Is there a definitive answer to LSx into E46?
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Green Oak, MI
Is there a definitive answer to LSx into E46? I have an E46 that I have the head off of right now...I'm looking and its not much more work to pull the block...sell the M54 and buy a LSx.
Will it fit or not? The brake booster looks to be a problem but there is always hydroboost.
I've seen plenty of talk but nothing done as of yet.
Will it fit or not? The brake booster looks to be a problem but there is always hydroboost.
I've seen plenty of talk but nothing done as of yet.
It has been done. Idaho Speed shop did a wagon years ago.
The real issue is wiring - the E46 uses a CAN bus, which makes integration of the instruments and HVAC much more of a challenge than on a e36.
The real issue is wiring - the E46 uses a CAN bus, which makes integration of the instruments and HVAC much more of a challenge than on a e36.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Green Oak, MI
An M54 will run me about $3,500.
Looks like I have a hairline crack in the block. I took a chance buying the car and from all I could tell it was a bent valve but now after inspecting it there is too much coolant in the cylinder for that.
I only paid 4K for a prisitine 330ci so even with the bad motor I'm still ahead.
I like the car but it has the grey interior which I'm not fond of. I was looking at high mileage e46's with the 2.5l instead of the 3.0 and they are pretty reasonable.
From looking at parts cost I could probably part out the entire car for 10K and still be ahead then pick up a high mileage E46 and do the conversion on that.
The car with today's marketing in Michigan is worth about $11,000, 15 percent unemployment doesn't do a whole lot for car values. I hate to go down that road of putting $3,500 into it and then finding something else and having it cost me 5K to get it right. I can get near 11k parting it out from what I've seen and no worries, maybe even more since only the block is bad, the head is fine.
I'm going to give New Age a call tomorrow and see what their E46 status is.
Looks like I have a hairline crack in the block. I took a chance buying the car and from all I could tell it was a bent valve but now after inspecting it there is too much coolant in the cylinder for that.
I only paid 4K for a prisitine 330ci so even with the bad motor I'm still ahead.
I like the car but it has the grey interior which I'm not fond of. I was looking at high mileage e46's with the 2.5l instead of the 3.0 and they are pretty reasonable.
From looking at parts cost I could probably part out the entire car for 10K and still be ahead then pick up a high mileage E46 and do the conversion on that.
The car with today's marketing in Michigan is worth about $11,000, 15 percent unemployment doesn't do a whole lot for car values. I hate to go down that road of putting $3,500 into it and then finding something else and having it cost me 5K to get it right. I can get near 11k parting it out from what I've seen and no worries, maybe even more since only the block is bad, the head is fine.
I'm going to give New Age a call tomorrow and see what their E46 status is.
You could sleeve the cylinder. I bought a complete m54 to put in a friends 530 and frew years ago for $1500. 3500 is a bit much. I would research around, get on some of the bimmer forums, etc. I could see 2000 tops for a used motor. Hope this helps, Josh
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From: Dallas, Ga (2.7 miles from Southeastern Dragway)
Whats your plan? Do you know how to work with the can-bus, or are you working around it somehow?
I'm really looking forward to the LS1 making its way into the E46 chasis, but I keep hearing the can is a problem. Is this whole thing overblown? I'm just dying to see some sort of light at the end of the tunnel, so any insight you're willing to share I gladly welcome.
I'm really looking forward to the LS1 making its way into the E46 chasis, but I keep hearing the can is a problem. Is this whole thing overblown? I'm just dying to see some sort of light at the end of the tunnel, so any insight you're willing to share I gladly welcome.
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