Budget (Fake) S54 for E39 530i?

Updated: 09 Dec 2024

Hi,

I know this is a E39 community and I’m asking about a M3 engine, but I’ve got this frankenstein idea that that hinges upon too many things at once to really be feasible to pull off.

I want to turn the M54 engine into a budget S54! (give or take ~48cc of displacement)

So, this whole mad scientist idea came from the fact that I wanted to take a head off a S54 and put it on the M54, but then I read about differences and powertrain/drivetrain limitations.

Calculations state that with a new bore diameter, keeping the stock stroke, it would become a ~3,194cc
(from 2,979cc) engine. The S54 is ~3,246cc.

Worries/Things needing to work in unison I don’t know that will or will not:
Head to block
Head gasket
Pistons
Cylinder sleeves
Compression
Crankshaft (strength concern)

However, all of these things rely upon compatibility between engines that I know are only similar by general architecture/name. Tell me, could this be possible, or is this a dream that only results in having to reach deeper into the pocket?

Any insight into this idea? Thanks!

Comments

If its torque and power you want go for a remap

Increased torque and power are things every car enthusiast would like, but I’m curious about the possibility of getting into my engine and doing something fun and unusual. Regardless, I’d have to get a remap, however, I wanted to have my own project I wanted to have fun with and bring to the community with steps on how to do it themselves if it can be done. Plus, it’d be a unique build unlike a supercharger/turbocharger build or S54/V8 swap.

As you said, it is not feasible. It will cost too much if you want to sort it out so it keeps it’s reliability.

M54B30 is a really good engine. You can get a supercharger and suitable tune for it for much lower than what you have here.

If you really want to tinker, I would recommend swapping V8 into it.

I understand fully getting that deep into an engine overhaul will result in reliability less than what would be seen from any unmodified car. I originally wanted to get a ESS Tuning supercharger, which was a twin screw supercharger, as that was probably the best forced induction product for the M54 engine I’ve seen on the market(not a fan of the centrifugal units). I didn’t see any turbo kits, so I wanted to keep away from universal kits that would end up being more annoying than fun and focused for the application. Power increases are always on the mind of car enthusiasts, and I also didn’t want a simple engine swap, but something I could do that would make it an incredibly unique build. Something I could be really proud of, getting my hands involved whenever possible. It’ll be a hell of a time pulling it off, but it will be something I will gladly call mine at the end of the day.

Fair play to ya good luck. Hope it goes well post updates

Thanks. It will take a few years because college isn’t cheap and takes a lot of consistent free time away. I’m definitely going to keep the plan in mind, though. I’ve already got a whole list of things I want to do to my car to the point of being more expensive than a new car, but I want to make a E39 the Autobahn speed demon it has the capability to be.