ZHP m54 vs base 330i m54

[BoostedZHP]

Hey guys! As some of you predicted, I'm really beginning to miss my ZHP and have started looking for another one. As much as I want another one, I would love to also keep my 335 for now, if possible. This leaves me looking at ZHPs on the cheaper end of the spectrum, but I found one that piques my interest. It is extremely clean, low mileage, and the exact color/interior combo I prefer, but needs a rebuild. Oil pump failed. I was thinking of buying it and putting in a used m54 instead. M54b30s seem to be quite plentiful, but most aren't the ZHP model, as m54s generally last quite a while. Could I put one in from a regular 330/530? I know the cams are different among some other differences. How much of a problem would this be to do? Thanks!

[mbeckel]

There's always finding a wrecked zhp through copart and pulling the engine

[BoostedZHP]

Hadn't thought of that actually, I should see what that would run me! I would like to keep the ZHP engine if possible. But if the only compatibility issues are the software, I wouldn't let the different cams be a deal breaker as I couldn't tell much of a difference in the power between my 330 and my ZHP. Would love to turn this car into a nice daily on a budget.

[LivesNearCostco]

I think you could get the M54B30 non-ZHP motor from a wrecked car along with the DME, you should be good. There might be some step required to get the new DME to talk to the EWS system in the ZHP. Or you could swap in ZHP cams into the new motor.

[mbeckel]

Hadn't thought of that actually, I should see what that would run me! I would like to keep the ZHP engine if possible. But if the only compatibility issues are the software, I wouldn't let the different cams be a deal breaker as I couldn't tell much of a difference in the power between my 330 and my ZHP. Would love to turn this car into a nice daily on a budget.
Other plus side of wrecked zhp from scrap yard, spare parts

Sent from in the bushes

[BoostedZHP]

Other plus side of wrecked zhp from scrap yard, spare parts

Sent from in the bushes

That would be nice for sure! If I got the car running well and used any parts I needed off of the wrecked car, I could always part out the good stuff from that. What's an 05 80k mile 6mt ZHP worth? OB/alcantara

[mbeckel]

That would be nice for sure! If I got the car running well and used any parts I needed off of the wrecked car, I could always part out the good stuff from that. What's an 05 80k mile 6mt ZHP worth? OB/alcantara
A good running car in that combo, maybe 12k-15k (rough estimate)

Sent from in the bushes

[BoostedZHP]

Sweet deal, I was thinking like 10, so that's good news! Thanks for the replies!

[poke08]

Just drop an S54 in it and call it a day.

[BoostedZHP]

That was actually my original thought, but unfortunately with school and a few other projects I don't have the time/money at this point. I figure an m54 should be a pretty straight-forward swap and I have a friend who's done over a dozen swaps who will help me out. An s54 sedan is what I dream about at night though!

[az3579]

That was actually my original thought, but unfortunately with school and a few other projects I don't have the time/money at this point. I figure an m54 should be a pretty straight-forward swap and I have a friend who's done over a dozen swaps who will help me out. An s54 sedan is what I dream about at night though!

School/time/money - perhaps you should just stick to the 335 and call it a day. It's cheaper having one car than two and certainly takes less time to have to deal with one as well.

[BoostedZHP]

I already have two cars but we're working on a deal to trade for my other one. I think it would be a fun project and something I could learn from but I don't want to get too consumed with it during school. Hopefully swapping in another m54 wouldn't be too bad?

[mbeckel]

I already have two cars but we're working on a deal to trade for my other one. I think it would be a fun project and something I could learn from but I don't want to get too consumed with it during school. Hopefully swapping in another m54 wouldn't be too bad?
The right engine would be plug and play

Sent from in the bushes

[BoostedZHP]

The right engine would be plug and play

Sent from in the bushes

Exactly; I would love to do an s54 but I don't have the time for all the research involved with tracking down additional parts as well as whatever additional costs would be involved with that. An m54 should be completely plug and play. I figure worst case, I would have to flash the ZHP ecu with the non ZHP tune. This should be much easier than trying to align the new ecu with the car since it's not a "virgin" ecu. I've read of swaps going the other way (ZHP motor in non ZHP car) and they ran 100% fine with a non-ZHP tune. My guess is the tune doesn't have anything to do with the cams but simply raises the redline and speed limiter.

[terraphantm]

Personally, I would install the ZHP cams on the new motor and loctite the oil pump nut before installing it

[BoostedZHP]

Personally, I would install the ZHP cams on the new motor and loctite the oil pump nut before installing it

I had thought about that too as a potential possibility! Ideally I would like to just find a ZHP motor to drop in but they seem to be hard to find.

[stephenkirsh]

Some schrick cams from TMS might be about the same cost as just finding zhp cams.

[mbeckel]

Some schrick cams from TMS might be about the same cost as just finding zhp cams.
+1 and a nice upgrade from zhp cams

Sent from in the bushes

[terraphantm]

Some schrick cams from TMS might be about the same cost as just finding zhp cams.

Those would require a tune too though (but would make more power I guess)

Looks like you can get new ZHP cams, a valve cover gasket, and ZHP OPN for $900ish via the BMW Performance kit


http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/98179_x600.jpg

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/11120429575/ES17871/

[stephenkirsh]

TMS says you can add those cams with no tune.

"Schrick 264 degree (10.5mm lift) intake and 248 degree (10mm lift) exhaust cams provide a power boost at mid-high RPM range without software changes."

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-4048-schrick-camshaft-set-264248-e46-330-530-x5-30-z3-30.aspx

They're $1075. A deal compared to zhp cams for $900!

[pilotnick1203]

I had actually found a place who makes a plug and play ECU for S54 swaps.

[BoostedZHP]

I just heard that ECS tuning sells a ZHP cam retrofit kit for under $500! This sounds like a very good way to go if it's true, I'll have to look into it more. Would you mind sending me a link to the place that makes the s54 ECUs? That is a great idea!

[pilotnick1203]

Yeah I'll send it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pilotnick1203]

http://ergen.co.uk/s54-plug-and-play-loom-kit.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[terraphantm]

http://ergen.co.uk/s54-plug-and-play-loom-kit.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Really wouldn't need that if doing the swap in an E46.

DME plugs 1, 2, 3, and 5 are all completely separate from the body harness. Take those from the donor car (or buy them new from BMW), and they'll be plug and play.

Plugs 1 and 2 are integral to the DME cradle. Easy to swap out. Takes maybe 30 minutes if you already have the car in the air. I swapped from the US harness to the Euro harness very easily. Plug 1 is the power connector, plug 2 is for the O2 sensors and transmission (reverse light, clutch switch, and SMG stuff if present). That whole harness comes like this:

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/473024_x600.jpg

DME plug 3 is the main engine harness. This is the bit of wiring that goes from the DME to all the various sensors and injectors. Pretty easy to remove and install when swapping in an engine. When I had my intake off, I removed and reinstalled this harness without trouble (I was modifying it to add a couple CSL bits). Looks like this out the car:

http://e46.leenw.com/Images/2006-01-13%20Project%20MITE46%20Exterior%20Summary/2004-09-10%20Engine%20Harness.jpg

DME plug 5 is the coil harness. Literally can be installed in about 30 seconds

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/469013_x600.jpg

The only connection that will need some modifications is engine plug 4, since that connects the DME to the body harness. Body harness is not trivial to install, and I would not recommend trying to. You're better off modifying the harness. For the most part it's a matter of moving some pins around, maybe adding a wire here and there.


Edit: Just went over the differences between X60004 on the M3 and MS45.1 M54s. Looks like these are the necessary changes:


Pin Type Description / Signal type Connection /
1 Add "Signal, terminal 61" Instrument Cluster (X11175/Pin 2)
2 A Move to Pin 18; Add Engine Start Signal in place Connector Voltage signal, terminal 30h (X276)
5 Delete or Ground (empty on late model M3s)
6 Add Start Signal X18820
11 Signal, Oil Presure Instrument Cluster (X11175/Pin 13)
15 E Remove Wire, Add Sport Button Signal Switching Center (X1869/Pin 17)
16 Remove Wire, Add Sport Button LED Switching Center (X1869/Pin 18)
18 Add wire originally in Pin 2 Diagnostic module, fuel tank leakage
19 Delete
21 Signal Oil Level Instrument Cluster
28 E Move to Pin 34; Leave empty
29 A Activation Relay, A/C compressor Relay, A/C compressor
30 A Activation, valve for fuel tank leak diagnosis module Diagnostic module, fuel tank leakage
32 E/A Signal Diagnostic link TXD Diagnostic connector
33 E Signal Electronic vehicle immobilisation Electronic immobiliser control unit
34 Add wire originally in Pin 28 Brake Light Switch

[BADCLOWN]

Just drop an S54 in it and call it a day.


thread should have stopped after this post.


id love an s54 with velocity stacks in my car. ugh.

[az3579]

thread should have stopped after this post.


id love an s54 with velocity stacks in my car. ugh.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[slater]

you gotta pay to play.........

but it would sound killer. :)

peter

[BoostedZHP]

Still thinking of going the s54 route, but also found a nice Mystic sedan with alcantara for a reasonable price. May just get a stock ZHP like this and call it a day. I still have my 335i, that can be my fast car.

[mbeckel]

Still thinking of going the s54 route, but also found a nice Mystic sedan with alcantara for a reasonable price. May just get a stock ZHP like this and call it a day. I still have my 335i, that can be my fast car.
S54 would be killer!

Sent from in the bushes

[BoostedZHP]

S54 would indeed be amazing! thanks for the info on those swaps guys, I'll keep that in mind if I decide to buy the blown one!

[mbeckel]

S54 would indeed be amazing! thanks for the info on those swaps guys, I'll keep that in mind if I decide to buy the blown one!
If you really want to get into a deep project, there's always the LS1 swap. That car would be downright scary!

Sent from in the bushes

[cakM3]

S54 all the way :thumbsup

[terraphantm]

If you really want to get into a deep project, there's always the LS1 swap. That car would be downright scary!

Sent from in the bushes

S54 swap would be significantly cheaper than the LS1. S54 is nearly plug and play. For the LS1, everything has to be fabricated

[mbeckel]

S54 swap would be significantly cheaper than the LS1. S54 is nearly plug and play. For the LS1, everything has to be fabricated
Not as much as you may think. I have found the conversion kit for the motor and trans with driveshaft. Also comes with wiring harness for the new ecu. I've considered tackling this for my next project car (e46/e36 with blown engine)

Sent from in the bushes

[BoostedZHP]

I've actually seen some of those kits, that would be a sexy car indeed! I think I would more likely go the s54 route but it's always nice to have options :)