My E36 S54 Swap Thread

[JJJames]

Does the CSL airbox require a different tune (ie alpha n)? Curious how the CSL box works on the S54

..been debating a CSL-style box for my S50B30EU but dont really want to run alphaN..

Also - I just read through the entire thread - awesome work.

[Steve30]

Originally Posted by JJJames

Does the CSL airbox require a different tune (ie alpha n)? Curious how the CSL box works on the S54

..been debating a CSL-style box for my S50B30EU but dont really want to run alphaN..

Also - I just read through the entire thread - awesome work.

This setup requires alpha-n. Why are you against running an alpha-n tune? They've been refined quite a bit. I don't think the OEM E46 M3 runs an alpha-n tune but it also has a few extra sensors that allow it to do this.

[JJJames]

Originally Posted by Steve30

This setup requires alpha-n. Why are you against running an alpha-n tune? They've been refined quite a bit. I don't think the OEM E46 M3 runs an alpha-n tune but it also has a few extra sensors that allow it to do this.

Well, I'm not against it necessarily, maybe wary is a better term. Its a daily-driven car that does a lot of miles in the summer, and I've heard the alpha-n tune for the S50B30+carbon is less reliable/stable, etc than the S54.

As I understand it, there has been a lot of effort put in to finding a decent alpha-n for the S54 (by shops like Evolve) but not so much for the old S50B30 (understandably). Did Stance do your tune?

[Steve30]

Originally Posted by JJJames

Well, I'm not against it necessarily, maybe wary is a better term. Its a daily-driven car that does a lot of miles in the summer, and I've heard the alpha-n tune for the S50B30+carbon is less reliable/stable, etc than the S54.

As I understand it, there has been a lot of effort put in to finding a decent alpha-n for the S54 (by shops like Evolve) but not so much for the old S50B30 (understandably). Did Stance do your tune?

My alpha-N tune is from Frank Smith at http://www.tuningtechfs.com/
I'm extremely pleased with the tune. Maybe you could contact him. I'm not sure if he tuned the euro engines but its worth a shot.

[SiR]

interior wot vid no loading.
who cares if there is snow. do eettt naow

[Steve30]

Finally after a year of research and contemplating I bit the bullet and ordered a conversion kit for my KW' V3's from HP Autowerks. Harold from HPA has been a great help with answering my questions and is very knowledgeable when it comes to suspensions. I went with their swift conversion kit. http://www.hpashop.com/KW-Swift-Spri...on-e36-e46.htm I've been wanting to ditch the progressive rear setup for a while now and ended up going with 560lb front and 728lb rear spring rates. Based on the wheel rate conversions for the E36 this is a pretty solid match in my opinion. I know some of you are going to say this is too much spring for the V3's but they should be fine for a little while. I'll eventually have the shocks custom valved to match the rates. I've heard nothing but good things from people who have switched to linear rear springs so I can't wait to do the conversion. Hopefully it will be ready for the spring cruise *fingers crossed*

[sb_600]

Originally Posted by Steve30

Finally after a year of research and contemplating I bit the bullet and ordered a conversion kit for my KW' V3's from HP Autowerks. Harold from HPA has been a great help with answering my questions and is very knowledgeable when it comes to suspensions. I went with their swift conversion kit. http://www.hpashop.com/KW-Swift-Spri...on-e36-e46.htm I've been wanting to ditch the progressive rear setup for a while now and ended up going with 560lb front and 728lb rear spring rates. Based on the wheel rate conversions for the E36 this is a pretty solid match in my opinion. I know some of you are going to say this is too much spring for the V3's but they should be fine for a little while. I'll eventually have the shocks custom valved to match the rates. I've heard nothing but good things from people who have switched to linear rear springs so I can't wait to do the conversion. Hopefully it will be ready for the spring cruise *fingers crossed*

Nice. I switched to a linear spring last year on my e36 (KW clubsports), but just bought the linear racing springs from KW - it was WAY cheaper than getting the swift kit

I went with an 800lb rear to go with the 675 lb front and so far so good (stock valving)!

[Steve30]

Good to know that the KW's can hold up with those spring rates even though the clubsports are valved a little differently. I'm sure the V3's can take the spring rates I've gone with but not a big deal if I have to re-valve them in a couple seasons. I did not know KW offered linear springs. I contacted them last year and they never responded..

The swift kit is actually quite nice as they supply thrust sheets and vorshlag nylon spring locators. I've done a ton of reading on these springs and they hold up really well and offer some unsprung weight reduction (its not much but hey I'll take anything I can get as its difficult to shave unsprung weight.

How does your car perform in terms of oversteer/understeer? I did quite a bit of reading regarding this and was worried about going too stiff in the rear which would cause traction and oversteer issues. I guess its more important to find the sweet spot between front to rear spring ratio. With my setup its about 10% more stiff in the front based on my wheel rate calculations. This should keep the rear end a bit more planted while reducing understeera bit (which these cars are setup for from factory).

Originally Posted by sb_600

Nice. I switched to a linear spring last year on my e36 (KW clubsports), but just bought the linear racing springs from KW - it was WAY cheaper than getting the swift kit

I went with an 800lb rear to go with the 675 lb front and so far so good (stock valving)!

[SiR]

Its almost June and we dont have any updated videos ?

[Steve30]

To be honest I haven't really driven the car too much... I actually just installed the new swift spring kit yesterday. I had some rubbing issues in the rear under full throttle but its solved now thanks to the swift kit. Now all I need to do is datalog and get the final tune from Frank Smith. I'll get some footage soon.

[hosty]

Love this build have any exterior photos? Couldn't seem to find many.

[Steve30]

Yeah, here are a few from Bimmercruise. I don;t really have many recent photos but I am planning on doing a photo shoot this spring.