Making the S54 swap easier

Post Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:05 pm

http://www.specialist-components.co.uk/ ... egoryID=35

Post Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:34 pm

And if anyone does buy this ECU, admire the laser engraving on the top of the box, as I did it

Post Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:39 pm

interesting

Post Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 am

ian332isport wrote:And if anyone does buy this ECU, admire the laser engraving on the top of the box, as I did it

wow!, your a dark horse ian.

Post Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:45 am

I am complete opposite, don't care about the cosmetics. Does it work???

Post Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:14 am

Wow, that shifts the goalposts a little bit! 340bhp N/A from a stock engine!
What sort of cash are we looking at for exhaust manifolds?

Post Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:09 pm

Am I correct in reading that the 3.0L S50 kills the 3.2L S54 under 4000rpm?

Post Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:33 pm

Manifolds: I'd suggest you get a BTB (or equivalent) S50 manifold and have the primaries modified to accept the S50 flanges rather than the S50 ones (three bolts, instead of 4) as the S54 drops straighrt into an E36 on its original manifold.

A friend of mine has an E36M3 GT and wants to fit an S54. I just sent him the links.

Makes me want to ditch my S50, purely so I can rev to 8.5k instead of 7.5k!

I'd be really interested in seeing how the base maps were derived.. IE are they a dump of the BMW ones that are interpolated to the sites of the new ecu? These engines are notoriously hard to map correctly.

Post Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:01 pm

jaistanley wrote:Manifolds: I'd suggest you get a BTB (or equivalent) S50 manifold and have the primaries modified to accept the S50 flanges rather than the S50 ones (three bolts, instead of 4) as the S54 drops straighrt into an E36 on its original manifold.

i know my car is lhd, but, the S54 manifolds cleared my crossmember/arb , cleared the bulkhead, and cleared the lollipops. and with them only having three bolts per flange, they can be fitted in minutes.

Post Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:46 am

'minutes'... LOL

It'd be interesting to get some pictures if you have any glenn, to see how they'd foul the RHD steering column..

Jai

Post Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:17 pm

S54 manifolds are easy work compared to earlier stuff

Post Tue Dec 08, 2009 1:25 pm

it would be very interesting to see how the costs stack up between the S50 and S54 swaps. Does anyone know how much you could get an s54 engine/gearbox + ancillaries for?

Post Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:11 pm

At the moment, they are relatively cheap! I imagine it's because they're not so good for swapping (electronics), because there are loads of newer cars around etc.

Post Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:13 pm

I know of a CSL engine for sale for £3k... that would be lively.

Post Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:34 pm

jaistanley wrote:'minutes'... LOL

the thing is jai, every nut can be tightened with a socket and ratchet, unlike the s50 where, some have to be done with a spanner.

It'd be interesting to get some pictures if you have any glenn, to see how they'd foul the RHD steering column..

i didn't take many pics of the s54 swap i did jai, as there didn't seem that much interest, and now that car has long gone

Does anyone know how much you could get an s54 engine/gearbox + ancillaries for?

i know for one at the moment, cheap.
'a friend of a friend' damaged his e46 m3, and broke the car himself.
he sold the engine and gearbox to his boss (garage owner).
neither of the two knew the engine/gearbox's value, so the 'boss' had the both for £500 !
the 'boss' hasn't done anything with it yet, as it's too complicated for him, and the 'seller' has started to realise what they are worth, and is thinking of having it back and re-selling it on.........and of course....i've showed an interest

Post Tue Dec 08, 2009 6:13 pm

well if it was still going for £500 I would come and collect it tomorrow

Let me know if it is for sale as I'm very tempted...

Post Tue Dec 08, 2009 6:46 pm

Nice find

Does the s54 require a sump swap

Jason

Post Tue Dec 08, 2009 6:52 pm

e21Jason wrote:Nice find

Does the s54 require a sump swap

Jason

hello jason,
it's basicly the same items needed as the s50 swaps.
i used the e34 m50 sump / dipstick & tube / s50 3 litre oil pump

Post Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:09 pm

well been searching for an engine and not been able to find one with the usual suspects yet (FAB etc) still on the lookout

Does anyone know if the ancillaries from the M54 will fit the S54? Might make the search a little easier...
Also need to find out if this ecu will run a csl engine as I believe the wiring looms and management are different due to the plenums...

Post Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:58 pm

Friend of mine has his S54 in his RHD E30 drift car, just need to sort out the management now as he bought Link for it last year when he got the engine.

Will probably use the Typhoon myself for my own one.

I know somebody looking for an S54 and 6 speed manual for a 3L E36 M3 so would be interested in that engine if it was still going cheap or if anybody knows of any others about.