E46s will walk you/spank you/kill you unless you've got serious motor work. That doesn't make a Turbo 330 a better car, but the M3 is no clear victor either.
*sorry i typed that earlier but took a phone call and by the time posted it you had already put another post in.
The M3 does not "need" this other subframe reinforcement. but yes they do still get fractures. the LS rear diff carrier design is more friendly to the subframe mounts. non-m + FI is a torn subframe..period.
A ESS, TT FI kit basically maxes out where the M3 starts. An M3 Stage1 91 octane HPF kit makes like 515 Hp. Now that's a base which will spank and thus humiliate where the M54 runs flat.
The S54 is such a better power plant than the M52/M54/M56 there is no comparison. There is a good reason it won the International Engine Award and Best Engine 3L-4L category six years in a row from 2001-2006. We're talking a completely street and 50 state smog legal engine that makes over 100Hp per liter. <img src='http://forum.E46Fanatics.com/images/smilies/burnout.gif'>
oh and it makes it's maximum torque at 4900rpm which is not high compared to it's 8,000 rpm redline.

McSpeed reportedly repeatedly walked an E92 M3 up to 160+ with his turbo ZHP.
The M3 is a nice car and a package, but it can be beaten. A ZHP turbo is around 395hp and 385 lb ft of torque without getting into the motor. Technique Tuning is killer. Go look it up.
The TS2+ and TT E46s with limited slips are looking at taking cars like the E90 M3 more than the E46 M3; bigger fish to fry. ;)
really you're gonna site one guys built turbo 330 against stock M3s. like i said, there are loads of HPF Turbo kits on M3s. where his is maxed out, those others are at the beginning stage of applicable engine improvements. look up HPF M3 Turbos. that mean little M54 won't be doing any fish frys, but rather get itself burned if it goes up against any M3 that have like mods.
 
#26 ·
The E46 M3 is a bit crude. The motor makes most of its power up top, and while you can reduce the rasp, you are really reducing a characteristic of the car.

They need valve adjustments, their Vanos' can and do fail (bolts, hub) and the Vanos costs $1200+

The bodywork is a touch flamboyant for many as well (E46 M only). Insurance is higher and many parts cost roughly 2x as much. M3s seem to "break" just about as often as non-Ms, but when they do you're typically in for a much higher bill.

Also, they don't have that much torque or get up and go below 4k RPM or so, and the gas mileage isn't great.

A turbo 330 will have more horsepower and torque (WAY more torque), cheaper insurance, a lower cost for average maintenance, and pretty much untouched gas mileage versus a stock 330. The gas mileage difference is pretty significant. My average is 17.5 city/32 highway. In an M it would be (and has been- driven many) more like 16 city/25-26 highway. Now, to support a turbo, you really need perfect brakes, stainless lines, up rated pads, a limited slip and a subframe reinforcement, so the cost of entry would on average be higher than just buying an M. To me- the extra is worth it.
 
#37 ·
Why does no one think about depreciation? You will actually end up spending more making your 330 like an M3 than you would buying an M3 because you will be spending more money and making the car worth less. On the other hand, an M3 is a standard car that depreciates like any half-special 5yr+ old car.


Unless you MUST have a sedan, like me, because coupes are for girls and old people ;P
 
#56 ·
I have a 2002 325ci with ESS TS2 kit and yes, installing a 3.38 LSD and sub frame reinforcemant kit is a good idea but talked to guys at Turner Motorsports and they said there is no need to upgrade anything else on driveline including the clutch. So it will cost roughtly 10,000 to do it properly. I've probably invested twice that into mine over time but I've had mine since new and love not having a car payment. Love the M3 but this seemed the easier way to go for me and easier on wallet.
 
#57 ·
I have a 2002 325ci with ESS TS2 kit and yes, installing a 3.38 LSD and sub frame reinforcemant kit is a good idea but talked to guys at Turner Motorsports and they said there is no need to upgrade anything else on driveline including the clutch. So it will cost roughtly 10,000 to do it properly. I've probably invested twice that into mine over time but I've had mine since new and love not having a car payment. Love the M3 but this seemed the easier way to go for me and easier on wallet.
10,000 "to do it properly"
+20,000 "invested twice that into mine over time"
+5000-12,000 - Initial car cost
--------------------------------------
= 35,000 to 42,000k on a 325i


Darn, some men just want to watch the world burn. :tsk:
 
#59 ·
Tru that but a 325ci that will leave any stock M3 behind and looks just as good. Around 350hp at flywheel and total sleeper. A decent E46 M3 even used around the time I purchased mine would have cost more initially not including any maintenance or repairs over time. I love moding and working on my car. If I'm not moding I'm thinking about it.
 
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