my friend, I am writing to you from Italy and I have an m3 e46, I advise you to check the oil pump chain, you could bang, vanos, valve clearance and vanos overhaul... your works are wonderful
You made the right choice. I'm not against K swaps, but not in a "special" car like an older M3. Building a hot rod original motor would have been my top choice, but this is 1b. I'd love to see a half cage and no rear seats, and make the car light but still comfortable and quiet--a hot rod classic grand tourer that you could take on a nice coast to coast trip.
As someone who has completely rebuilt an s54 from every single nut and bolt, and swapped into his e36 m3… I applaud the engine choice. Now having said that.. please take your time and go slow with the timing. These cars hate even the slightest variance in timing. Get a quality timing set, you can use Weisco for timing shim sets, stick with Geba as your water pump, replace and rebuild your VANOS with Beisan systems sets, get the oil pump puck redrilled for the timing set arms (known failure) uses Andrew’s swap harness (from the forum) euro headers are fantastic, but hard to come by, Status grüppe make a nice set, or go cheap and get Megan racing. Change your timing guide to the newer version, that should get you started
I put 100,000 miles on my 1988 M-3 and never had any issues with rust/cracking and I spent 2 years in Boston. I even bought new shocks from Turner Motorsports when they were a new business. Nice guys. Whoever had owned this car abused it. You’re restomodding it will make it a nice play toy but will ruin its value. I’m amazed at how much E30 M-3’s have gone up in value. I bought mine in 1994 for $12k and it was in like new condition,not a scratch. The only downside is side was the S14 engine. It requires frequent valve adjustment that cost about $800-1000 every 8k miles. As my daily driver that clock wound up fast. Selling her was the biggest automotive mistake I’ve made in my 71 years. Best sports car I’ve ever owned.
Did the same engine swap on my brother's 1985 325I AKA the M3 before the M3. This engine is a perfect match to the chassis and it stays reliable because your not pushing it to hard to make power.
I would check the rod bearings while it is out of the car and easy :) Looks like you are on the right track as far as what to refresh. Water pump, tstat, oil filter housing gasket, valve cover, oil pan gasket, Constant Pressure Valve (CPV) oring!, idlers, etc. Rebuild the VANOS with upgraded Beisan Systems parts, plus check/replace the bolts holding the cam gears on, the upper timing guide, and get a redrilled oil pump disc. Use only the BMW OEM timing tools for the S54! BTW, $4k is a good deal on that engine. I just got my S54 out of my parts car onto a stand this weekend and have a pile of these parts awaiting to go in. Once it is refreshed it is replacing the M52 in my E36 track car.
Looking forward to see the progress on this build. Great combo of car and power plant. I had an E46 M3 years ago and loved that car and the engine was superb.
Super excited for this one Matt! I swapped an s54 into my e30 almost 4 years ago now and absolutely love it! But I am getting ready to pull my swap out and put it into my e30 touring!
S54 engine is definitely a sweet motor, but if you wanted reliability, you missed a huge opportunity to go with an N52. 255hp / 230ft/lb of torque, and 150lbs less weight. Oh, and with a simple flange replacement, the S54 headers bolt right up...
bmw engine S54 perfect engine The big problem you need to do and pay attention to is to replace the mandatory springs on the cam in the head. they stretch out and create a problem. must get some better substitutes. Your project is excellent. All the best 👏👏👏👏
Excited to watch this build! I'd recommend Supersprint Full-stepped V1 headers for the S54. Also hope to see (and hear) a Karbonius CSL intake! Another piece of advice - use OEM BMW Gaskets (especially valve cover), otherwise you'll be re-doing the job, even using OE (Elring).
I worked for BMW North America for three years. And also worked for two dealer Ships. At one of the dealerships two of the mechanics installed a motor out of a 7 series motor in a Early 320 I. It was scarier fast but the problem was you could not stop the car so they had to adapt the 7 series brakes to the car so it would STOP the car.
You should probably replace the oil pump with an upgraded one as preventive maintenance. The oil pump nut tends to loosen, which can lead to a loss of oil pressure. Congrats on reaching 100k!
Best car channel. Feels like I'm in the garage with you. Also you make very informative videos, they are not only entertaining, although they are very entertaining!
Great choice, hard to decide. Always wanted a V8 sound car that didnt came with a V8, but LS swap are too common and BMW V8 (all of them) were not the best. However when you know them, no issue to use them as they should, with elbow grease. S54 are great, but sound wise not the best. N52 sound better , cheaper and can get close to the 300bhp figure with a 3 stage manifold, full exhaust and aggressive tune. I personally went with N54, single turbo : because they sound as good 1jz or even the 2jz, they are wayyyyyy cheaper. But maintenance wise initial cost, wow , what a rip off, those engine need a lot of love to be reliable.
Sorry man, those are OEM bolts. ARP have an impression in the centre (for a stretch gauge) and are marked as ARP. It doesn't mean the bearings weren't done but it's a strange choice to use OEM bolts. Perfect choice of engine though.
You should find someone with a vapor hone and make all the aluminum look better than brand new. Although I guess you're already replacing most of the aluminum parts.
8:25...well I mean you are using a 1/2-3/8 reducer and an extension...lol all that flex, tolerance stacking, and lost mass is the issue my man. This is turning into such a cool car though man, keep going!
For headers, either save money and get ebay headers or spend the bucks and get STEPPED headers. In-between is a waste of money unless you get it free from a sponsor. So happy to see you choose an s54!
Hey Matt, use some of that famous window cleaner on this floor oil stains!!!!😂 just teasing…great video as always. Bro you need more room. Time for a different home with a shop.
Receipts for rod bearing replacement? If you don't personally know the seller and there is not an engine serial number on a shop installation receipt, remember the motto: Trust but verify.
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Sick of big crazy builds with high end production. This is grass roots old RUclips days. Love it
I call it real youtube
Yeah man this is stressfully tight space, this dude is a fighter:)
Definitely! Easily one of the best car youtubers right now.
Now if only he gets rid of the loud crappy music then it might actually be watchable.
my friend, I am writing to you from Italy and I have an m3 e46, I advise you to check the oil pump chain, you could bang, vanos, valve clearance and vanos overhaul... your works are wonderful
You made the right choice. I'm not against K swaps, but not in a "special" car like an older M3. Building a hot rod original motor would have been my top choice, but this is 1b.
I'd love to see a half cage and no rear seats, and make the car light but still comfortable and quiet--a hot rod classic grand tourer that you could take on a nice coast to coast trip.
Thank god you went with an S54 and not another fucking LS swap that basically every other american youtuber does
Hate LS swap everything!
Didn’t he LS swap his other BMW?! 😂
@@joevergnetti767 😆 true.
LS is better than anything
@@RichardJamesWellingtonIVtrue the ls is favoured for a reason it's reliable and compact
Just a quick note, e30 rear disk arms are worth selling on. They are worth a bit of money so don’t just throw them away
I love these OEM Plus builds, basically modifying the car as it came from the factory with updated OEM parts to make it better to drive.
The S54 is an amazing engine. The last great naturally aspirated BMW straight 6. It’s a perfect choice for the E30 M3 that doesn’t have an engine.
As someone who has completely rebuilt an s54 from every single nut and bolt, and swapped into his e36 m3… I applaud the engine choice. Now having said that.. please take your time and go slow with the timing. These cars hate even the slightest variance in timing. Get a quality timing set, you can use Weisco for timing shim sets, stick with Geba as your water pump, replace and rebuild your VANOS with Beisan systems sets, get the oil pump puck redrilled for the timing set arms (known failure) uses Andrew’s swap harness (from the forum) euro headers are fantastic, but hard to come by, Status grüppe make a nice set, or go cheap and get Megan racing. Change your timing guide to the newer version, that should get you started
and take care with the camshafts they are hollow and bend very quickly if you not evenly losening and fasten the bearings.
1:40 since you are reinforcing the oe subframe you are either s52 or s54 swapping. Commenting so that you keep building the e30 m3
Finally, an American car RUclipsr who didn't LS swap something! Great build and the perfect engine choice..
I LS swapped my E36 lol
The impact wrenches loose a ton of torque when you put an extension on it. FYI.
I put 100,000 miles on my 1988 M-3 and never had any issues with rust/cracking and I spent 2 years in Boston. I even bought new shocks from Turner Motorsports when they were a new business. Nice guys. Whoever had owned this car abused it. You’re restomodding it will make it a nice play toy but will ruin its value. I’m amazed at how much E30 M-3’s have gone up in value. I bought mine in 1994 for $12k and it was in like new condition,not a scratch. The only downside is side was the S14 engine. It requires frequent valve adjustment that cost about $800-1000 every 8k miles. As my daily driver that clock wound up fast. Selling her was the biggest automotive mistake I’ve made in my 71 years. Best sports car I’ve ever owned.
Did the same engine swap on my brother's 1985 325I AKA the M3 before the M3. This engine is a perfect match to the chassis and it stays reliable because your not pushing it to hard to make power.
You need to pull the rod caps and inspect the bearings individually then re-torque , disaster waiting to happen if that bottom end is worn 👍
once you said it's gonna have a 6 speed from a e46 m3 i just knew it's gonna be the S54, gotta love the allmighty 3.2 I6 with itbs
I would check the rod bearings while it is out of the car and easy :) Looks like you are on the right track as far as what to refresh. Water pump, tstat, oil filter housing gasket, valve cover, oil pan gasket, Constant Pressure Valve (CPV) oring!, idlers, etc. Rebuild the VANOS with upgraded Beisan Systems parts, plus check/replace the bolts holding the cam gears on, the upper timing guide, and get a redrilled oil pump disc. Use only the BMW OEM timing tools for the S54! BTW, $4k is a good deal on that engine. I just got my S54 out of my parts car onto a stand this weekend and have a pile of these parts awaiting to go in. Once it is refreshed it is replacing the M52 in my E36 track car.
He has receipts for the bearing replacements by the previous owner.
That rear subframe with the disc brake hubs and control arms is useful for someone upgrading a 318 E30.
best chassis going with the best motor this build is going to be awesome
Your getting better and better good choice with the engine it's gonna be a great build keep up the good work Matt
Russell 🇬🇧
Looking forward to see the progress on this build. Great combo of car and power plant. I had an E46 M3 years ago and loved that car and the engine was superb.
Keep doing what You feel is right Matt, it's ultimately your cars. Enjoy
18:31 Take a rod cap of to see the bearings,you are already there.
Super excited for this one Matt! I swapped an s54 into my e30 almost 4 years ago now and absolutely love it! But I am getting ready to pull my swap out and put it into my e30 touring!
Wow that is awesome!
S54 engine is definitely a sweet motor, but if you wanted reliability, you missed a huge opportunity to go with an N52. 255hp / 230ft/lb of torque, and 150lbs less weight. Oh, and with a simple flange replacement, the S54 headers bolt right up...
rip to your shop tv from all those welding and grinding pits.... anyway love the content!
this s54 looks likes it had some oil changes but... not very often. A good engine cleaner would sort that right out.
If you can source Euro headers, that'll be the ultimate OE+ option. Otherwise supersprint headers is a nice option
So impressed with your choice of engine. This is going to be one sweet car when its done! Great job!
bmw engine S54 perfect engine
The big problem you need to do and pay attention to is to replace the mandatory springs on the cam in the head. they stretch out and create a problem.
must get some better substitutes. Your project is excellent.
All the best 👏👏👏👏
Geeze, why did I only find this RUclips channel now??? You're a hard worker bro. Love your content.
Glad you’re here now!
Congrats on 100 👍
Just check all your cooling aspects to the engine especially with the E46 M3 engines. Other than that they are bullet proof
I’m so impressed with this project, you made the right choice with the S54! Can’t wait to see more
Need that E92 M3 content
Coming
good desision for the s54 engine. An original M3 must have an original M Engine otherwise it is worthless.
Good engine choice. Congrats on 100k subs!
Thank you!
NUT BUSTING TORQUE 😂 excited for the rest of the build too
am M3 deserves and M3 engine. the K20 would have been super cool too but I think this is the right choice.
Excited to watch this build! I'd recommend Supersprint Full-stepped V1 headers for the S54. Also hope to see (and hear) a Karbonius CSL intake!
Another piece of advice - use OEM BMW Gaskets (especially valve cover), otherwise you'll be re-doing the job, even using OE (Elring).
Nice screeeeeeeeetch at the end. Very fitting for October.
Glad you went for the S54 - K20 or something would have been nice in another car but an M3 deserves a BMW engine :)
10:30 I didn't know The Weekend was a mechanic and is selling engines
280-300whp in an E30 is the sweet spot.
I worked for BMW North America for three years. And also worked for two dealer Ships. At one of the dealerships two of the mechanics
installed a motor out of a 7 series motor in a Early 320 I. It was scarier fast but the problem was you could not stop the car so they had to
adapt the 7 series brakes to the car so it would STOP the car.
Go get some of the new bite husky stuff. Might help on those old stripped out full of paint hardware
You should probably replace the oil pump with an upgraded one as preventive maintenance. The oil pump nut tends to loosen, which can lead to a loss of oil pressure. Congrats on reaching 100k!
I am not an Expert for S54 but isn´t the oil pump nut only a problem on the M54 if you set the limiter to 7000rpm?
Grats on 100k!
Best car channel. Feels like I'm in the garage with you. Also you make very informative videos, they are not only entertaining, although they are very entertaining!
Very cool!! Is that engine a US spec or Euro one? Probably 6 into 1 stepped headers can help sound and performance
Great choice for the engine. Either S54 or an S14 is the way to go on these imo
Great choice, hard to decide. Always wanted a V8 sound car that didnt came with a V8, but LS swap are too common and BMW V8 (all of them) were not the best. However when you know them, no issue to use them as they should, with elbow grease.
S54 are great, but sound wise not the best. N52 sound better , cheaper and can get close to the 300bhp figure with a 3 stage manifold, full exhaust and aggressive tune.
I personally went with N54, single turbo : because they sound as good 1jz or even the 2jz, they are wayyyyyy cheaper. But maintenance wise initial cost, wow , what a rip off, those engine need a lot of love to be reliable.
Gratz man to 100K subs 🎆. If you keep the videos regularly coming the subs will go up fast from now on.
If possible original wire spoke bbs wheels like the original would be awesome
Audi i5 turbo? That would be sacrilegious, but sound awesome!
Hell yea
3 series BMW has to be either inline 6, V8 or V10 - no other option.
Check the rood bearings bro while you are still there ;))
Lets go S54 is by far my favorite m engine right in front of the s65
Nice black wheels on the 997 🎉
I can only hope that it's an S54, nothing like jumping ahead two generations and installing one in a lighter E30 M3...3,2,1...
Love the engine decision!
Another awesome choice would be an S58 3.0L M-motor or a B58 3.0L motor from a new BMW SUPRA
Sorry man, those are OEM bolts. ARP have an impression in the centre (for a stretch gauge) and are marked as ARP. It doesn't mean the bearings weren't done but it's a strange choice to use OEM bolts.
Perfect choice of engine though.
Thanks for the info!
You should have gone with the K20.
2:59 bless you
Great build and bless you😂 (3:00)
Gave me a heart attack when you said LS1. S54 is brilliant.
Nice job brother keep up your hard work
I gotta say you went with the S50
Congrats on 100k subscribers!
Matt you produce high quality, funny content but it's also consistent. That's what we call "The triple threat".
Glad to hear that. Thanks!
So nice to see a build like this sick of super and vag car rebuilds.
Is there a mode on your camera that moves less like only when it needs to put you in frame? Long time fan still watching!
You should find someone with a vapor hone and make all the aluminum look better than brand new. Although I guess you're already replacing most of the aluminum parts.
A lot is going to be replaced for sure.
You should confirm those are APR bolts.
8:25...well I mean you are using a 1/2-3/8 reducer and an extension...lol all that flex, tolerance stacking, and lost mass is the issue my man. This is turning into such a cool car though man, keep going!
Yes I know. But still I was surprised lol
That is the right engine matt for the e30. What's the update on the E92 M3?
I think so too! (obviously) E92 is painted, but still haven't located an engine for it.
Don't know too much about BMW powertrains but glad you kept it BMW
S54 and k24 are perfect for the e30 both for different reasons
This is going to be a fantastic car!
For headers, either save money and get ebay headers or spend the bucks and get STEPPED headers. In-between is a waste of money unless you get it free from a sponsor. So happy to see you choose an s54!
Hey Matt, use some of that famous window cleaner on this floor oil stains!!!!😂 just teasing…great video as always. Bro you need more room. Time for a different home with a shop.
12:06 slap a supercharger one it!
Excited to watch this project through. Did you get rid of the purple BMW?
Literally as your undoing the oil pan bolts, im saying he checked and made sure their wasn't oil in there right lol
You should run a 2JZGTE non vvti or vvti with a TREMEC 6 speed manual.
Good choice. Honda motor swaps sound fun until you have to drive it anywhere thats not a track
Great build 👏. Would you sell it when finished? If so how much ?.
Hope it’s a s54
Edit:
Yesssss
19:12 i've already heard this somewhere hahah
Makes me happy that you're not putting and honda stupidity into an M3. That would be like swapping 1.9tdi into a Lamborghini
Congrats on 100k
Thanks so much!
Do a k swap mr2 next
nice engine choice
Should definitely do the ac compressor while youre in there....that will SUCK to replace after its all done
Receipts for rod bearing replacement? If you don't personally know the seller and there is not an engine serial number on a shop installation receipt, remember the motto: Trust but verify.
pull back on the meme clips. the juice isn't worth the squeeze.
Time to get a bigger garage
Am new ere excellent job keep doing your best
3:34 don't think we didn't see that
Cool car. ❤
Bless you
Thanks lol