# E36 M3 build - details **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [October 28, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205 "2015-10-28T17:42:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/1 "2015-10-28T17:42:33Z")
So I’m going to build my old E36 M3 sedan over the winter. I need to decided the details… I’m not really into BMW engines and bimmerforum seems to be a pain in the ass to get info. A) Use the aluminum block 5.3L I have, making a forged lsx something with a t-56 6 speed manual. Might do a 5.7 bore with a 4.8 crank and try for 7500 rpms daily with AC. Either way an easy 400-500whp all day. B) Forged BMW engine with E46 6 speed swap. The first step would be a forged engine and 6 speed swap. I’m guessing this would be about 300whp… the plan here would be turbo in a year at 500+whp. My issue is I don’t know a lot about BMW engines… Should I use my 3.2L? Can I keep the factory crank and go forged connecting rods and pistons with a fresh head and stock cams? How is the S54 swap? Should I grab a S54 to build and swap in, selling off my 3.2? Ideas and thoughts!! Thanks guys ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/2 "2015-10-28T17:56:00Z")
Any reason for the m3 requirement? If you are ditching the engine wouldn’t it make more sense to start with a regular e30 and avoid the m tax where possible? I vote LS all day. I can’t wait to get to LS swap _something_​ edit: where is the poll? ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/3 "2015-10-28T18:17:44Z")
he already owns the e36 (not e30) which is currently an auto trans i vote LS ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/4 "2015-10-28T18:33:31Z")
Do whatever setup @turbociv had don’t ls swap it ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/5 "2015-10-28T19:35:45Z")
@turbociv kit is actually for sale on bimmer forum right now for like 3500 bucks. His kit requires ac delete tho, which I want to keep. I already own the e36 m3 as @XwalkerX stated. The car has high miles, but the body is great. Just want to make it an amazing summer daily. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/6 "2015-10-28T22:42:01Z")
Sorry. I can’t read sometimes. And yea, that makes sense I suppose. Or sell the m as is then buy a non-m to “bastardize” as some purists would say. ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/7 "2015-10-29T04:38:32Z")
I’m changing my response if its going to piss of BMW people just do the LSx swap. ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/8 "2015-10-29T04:40:16Z")
> [@LZ](#): > > Do whatever setup @**[turbociv](http://www.nyspeed.com/member.php?u=386)** had don’t ls swap it Agreed. 500rwhp is easy as pie for the engine he ran besides, it sounded fantastic and would save you a butt-load of cash. ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/9 "2015-10-29T05:09:19Z")
> [@GV1390](#): > > Agreed. > > 500rwhp is easy as pie for the engine he ran besides, it sounded fantastic and would save you a butt-load of cash. Not really, both directions will probably end up costing me about the same at the end. The only kicker would be that the turbo forged BMW route might actually end up making more power… but might be less reliable. ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 5:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/10 "2015-10-29T05:11:31Z")
Why not run the motor that is in there with studs/HG? find a used turbo setup and trans, done. ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 6:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/11 "2015-10-29T06:51:02Z")
mix it up and just do a 2JZ, no need to build for your needs. ![http://driftsafari.com/sites/default/files/resize/remote/5cf7d37753511b483860f1b32c47da35-640x426.jpg](http://driftsafari.com/sites/default/files/resize/remote/5cf7d37753511b483860f1b32c47da35-640x426.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![maxwell](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maxwell/32/6524_2.png) [@maxwell](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/maxwell)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 7:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/12 "2015-10-29T07:03:06Z")
If anyone has a problem with you ‘bastardizing’ an automatic, high mileage e36 m3 then they are just retarded and they can go fuck themselves. Do you… and post pics of your progress. ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 7:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/13 "2015-10-29T07:06:27Z")
Whatever you do don’t cheap out on the shift knob… ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 7:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/14 "2015-10-29T07:10:09Z")
LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL ---
**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 7:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/15 "2015-10-29T07:17:34Z")
I like the 2JZ option! Or turbociv setup. Only do LS if slamming a turbo on it. Stock internal 5.3 + turbo = 600-700rwhp no sweat. ---
**Author:** ![Shifty](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shifty/32/4959_2.png) [@Shifty](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shifty)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 8:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/16 "2015-10-29T08:34:25Z")
I agree > [@theblue](#): > > mix it up and just do a Coyote (Ti-VCT) , no need to build for your needs. ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 8:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/17 "2015-10-29T08:41:34Z")
Coyote is a cool motor but its huge next to a LSx which makes swapping it into shit expensive and the motor + PCM is $$$$ since its not in everything like the 4.8/5.3/6.0 is ---
**Author:** ![maxwell](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maxwell/32/6524_2.png) [@maxwell](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/maxwell)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 8:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/18 "2015-10-29T08:48:33Z")
coyote… meh ---
**Author:** ![Deathproof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@Deathproof](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Deathproof)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/19 "2015-10-29T15:18:15Z")
Plan B. Sell the bimmer. Buy the 53 Bel Air I6 manual trans that I am trying to take in on trade for a motorhome. Swap that. ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 3:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205/20 "2015-10-30T03:07:26Z")
Fire: ![http://www.cars-on-line.com/photo/52700/55chev52727-7.jpg](http://www.cars-on-line.com/photo/52700/55chev52727-7.jpg) ![http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=imgres&cd=&ved=0CAYQjBwwAGoVChMIisu4tPnpyAIVBWg-Ch384go0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fimage.superchevy.com%2Ff%2F42157884%2Bw640%2Bh426%2Bq80%2Bre0%2Bcr1%2Bar0%2Bst0%2F1209chp-08-o-%252B1955-chevrolet-bel-air%252Bfront-passenger-side.jpg&psig=AFQjCNFOfWUfH9DNamPYEoiIiNPwWewYPg&ust=1446286018957309](http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=imgres&cd=&ved=0CAYQjBwwAGoVChMIisu4tPnpyAIVBWg-Ch384go0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fimage.superchevy.com%2Ff%2F42157884%2Bw640%2Bh426%2Bq80%2Bre0%2Bcr1%2Bar0%2Bst0%2F1209chp-08-o-%252B1955-chevrolet-bel-air%252Bfront-passenger-side.jpg&psig=AFQjCNFOfWUfH9DNamPYEoiIiNPwWewYPg&ust=1446286018957309) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e36-m3-build-details/273205.md?page=2)