Think again. . . (archive)

I had actually contemplated this at one point for many reasons. First is that you get bolt-on ~300hp from the Euro M5 engine. Second is that that 300hp gives you a LOT of room for improvement (rebuild for a turbo or rebuild for naturally aspirated 400 - 450+ hp) if you want to go racing (or drive a wicked-fast car that idles like crap and guzzles gas like your mother-in-law on the egg nog at Christmas).

I discussed this through e-mail, earlier in December, with someone on this board, but, for the life of me, I can't remember who. Anyway, he helped me shed some light on the subject.

There's just one teensy weensy little problem with dropping a Euro e34 M5 engine in your e28. THE DAMN ENGINE WILL COST YOU MORE THAN YOUR CAR IS WORTH!! Think in the neighbor hood of $5,000+. Yikes! Think you can just buy an e34 M5 and part it out or something? First, that would be a STUPID thing to do to such an amazing car, and second, it'll run you about $15k - $20k+ just to buy the car.

So, what would a power-hungry animal's other option be? How 'bout grabbing a 745i and stealing ITS engine? It'll cost you about $3k, give or take, to get the car, and you can even use a few of the parts. The rest, just sell 'em.

I see on the e23 board that 300+ hp from that engine is just a modified wastegate away. Then, you can go up from there with other mods (lower compression, higher boost, etc).

I believe Bob from RA BMW -- who posts here regularly -- is in the process of the conversion, as are others. Maybe they can help you out if you need more answers.

Hope this helps,
Brad Couvillon
'87 528e

This might have been covered before, but I couldn't find the answer in the archives.

I'm under the impression that putting an E28 M5 engine into an E28 535i is (more or less) plug-n-play, and also that putting the E34 M30 3.5L engine into an E28 535i is pretty no-sweat too (provided you have the right year so that the mounting bolts line up). So my question is, has anyone done an E34 M5 motor into an E28 535i - or has anyone looked into it and can give some info as to viability? Would it meet up to an E28 535i 5-speed tranny ok, or are there other issues?

Thanks much,

Azure
'86 US 535i,
'77 Euro 520i former owner.

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