E34 520i Engine swap with M54B30

[t@r@r e34]

Hi guys.

Need your advice. I own E34 520i (M50B20TU). Planing to swap engine to bit bigger and more powerful one. I am thinking of M54B30. Has anyone done this before here and any recommended place to do it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[deepblueE34]

Good thinking T@r@r.. don't waste your time and money fixing the B20... I did and I regretted it.

If you want to swap your engine it's easier to get a halfcut so that you can use the ECU and wiring, breaks and exhaust, etc. If you don't have the money and you don't mind the M50b25, all you need is the engine, intake manifold, breaks and exhaust (maybe optional). I did that and it cost me around ~4K including workmanship. I'm pretty happy with the results.

It's definitely possible to use an e39 engine but I don't know how much that'll cost.

 

[t@r@r e34]

Good thinking T@r@r.. don't waste your time and money fixing the B20... I did and I regretted it.

If you want to swap your engine it's easier to get a halfcut so that you can use the ECU and wiring, breaks and exhaust, etc. If you don't have the money and you don't mind the M50b25, all you need is the engine, intake manifold, breaks and exhaust (maybe optional). I did that and it cost me around ~4K including workmanship. I'm pretty happy with the results.

It's definitely possible to use an e39 engine but I don't know how much that'll cost.

Thank you very much Mr DeepBlue e34.
Definitely looking for swap but may be something better than M50B25. M54B30 (from e46) would it fit and any reliable workshop who can covert to OBD1 in klang valley?

 

[EEEE30]

This had been done before but I doubt such a swap ever done in Malaysia. It is a electronic nightmare if you don't have the complete wire harness with the matching ignition key. even with that, you still have to modify the m50 harness. I believe you need to use the Bosch 413 red label ECU if you plan to convert it to OBD1.
That is just electronics, how about the mechanical? tranny, propshaft..ect

Didn't mean to scare you or anything, but those are things that you need to pay attention to if you are going on that route.

 

[beemernut]

I had the M50B20TU engine in my wifes 520 swapped for a 12 valve 2.5 liter engine and the power increase was significant cost was in the neighborhood of RM3000 including the used engine. PM me for details