Question about E36 m3 heads

[Foxster88]

So im thinking about tweaking my E36 m3, of corse, I just cant leave cars alone My big question is this, The Engin in my 99 E36 M3 is exacally the same to that of a E46 M3, the only real diffrence in the cars engins are the chip and the heads, dose anyone know if it is possible to do a swap and drop the E46 heads on my E36? i know if i really wanted to i could get BMW or a speciallty shop to do such a thing, but I was wondering if its a job that is a doable normal job, and not a speciallty heavy duty job that im going to have to bring in the big shops to do..

[CassiesMan]

Why swap heads? The cost of that would be rediculous, why not just boost it. There are a bunch of good kits on the market for boosting the E36s, and you can put some massive numbers down if you want to really get into tuning. For the cost of swapping a head, even if it were doable (I don't think it is, but don't quote me on that), you could quite easily purchase and install one of the many turbo or supercharger kits for the E36 M.

**EDIT**
Bah, ignore this part. I keep comparing the S54 to the S50. I keep forgeting that the US got the detuned S52. There is a few more differences than just the head and chip, but not as much difference as the S50 to the S54. Still, my advice holds. Securing the head from an E46 could prove difficult and overly expensive, I still say don't waste your money with that, go with boost.

[Foxster88]

Hmm alright, but even if i do go with boost.. How much is it going to cost to get the car down to a 11s or a 12s car? am i better off going with a E46?

[KamilMk]

Originally Posted by Foxster88

Hmm alright, but even if i do go with boost.. How much is it going to cost to get the car down to a 11s or a 12s car? am i better off going with a E46?

Most likely, but let me look into that a little more... My old E36 M3 was basically stock, besides a full exhaust, and a chip.
Didn't really get to tune it more because I sold it.

Coming to think of it now, the E46 might be your best bet... But like I said, let me look into that some more.

[CassiesMan]

As we talked about on AIM, 12s with an E36 is just a turbo away. And like I said, those S52s, if you have a decent tuner, can make some serious power. But working on high reving I6s is a world of difference than the SBC/BBCs you are used to. Technically, the E46 M with a damned good driver is capable of a 12 second run stock, but we are talking a 12.89-12.90 and that is depending on driver, track, car, wind conditions, if God is having a good day, etc...

I would stick with your E36, and look into some of the turbo kits I pointed out. 12s are definately within reach, you just have to want to spend the money.