Greetings to all on the forum from the United States!
I joined this forum in hopes of attaining information regarding swapping a V10 from an E60 M5 or a V10 equipped M6 in to my (US Spec; Left hand drive) 2003 BMW E46 M3. I have attained some details from the Speedhunters.com article about Phil Morrison's E46 M3 and some more details from a thread on this forum and am still hoping to speak with Mr. Morrison over messages online regarding some even more finite details regarding his swap; For instance:
What exactly was done to the steering column as "extra links were added"? Was this only necessary as a result of running the factory E60 M5 exhaust manifolds (meaning would aftermarket or custom headers clear the steering column?
Was the Mazda RX7 steering rack absolutely necessary or would the factory rack clear if you were to make completely new engine mounts which allowed the engine to sit a little "high" in the engine bay for the sake of keeping the factory steering rack? If this is unavoidable; What generation and year(s) RX7s are compatible and / or what needs done to the Mazda RX7 steering rack for it to bolt to the chassis?
(Depending on how the engine is mounted); How much room is available at the bulkhead / firewall? Is any chopping or pounding of the firewall necessary?
I realize some answers might be different for left hand drive and I realize this swap is an expensive swap. I have already found several engines around $6,000.00 to $8,000.00 USD with exhaust manifolds and all associated ancillaries attached including wiring harness. $6,000.00 is the "going rate" for a replacement S54 in the states so they're almost equal in price.
I appreciate the work you did on your E46 M3 and wish you years of enjoyment from the chassis! I am wanting to do the swap keeping a factory BMW E60 M5 or M6 ECU, wiring harness, instrument cluster and possibly retain SMG with the 7 speed SMG 3 transmission as the units I have found are very affordable ($1,300.00 with ancillaries!) so mine will vary from yours.
Thank you for your time if you are reading / have hopefully read this message. It is almost impossible to attain ANY information about the swap from any one in the states as $20,000.00 is the "starting rate" (without an engine) to "get the swap underway" and I'm sorry but an E60 M5 can be had for $25,000.00 so that seems a little exorbitant (without an engine).
Anyway; Greetings to all on the forum!
Be well and God Bless!
- Nick
P.S: I am willing to disclose an email address privately if it would be easier to inform me than publicizing any information you do not wish to be made public and I would respect the privacy of any such knowledge.
I joined this forum in hopes of attaining information regarding swapping a V10 from an E60 M5 or a V10 equipped M6 in to my (US Spec; Left hand drive) 2003 BMW E46 M3. I have attained some details from the Speedhunters.com article about Phil Morrison's E46 M3 and some more details from a thread on this forum and am still hoping to speak with Mr. Morrison over messages online regarding some even more finite details regarding his swap; For instance:
What exactly was done to the steering column as "extra links were added"? Was this only necessary as a result of running the factory E60 M5 exhaust manifolds (meaning would aftermarket or custom headers clear the steering column?
Was the Mazda RX7 steering rack absolutely necessary or would the factory rack clear if you were to make completely new engine mounts which allowed the engine to sit a little "high" in the engine bay for the sake of keeping the factory steering rack? If this is unavoidable; What generation and year(s) RX7s are compatible and / or what needs done to the Mazda RX7 steering rack for it to bolt to the chassis?
(Depending on how the engine is mounted); How much room is available at the bulkhead / firewall? Is any chopping or pounding of the firewall necessary?
I realize some answers might be different for left hand drive and I realize this swap is an expensive swap. I have already found several engines around $6,000.00 to $8,000.00 USD with exhaust manifolds and all associated ancillaries attached including wiring harness. $6,000.00 is the "going rate" for a replacement S54 in the states so they're almost equal in price.
I appreciate the work you did on your E46 M3 and wish you years of enjoyment from the chassis! I am wanting to do the swap keeping a factory BMW E60 M5 or M6 ECU, wiring harness, instrument cluster and possibly retain SMG with the 7 speed SMG 3 transmission as the units I have found are very affordable ($1,300.00 with ancillaries!) so mine will vary from yours.
Thank you for your time if you are reading / have hopefully read this message. It is almost impossible to attain ANY information about the swap from any one in the states as $20,000.00 is the "starting rate" (without an engine) to "get the swap underway" and I'm sorry but an E60 M5 can be had for $25,000.00 so that seems a little exorbitant (without an engine).
Anyway; Greetings to all on the forum!
Be well and God Bless!
- Nick
P.S: I am willing to disclose an email address privately if it would be easier to inform me than publicizing any information you do not wish to be made public and I would respect the privacy of any such knowledge.