Firstfives.org

I am looking at swapping out my M30B28 with a M30B35.
On this forum there are some brief comments about putting in more modern motors. In one, they say S52 can be put in. Does anybody know how hard that
would be to do? Would it straight forward or does it take some serious modifications? Would a standard mechanic (not a shop that specialized in mods) be able to do that? I have not seen an S52, but I have seen
the motor in the E39 528i (M52B28) and it looks too long to fit
(would hit the radiator). Aren't the S52 and M52 similar in dimensions?

Dimensionally they fit, but it's not a bolt in job. I've done a bit of research myself, there is plenty of information out there if you are willing to trawl the interwebs for it (I don't have any links handy for you sorry).

At the end of the day the sky is the limit if you have the $'s

Really it fits?
I have an e38 528i. I have wondered about takings its motor
and putting it in my E12. I convinced myself it was not possible.
Maybe I was wrong.
Now I see someone selling a S52 locally. If I could get it installed in my E12, that would be great.
I don't have much time to put into doing it and my mechanic is not into
complicated mods. What needs to be done?

JodyStevens wrote:http://www.firstfives.org/bboard/viewtopic.php?p=8215

Good summary, but it makes it sound too easy, IMO. It could be done, but not inexpensively, you would have to have very good mechanical, fabrication and wiring skills, or else be prepared to pay for a lot of time for someone who does. One more complication is M/S5s engines sit at a 15 degree angle and M30s are at 30.

And yes, externally the M and S52 engines are about the same, they are very close relatives.

My post was to say that it's not easy. The link that I referenced says that mounts and exhaust manifolds headers need to be custom fabbed. That's not a job for a regular mechanic. That's customs/race shop stuff. Wiring wouldn't be that bad IMO, not a whole lot on an e12.

JodyStevens wrote:That's not a job for a regular mechanic. That's customs/race shop stuff. Wiring wouldn't be that bad IMO, not a whole lot on an e12.

Yeah, spot on. I think it's one of the coolest conversions to aspire to for an E12. But as Mike mentions you would want to have the skills/resources at your disposal, and an awareness that you will never get that money back haha.

If you have to ask, don't do it!

I agree now.
It is not the new m30b35. Installing that is not a no-brainer.
Many of the people on here are very blaze about what they are doing.
It would need a lot of
work and time by someone who knows what they are doing.
I realize I do not have the time and no-how to install it.

Jelmer wrote:If you have to ask, don't do it!

Everything is easy if you know how to do it. If you have never performed any kind of engine swap and or don't have pretty decent mechanical inclinations this wouldn't be a good place to start.