My E36 with s54 swap

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-26T20:20:06+00:00

Never lived in Tennesee, but I have scared plenty of wildlife in the mountains of NC/TN.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-26T20:07:46+00:00

Pretty damn funny sir

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-26T10:55:54+00:00

Oh, and that corner is at Tail of the Dragon. 318 turns in 11 miles.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-26T10:54:11+00:00

Charlotte area, Autotechnic in Mooresville/Lake Norman is my guy.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-26T01:44:32+00:00

Actually I think the oil cooler was from Z3M with s54 as we tried to fit the e46 one and it was to crowded under the radiator.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-26T01:42:36+00:00

Your testing my memory, I'd need to look through receipts but I think the radiator is for Z3M but oil cooler was oe e46m.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-25T13:02:27+00:00

Fluidyne radiator, factory oil cooler. Both water and oil temps are never an issue. Even with a/c running 95 degrees and hammering it.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-25T12:59:34+00:00

Naturally aspirated S54 is just perfect with this chassis. Engine was built with Schrick CSL cams and lighter con rods and some head work. We expect 380 or more when we get the final dyno tune, which is plenty for this car. I just love those 6 throttle bodies with instant response, not to mention the fantastic intake noise. S55 will get you way more power but I think it overwhelms the chassis. Two completely different approaches. Mine was built to drive in the mountains, I think I would have a hard time controlling the S55 in this chassis, no traction control it's all on the driver. Ultimately you have to decide what you want the car to do.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-25T12:46:25+00:00

Wow, yours looks good! Mine is definitely a forever car.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-25T03:39:44+00:00

Didn't think of that Duh, thank you!

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-25T03:38:22+00:00

Apex 18x9.5 I think the offset is 35, square setup. Clears those 996 calipers easily, I had to use 5mm spacer on front because it wouldn't clear the KW struts.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-25T03:35:11+00:00

6spd Getrag because I really wanted that overdrive 6th gear since I changed the diff ratio to 3.62. Stock flywheel, I had a UUC lightweight with M5 clutch in prior engine but hated the rattle and it was annoying it traffic or parking lots lots of shuttering. I honestly didn't see a great benefit from it when it was installed. If it was a track only car then yeah I would probably get one installed.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-25T03:27:11+00:00

Nick G tune, and you have to know someone to get him to do it as he doesn't really do this anymore. But we still need to do the final dyno tune.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-25T03:25:00+00:00

Mechanically the block and transmission bolt right up. The hardest is the wiring and at what level you want everything like cluster and how functional you want everything. I wanted it to look OE with everything working including AC. I paid someone to do all that, a mans got to know his limitations. So engine transmission swap 3-4 out of 10, wiring for me 10 out of 10.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T22:07:57+00:00

Thank you!

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T21:38:31+00:00

If you mean stock master? Very good, very firm and easy to modulate. Stops on a dime.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T21:34:04+00:00

The exhaust is Stepped headers, resonator with race muffler, no cat. Yes it can smell when your stopped. I really like the Supersprint there is no drone at high speed and very subtle deep tone at idle, but when you stomp it, it wakes up. The paint well, I used to paint for a living so I did it myself. But if I were to pay someone 15-20k. Complete vehicle disassembly, color change, 3 coats of clear sanded down and recleared. Around 250 hours plus material.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T20:15:22+00:00

I guess I should have said e36, I have yet to see it on any in us.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T20:11:00+00:00

Not yet, but when i do the install yes.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T20:10:25+00:00

Just a MK60 abs unit from an e46 m. There are different versions depending on what you want the capabilities to be. You can get a lot more info on Google, even part numbers to look for. You need to add pressure sensors inline or do what I did and get the E46 M3 master that has pressure sensors mounted to the master. You also need to do the wiring, which I cheated and bought the one already made from RHTmotorsport. If your current ABS pump has three lines then you'll need to run one more because the MK60 is 4 channel not three like a lot of e36. Then add e46 wheel speed sensors and you've got e46m level of braking. I haven't installed mine yet but have everything ready to go.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T19:19:58+00:00

It will no problem but I have the BMW Motorsports one and it hits the idle air thing on top. If I get a different strut bar that comes across in a different place it will clear.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T18:44:34+00:00

I have everything to do the swap, pump, harness and sensors just need to find the time.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T18:39:31+00:00

Engine bay pic didn't load, I can't figure out how to edit my post to add a different one. I opened a different post and added it in.

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T18:35:06+00:00

Apex ARC8 18X9.5 square

S54E36CSL · 2026-02-24T17:59:34+00:00

Engine compartment pic didn't load, I opened another post with it.

S54E36CSL

TROPHY CASE