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! E39 (1997 - 2003)

S52 Swap into a 99 528 (with

M52TU)
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GT42R · Registered
G Joined Nov 13, 2014 · 5 Posts

Discussion Starter · #1 · Nov 6, 2015

Hi guys,

Can anyone give me a rough idea whats involved in

doing an S52 swap into my 99 528i, with M52TU?

Is S52 more difficult on these later E39's with TU

versions of the M52?

General idea what's required?

Donor S52 + DME from an E36, how plug an play of a

job is this?

Thanks!

Reply

matt540 · Registered
Joined May 21, 2009 · 4,072 Posts

#2 · Nov 6, 2015

This topic has been brought up many times before, do

a quick search and you will find the answer.

2000 Dinan 540 Dinan F&R strut tower brace, M5 F&R

sway bars, Koni Sports, Dinan springs, Powerflex poly
bushings F&R. UUC trans bushings, Dinan stage 3 engine
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GT42R · Registered
G Joined Nov 13, 2014 · 5 Posts

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 6, 2015

(Edited)

Hi, I did search actually... Saw quite a bit of conflicting

info, and I got the impression the swap was more
complicated on the M52TU28 cars... Such as dual
vanos wiring and ecu from the M52TU car, attached to
a single Vanos S52 engine?

Reply

eparayno · Registered
Joined Jan 10, 2012 · 1,219 Posts

#4 · Nov 6, 2015

It can happen if you have thousands of dollars to

blow. If you have to ask what's involved in doing a
swap then it's not gonna happen.

<a
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GT42R · Registered
G Joined Nov 13, 2014 · 5 Posts

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 6, 2015

(Edited)

Seems like the S52 is very similar to a M52, so I don't

see why the swap would be all that expensive or
difficult to do.

I've done engine swaps on other vehicles before, i am

looking for E39 specific info in this case.

With an Engine, DME, EWS, key, and wiring harness

from an S52 donor car would seem to be a straight
forward swap no?

Or is there something I'm missing here? Please don't

hestitate to explain where the complications arise in
swapping an S52 from a donor E36 into a 1999 E39
with a M52TU.

Reply

sixpot_simon · Registered
Joined Sep 13, 2013 · 1,335 Posts

#6 · Nov 6, 2015

Any E39 swap where you cannot install the original

DME on the new motor leads to complications with
the EWS, body electronics, etc.

Check out this section of the wiki:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php/BMW_E39
#Engine_swaps_for_power_increase
Also, you could research if someone has installed an
S52 in an E46. Electronically, the E46 is very similar to
the E39.

If you go ahead with this, please let us know. We'd

love to learn how it can be done!

Check out the E39 wiki: http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php/BMW_E39

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GT42R · Registered
G Joined Nov 13, 2014 · 5 Posts

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 7, 2015

(Edited)

Ah, thank you very much for the clarification... Issues

with compatibility to the chassis-side electronics is
understandable,

No way to retrofit most of the existing M52TU

elecronics onto a S52? Between this and being able to
flash the DME should be able to run an S52 though,
no? although after reading the wiki, I can see there are
a lot of programming challenges indeed.

Inclined toward doing a budget turbo setup now on

the M52TU... for the cost of a 240whp S52 build an
existing M54 could do 280-300whp,

thanks guys,

Reply

sixpot_simon · Registered
Joined Sep 13, 2013 · 1,335 Posts

#8 · Nov 7, 2015

GT42R said: "

No way to retrofit most of the existing M52TU elecronics
onto a S52? Between this and being able to flash the DME
should be able to run an S52 though, no?

M52TU is dual vanos, S52 is single vanos. So I think

you'd run into problems there.

Check out this thread on M52TU upgrades:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?
t=617745
(by the way, all of the E46 328 models used the TU
version, which nicely avoids any confusion that you
get in E39 land between the M52 and M52TU)

Check out the E39 wiki: http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php/BMW_E39

Reply

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GT42R · Registered
G Joined Nov 13, 2014 · 5 Posts

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 7, 2015

sixpot_simon said: "

(by the way, all of the E46 328 models used the TU
version, which nicely avoids any confusion that you get in
E39 land between the M52 and M52TU)

Hmm... if that's the case, a S54 swap (E46 M3 engine)

is possibly a much more feasible swap in the E39?

Reply

GrannyApple · Nothing to read here...

Joined Apr 14, 2015 · 2,711 Posts

#10 · Nov 7, 2015 (Edited)

GT42R said: "

Hmm... if that's the case, a S54 swap (E46 M3 engine) is
possibly a much more feasible swap in the E39?

I think the s54 or any i6 that used a m54 or s54 used

the MS4x line of ecus so it should be plug and play
and a matter of a reflash but dont quote me on that i
havent researched enough into this

Problem with any engine swap with bmws is the

elctronics. dropping the engine is is the easy part,
finding how to make the stock system work is the
hardpart. You should search for m3 swaps in e46 as
that will help you out more since the e39 and e46 use
the same engines and engine managent systems.

Or a much easier way is to with a standalone unit.

Also for the cost of a m3 swap (engine, tranny,

driveshaft work, diff, engine accesories, wiring and
electronics, random harware and labor) you might be
able to get the same power for a tad less with a turbo
or supercharger. You have an iron block and forged
internals. But youll have to do research as Ive read
some things with the dual vanos engines and FI.

The Crappitto-Stockitto-Baseito-Soontobeturbito

**Word of Caution**
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