Engine swap from 2.0i to 3.0Si (facelift) advice?

[JINGLE]

Hi all, not been on the forum much lately but I have a 2008 2.0i E85 in alpine white and I’ve always wanted more power, and the simple “buy another car” responses I always get isn’t an option as I want to stay with alpine white and they are rare (not to mention the amount of work I’ve put in to get mine looking how I want)

Long story short my piston rings are knackered on my current N46 2.0i engine so looking to replace the engine and looking into the option of upgrading the engine at the same time to the N52 3.0Si. Plan is to get a donor car and swap everything over that’s needed.

Has anybody done this, have any advice about this, and any rough idea about the upgrade in general?!

Thanks in advance!

Couple of photos of my 2.0i back when it worked

 

[mr.tourette]

no idea but know the effort you have put into that car so hopefully you will get it sorted, i guess speaking to a good indi may help.. maybe reach out to bowser as being a long time forum guy with his own indi garage he would probably be best placed to give solid advice

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

First sticking point at the moment... finding a 3.0si.
I'm certainly no mechanic, but it's more than just the engine: associated ECU gubbins; gearbox; diff; brakes; and plenty of little differences too no doubt. Sounds like a massive job indeed. Good luck - you might need it!

PS - love the white!

 

[Smartbear]

I think it’s going to be far easier & financially viable finding a 3.0si & spraying it white, you can transfer all your special parts over from the 2litre
Then sell off any remaining parts to recoup some of the cost
Rob

 

[kis]

I’d be tempted to buy a 3.0si and swap all the exterior and interior over? I’m sure that’s a better way of doing it. Particularly if you can track down a cosmetically battered one with low miles... This will save you having to piece the car together from multiple 2nd hand parts. It will also save a massive amount of time spent troubleshooting... as there are sure to be problems!

Also I’m sure the insurance implications of doing an engine swap will be financially taxing year on year as well rather than a “stock 3.0si” with some aftermarket cosmetic upgrades (your white body swapped panels like m bumper, etc).

That is unless you’re going to Chuck in something different? S54 or S85? That would be more unique and worthy of the time and financial implications of an engine swap!

Be sure to keep us posted!

 

[ARCS]

I think it’s going to be far easier & financially viable finding a 3.0si & spraying it white, you can transfer all your special parts over from the 2litre
Then sell off any remaining parts to recoup some of the cost
Rob

+1 on this. It really is a cracking looking zed with a lot of work put into it, but the effort and headaches of swapping an engine into it would deter me. I'd be looking for an Si and respraying it. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

[skelters]

Buy a 3.0 si and top being daft.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Smartbear wrote: ↑Sat Jan 30, 2021 4:41 pm
I think it’s going to be far easier & financially viable finding a 3.0si & spraying it white, you can transfer all your special parts over from the 2litre
Then sell off any remaining parts to recoup some of the cost
Rob
+1 on this. It really is a cracking looking zed with a lot of work put into it, but the effort and headaches of swapping an engine into it would deter me. I'd be looking for an Si and respraying it. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

I was thinking the same. That has to be a cheaper option than buying a 3.0Si and swapping all the running gear into your car, which will then be very modified rather than being a repainted 3.0Si with a few mods.

Although seeing as only 695 3.0Si Roadsters were registered in the UK even that may be challenging (only 1 seems to have been Alpine White)!

Sorry to hear about your engine woes, but good luck whatever you decide to do.

 

[JINGLE]

Yep, only 1 White Z4MR and only 1 white 3.0Si (manual) so that’s pretty much a no go looking for them.

If I was to simply buy another 3.0Si (lets say £7k for arguments sake) then swap my bits over, I would be left with a standard broken 2.0 worth next to nothing.

If I can get an engine swapped in for a few thousand I still have a factory white Z4 and finally get the power I’ve always wanted. Obviously that’s assuming the swap goes ok and doesn’t run into any major problems etc. I only found out my current engine has piston ring issues so it’s early stages and just looking into options hence the post.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

If I was to simply buy another 3.0Si (lets say £7k for arguments sake) then swap my bits over, I would be left with a standard broken 2.0 worth next to nothing.

You'd be able to part out the new 3.0 parts and any/all the 2.0 parts. Would probably break even, if you don't get someone who knows what they are doing with the swap, you'll be in a much worse place. Remember the JE saga?

 

[Mr Tidy]

If I can get an engine swapped in for a few thousand I still have a factory white Z4 and finally get the power I’ve always wanted. Obviously that’s assuming the swap goes ok and doesn’t run into any major problems etc. I only found out my current engine has piston ring issues so it’s early stages and just looking into options hence the post.

I guess that's another way of looking at it. In an ideal world you'd find a 3.0Si that has been written off to use is as a donor so you get all the bits you'd need, engine, box, rear end, brakes, etc. and then sell any bits you don't need.

I know someone on here bought a written off E86 to get an engine for his track day 130i then sold the M-Sport seats, wheels (to me ), CD changer, etc. so overall it may not have worked out too expensive a project.

 

[Haro]

Yep, only 1 White Z4MR and only 1 white 3.0Si (manual) so that’s pretty much a no go looking for them.

If I was to simply buy another 3.0Si (lets say £7k for arguments sake) then swap my bits over, I would be left with a standard broken 2.0 worth next to nothing.

If I can get an engine swapped in for a few thousand I still have a factory white Z4 and finally get the power I’ve always wanted. Obviously that’s assuming the swap goes ok and doesn’t run into any major problems etc. I only found out my current engine has piston ring issues so it’s early stages and just looking into options hence the post.

Always remember that you paid for the car in the first place, so add in the cost of buying the engine, electrics, etc, then converting it which won't be without time consuming problems and if you can't do it yourself then your paying for the privilege. The cost of the mods you have already done and then the realistic amount a 2.0 with a 3.0 engine will fetch and you lose the amount you have spent and then some. Been there done that in the past. I would get a definitive diagnosis on the rings and if they are shot then you will still be better getting that sorted as a bare or half engine N46 is way cheaper than a 3.0 N52 with everything attached. Putting it back to standard, selling and then buying a 3.0 you would lose less and gain more when selling on in the future. It's tough but it is the best way.

 

[JINGLE]

If I was to simply buy another 3.0Si (lets say £7k for arguments sake) then swap my bits over, I would be left with a standard broken 2.0 worth next to nothing.

You'd be able to part out the new 3.0 parts and any/all the 2.0 parts. Would probably break even, if you don't get someone who knows what they are doing with the swap, you'll be in a much worse place. Remember the JE saga?

Yep I remember that fully!

 

[JINGLE]

Yep, only 1 White Z4MR and only 1 white 3.0Si (manual) so that’s pretty much a no go looking for them.

If I was to simply buy another 3.0Si (lets say £7k for arguments sake) then swap my bits over, I would be left with a standard broken 2.0 worth next to nothing.

If I can get an engine swapped in for a few thousand I still have a factory white Z4 and finally get the power I’ve always wanted. Obviously that’s assuming the swap goes ok and doesn’t run into any major problems etc. I only found out my current engine has piston ring issues so it’s early stages and just looking into options hence the post.

Always remember that you paid for the car in the first place, so add in the cost of buying the engine, electrics, etc, then converting it which won't be without time consuming problems and if you can't do it yourself then your paying for the privilege. The cost of the mods you have already done and then the realistic amount a 2.0 with a 3.0 engine will fetch and you lose the amount you have spent and then some. Been there done that in the past. I would get a definitive diagnosis on the rings and if they are shot then you will still be better getting that sorted as a bare or half engine N46 is way cheaper than a 3.0 N52 with everything attached. Putting it back to standard, selling and then buying a 3.0 you would lose less and gain more when selling on in the future. It's tough but it is the best way.

What you’re saying is completely right I know, I don’t plan on ever getting rid tbh, it’s a 2nd car and fully aware the amount of money I’ve already spent on it I’ll never get even half back, ideal world I would just buy another 3.0Si car in white but there just isn’t any come up for sale, and a decent spray job on any other colour would already add a massive chunk to the cost or whatever car I bought which again is money I’ll never get back if I was looking at it resale wise.
I know it seems backwards to most but it’s probably the route I’ll go. The last couple of months I’ve been thinking of getting a white coupe next time 1 comes up for sale but I would miss the roof down in summer (although the white coupe look is amazing!)

 

[Nash3vans]

If the engine in my 2.5 auto ever goes pop, it’s getting a e92 335i engine squashed under the bonnet, no question about it. Problem is my 2.5 likes getting pushed so I may be waiting a while :x I’ve spent money, more than I should on my car but I love it, love the fact it’s different, unique in a way. Do what you need to do. Have fun doing it

 

[sjj84]

I'd think an engine swapped car would be more to insure and sell on than a normal one too. Definitely better off buying a si and getting it painted or wrapped if white is what you want. Or going all out and putting something bonkers in it.

 

[enuff_zed]

Is there the option of a like for like replacement engine then tweak it?
Turbo? Supercharger? New cams etc? Overbore the one you have?
Would be a more unique solution, but I have no idea if it can be done or what is out there for these engines?

 

[Smartbear]

The other option is to just get new piston rings fitted, what symptoms were you getting with your car? :?
Rob

 

[enuff_zed]

The other option is to just get new piston rings fitted, what symptoms were you getting with your car? :?
Rob

I think he's failing to achieve his usual terminal velocity up Attleborough High Street.

 

[Mister T]

If you're going to all the trouble of swapping the engine at least fit a decent one! 1JZ would be an easy swap and give you 400hp with some basic bolt on parts.