What engine should I put in a BMW E36?
Posted by VLE135@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 16 comments
Hello,
I am considering purchasing a BMW E36 2-Door (convertible) as a project car. However, I'm not sure what engine I would like to swap the stock motor for. I'm looking to make around 400 - 500HP N/A and on 91 fuel. If anyone has suggestions to what motor I should look for, or how to look for motors for cheap(er), I'd greatly appreciate it.
Also, my budget is below 20k for everything (manual trans, engine, electrical, etc).
UnbelievableDingo@reddit
LS and enjoy life.
No-Locksmith-9377@reddit
Not gonna lie, buy a C5 and learn on it. Why make life harder than it should be.
It's already gonna make 400+ NA, it's already a manual, it will be mostly factory, and you will be able to find repair parts for all of it.
AcanthocephalaNo7788@reddit
2jzge turbo
Johnny-Cash-Facts@reddit
As opposed to the N/A 2JZ-GTE??
AcanthocephalaNo7788@reddit
Practically the same engine, just that you can find ge blocks a dime a dozen in pick n pull, and they’re good for 500hp, a gte block would cost way more.
Johnny-Cash-Facts@reddit
They are NOT good for 500 HP without $6,000 of parts at the very least. The 2JZ-GE is a boat anchor.
Lordrandall@reddit
A few things:
The power convertible top isn’t very reliable, get a manual if you can. Easier to find in the 318.
The chassis isn’t very stiff, and you are planning on 3-4x as much power over stock. Be prepared to twist that sucker apart, or add braces.
I may be wrong here, but IIRC, BMW used a special battery on the convertibles so they would survive the vibrations of cowl shake. Watch for that.
716econoline@reddit
Go the other way and jam a big block in there. 496 stroker kit and it'll fall over 500 hp.
Civil-Zombie6749@reddit
Cummins (don't use the 91 fuel)
rudbri93@reddit
l92 out of one of the trucks, cam, cd009, terminatorx, and some time and youll have a ripper.
pistonsoffury@reddit
Just buy a C5 Corvette and skip the two years of work.
Syscrush@reddit
Two years of taking stuff apart and 6 years of excuses before selling a basket case.
BWa1k@reddit
They come pre LS swapped after all
Syscrush@reddit
You have zero chance of a 400hp NA swap completed for $20k.
NotDougMasters@reddit
The answer is always LS Swap.
VLE135@reddit (OP)
Which LS do you think I should go for, I was considering the LS3.