E46 M3

[delphincabby]

Hi peps i have the chance of an E46 M3 engine, how much work is involved in this and is it worth it, engine is £2000

[maxfield]

It will definitely be worth it!

But triple that price and you will get close to what it will cost to do!

Assuming you're doing it yourself, and that won't be easy.

[Brianmoooore]

Make sure you get all the EWS bits that match the engine ECU.

[Jhonno]

it will be a ball ache to wire.. needs standalone, but not any standalone due the complex vanos and stuff

Not really worth it over an s50 lump imo

[delphincabby]

yeah all parts will be available, just got to think about it now

[Ant]

biggest hurdle is the sump and oil pump need swopping out, or a modded E36 x member fitted so it can stay as-is

the next headache ( ballache ? ) would be the throttle by wire setup.

Deep pockets required on this, nothing is gonna just bolt up without major mods

[jaistanley]

There's a guy in america thats managed to get the engine running on standard electronics but he had to swap the E46 fusebox, sensors, throttle etc etc etc... BALLACHE isn't the word! You'd really need a Motec (or equivalent) ecu that can control the throttle and the vanos. You might be able to convert it to cable throttle and there is talk of the cheaper Emerald ECU being updated to run Vanos type VVT soon which would cut the costs.

IMO.. Not worth it in an E30. Perhaps in an E36 where there are more parts that can be just brought over (sump, exhaust manifold, steering/wheel sensors, cooling system, brake servo clearance,6 sp gearbox/diff/prop combo, clocks (from an M Coupe)). In an E30 go for an S50B30 (I have an S50B32 to fit to my car but doing it again I'd probably find myself a B30)

Good luck mate.

Jai