Also 1.5 qts every 3000 miles isn't excessive oil use for one of these engines. I'm using about 1 quart every 3000 miles and consider it acceptable for an engine with over 185k miles on it. Before I installed a new rear main seal, M5 clutch/pressure plate and Getrag 265 in my 533, I was using about 1 qt every 1500 miles. It turns out the rear main seal was responsible for most of that oil consumption.

If you want to go through the headaches of an engine swap, I'd install a later engine from an E34 525i. If you want to get real radical consider the engine and gearbox from an E36 M3. That would make you into an //M5 Kill'r.

Rich

I have been giving this idea some thought for a while now and would like some opinions. My transmission is scraping every gear but 1st and 5th so it's time for a new one. The cheapest i can find is $800. Also my engine is starting to burn some oil(about a quart and a half every 3000 miles). My thoughts are going to this. I have an old Chevy caprice classic with a good running 350 v-8 and auto tranny. Would it fit in my 83 533i without major problems. I know i would have to have the driveshaft altered and make motor mounts, but my big concerns are these:

1. is the transmission tunnel wide enough to hold the auto ( i believe it is a th-400)?

2. is the engine bay wide enough and deep enough? Length sould'nt be a problem (staight six to v-8)

3. How would i mount the power steering pump? (533i pump runs both steering as well as brakes)

4. How would i tackle the gauge problems? would the speedo still work because it reads off the rear end?

5. Has it ever been tried before?

Thanks in advance to all your thoughts or ideas. I am posting this seriously and don't won't any big arguements about how a BMW should stay BMW with out any other brand parts in it.