S54 CSL Engine Transplant

nigelonich · 03-05-2011, 11:33 PM

Looking for some technical help guys if you have it.

Planing a Winter (or several months after that) project and 'in principle' its a E46 CSL engine into an E30 M3. After surfing a bit I think a manual e46 box would be the best idea as the flappy paddles look hard to integrate so that leaves the engine. I want to keep it as 'BMW' as possible.

What parts would be esential to remove from the donor as im not sure what items too make sure and get from a CSL and what items i can pick up from a stock E46m3. The obvious are engine with anciliaries, loom, ecu, intake and exhaust manifolds but does the airbox need a specific ecu and is the CSL loom a must to rob off a donor?

Even if someone found a 'good' link to help me it would be appriciated. There are plenty people talking about s54 trasplants but not so many about the transplant of the CSL variant.

I had an E30 M3 a few years back and i liked everything about the car apart from feeling it was a bit slow all the time so I fancied seeing if we could do something about that.

Nigel

**shimmy** · 03-05-2011, 11:40 PM

Others will know beter than me for sure but I'm guessing best to take the CSL S54 lump, ignition and engine ECU and then drop the SMG to a manual box if you really want to. I think this would make life the easiest.

I guess as many standard ancillaries as will fit at least then you know the cooling etc will suit the car if the air flow is there, but I'm guessing you'll be up against space problems.

From personal experience if you get hold of motor that has done north f 40k miles I would factor in a new HG before you start.

Sounds like a great plan and will sound awesome.

Yanto · 03-05-2011, 11:56 PM

Sounds like a thread for the Gorilla

**glendog74** · 03-05-2011, 11:59 PM

Welcome Nige

Member 'The Gorilla' has some knowledge of what you seek. I'm sure he'll add some sound advice soon or try sending him a PM.

**glendog74** · 03-05-2011, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yanto

Sounds like a thread for the Gorilla

Tw*t! Beat me to it

Yanto · 04-05-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glendog74

Tw*t! Beat me to it

Keep up at the back, short stuff

**glendog74** · 04-05-2011, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yanto

Keep up at the back, short stuff

What's Steve got to do with this?

Rutkowski · 04-05-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigelonich

Looking for some technical help guys if you have it.

Planing a Winter (or several months after that) project and 'in principle' its a E46 CSL engine into an E30 M3. After surfing a bit I think a manual e46 box would be the best idea as the flappy paddles look hard to integrate so that leaves the engine. I want to keep it as 'BMW' as possible.

What parts would be esential to remove from the donor as im not sure what items too make sure and get from a CSL and what items i can pick up from a stock E46m3. The obvious are engine with anciliaries, loom, ecu, intake and exhaust manifolds but does the airbox need a specific ecu and is the CSL loom a must to rob off a donor?

Even if someone found a 'good' link to help me it would be appriciated. There are plenty people talking about s54 trasplants but not so many about the transplant of the CSL variant.

I had an E30 M3 a few years back and i liked everything about the car apart from feeling it was a bit slow all the time so I fancied seeing if we could do something about that.

Nigel

Engine + anncilaries, Carbon fibre CSL airbox, wiring loom, ignition + key, ECU.

The latter is essential if you want the added security of keeping the engine immobiliser...

IMHO - get a good S54, install Schricks 288 / 280 + good remap, 2005 + M3 manifolds or Supersprint ones if budget allows and you're ready to go.

I tried the CSL route and it is very expensive with little benefit over a stock M3. Where CSL shines is not the power advantage but handling. Now that's where that magic is at. A balanced weight reduction combined with quality suspension and brakes.

If you're interested, pm me as i am parting out my M3.

By the way - the SMG isn't that hard to integrate... about as hard as doing an engine transplant.

plug · 04-05-2011, 09:23 AM

A 3.2 straight 6 in an E30, will it fit? They sure are a long engine.
Off topic a bit but how are them engines in terms of reliability, the S54's?

**shimmy** · 04-05-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plug

A 3.2 straight 6 in an E30, will it fit? They sure are a long engine.
Off topic a bit but how are them engines in terms of reliability, the S54's?

Faultless.

03-05-2011, 11:33 PM	#1
nigelonich Mode S1 - Starting Out Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 27 Casino cash: $399	S54 CSL Engine Transplant Looking for some technical help guys if you have it. Planing a Winter (or several months after that) project and 'in principle' its a E46 CSL engine into an E30 M3. After surfing a bit I think a manual e46 box would be the best idea as the flappy paddles look hard to integrate so that leaves the engine. I want to keep it as 'BMW' as possible. What parts would be esential to remove from the donor as im not sure what items too make sure and get from a CSL and what items i can pick up from a stock E46m3. The obvious are engine with anciliaries, loom, ecu, intake and exhaust manifolds but does the airbox need a specific ecu and is the CSL loom a must to rob off a donor? Even if someone found a 'good' link to help me it would be appriciated. There are plenty people talking about s54 trasplants but not so many about the transplant of the CSL variant. I had an E30 M3 a few years back and i liked everything about the car apart from feeling it was a bit slow all the time so I fancied seeing if we could do something about that. Nigel

03-05-2011, 11:40 PM	#2
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,646 Casino cash: $43909	Others will know beter than me for sure but I'm guessing best to take the CSL S54 lump, ignition and engine ECU and then drop the SMG to a manual box if you really want to. I think this would make life the easiest. I guess as many standard ancillaries as will fit at least then you know the cooling etc will suit the car if the air flow is there, but I'm guessing you'll be up against space problems. From personal experience if you get hold of motor that has done north f 40k miles I would factor in a new HG before you start. Sounds like a great plan and will sound awesome. __________________ .

03-05-2011, 11:59 PM	#4
glendog74 CSL Register Uber-poster! Tetris Champion! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornwall Posts: 8,861 Casino cash: $32299	Welcome Nige Member 'The Gorilla' has some knowledge of what you seek. I'm sure he'll add some sound advice soon or try sending him a PM. __________________ Cha'mone Mother F**ker!

04-05-2011, 09:23 AM	#9
plug S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 40 Casino cash: $2843	A 3.2 straight 6 in an E30, will it fit? They sure are a long engine. Off topic a bit but how are them engines in terms of reliability, the S54's? __________________ No animals were hurt in the making of this signature.

03-05-2011, 11:56 PM	#3
Yanto CSL Register Uber-poster! Moon Lander Champion! Ragdoll Master Champion! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Docklands, London Posts: 5,931 Casino cash: $40036	Sounds like a thread for the Gorilla