[M-technik-3]

Company that tuned the M54 is releasing a N52 Supercharger. Wonder if it will be cheaper than converting to N54.

[Tambohamilton]

I'm willing to bet that an entire N54-engined car will be cheaper than the N52 SC kit. Which is better value is still subjective, but I know what I'd be doing.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

I'm willing to bet that an entire N54-engined car will be cheaper than the N52 SC kit. Which is better value is still subjective, but I know what I'd be doing.

Agree, the only thing that could prove difficult would be finding a manual gearbox N54 car that hasn't been beaten into oblivion by now.

[B58 parts]

I saw a clip of an n54 swapped into a Nissan the other day, that was neat, you never really see anyone actually use a BMW engine. He said he got the engine from the junkyard for $500.

The problem with swapping is the DME and emissions inspection, it might be hard to get all the monitors to say ready. For that reason I'm planning to supercharge my m54 manual e53 x5, which is basically the same as his wagon, just an SUV form. I'm looking at the same kit but don't really like it.

I have an m42b18 4 cylinder sitting here, I'd like to throw it on my lawn mower or something. Not sure what to do with this engine, you never see anyone swap these in.

[Tambohamilton]

Yeah, the durability of the N52 in NA guise is what gives it an edge. But still if you consider outright purchase price, it might look something like this:
N52 (SC); £3000 car, £1000 maintenance, £5000 SC kit, £1000 tuning etc = £10k
Vs
N54; £5000 car, £3000 maintenance, £500 tuning = £8500

Numbers out of thin air, clearly. And at those prices neither car would be low miles...

TBH I'm in the camp of just buy the N54 if you want big power. Keep the N52 cheap and reliable otherwise.

[Mani59]

The next episode of the E39 M5 series (part 3).

[M-technik-3]

Originally Posted by B58 parts

I saw a clip of an n54 swapped into a Nissan the other day, that was neat, you never really see anyone actually use a BMW engine. He said he got the engine from the junkyard for $500.

The problem with swapping is the DME and emissions inspection, it might be hard to get all the monitors to say ready. For that reason I'm planning to supercharge my m54 manual e53 x5, which is basically the same as his wagon, just an SUV form. I'm looking at the same kit but don't really like it.

I have an m42b18 4 cylinder sitting here, I'd like to throw it on my lawn mower or something. Not sure what to do with this engine, you never see anyone swap these in.

Off topic but M42B18 is great little 4 cylinder 16V with a forged crank. Downing Atlantic used to make a SC kit for them and E30 guys still like em, I have seen them swapped into E21 and even 2002's.