2.0 - 2.8 swap

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Carllo69

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Aug 30, 2023
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Hi guys
Been researching what’s needed to swap my z3 2.0 to a 2.8. Looking for some tips

does it matter what model the 2.8 comes out of?
Thanks for any help
 
If I’m right in thinking the 2.0 motor is twin vanos your donor 2.8 will also need to be twin vanos for an “easier” swap. @Lee

Tony.
 
Thanks thought so, just wasn’t sure if it matters what year or model bmw it comes out of. If I need the ecu with the new engine or use mine and recode it
 
If anyone can advise you Lee Can.

Tony.
 
If you're changing the engine I can't see it making a difference if you buy a single vanos or double vanos engine. You're going to need all the 2.8 engine electronics anyway.
 
I had a a e36 N reg 320 touring a few years ago which ran with the 2 litre ecu swapped for a 2.8 ecu and it ran no problem ,that was about 15 years ago seemingly it was a common mod in its day as the 2litre was more responsive ?
 
Different gearbox and diff fitted to the 2.8. The casing will probably be the same though.
 
The 2.8L twin VANOS is a straight bolt for bolt, connector for connector swap for your 2.0L engine. Use the 2.0L DME and code it for the 2.8L engine.

If your car is a manual transmission, you'll still be doing 60mph at 3,000 rpm. The 2.8L can handle a lower diff ratio and should cruise at around 2,500 rpm at 60 mph. Use www.RealOEM.com to find the 2.8L diff ratio.
 
Thanks for the help everyone, aslong as the gearbox bolts up and gets it going for abit I can sort that later
 
Hi.i am interested in D.R's comment (fitting 2.8 ecu to 2.0.)would that be a feasible swap on my 52tu.2ltr.(1999 z3).or more to the point is it worth it.what gains would I get..🙂
 
I first heard about it years ago from a mechanic at TB turbos in Lancaster I believe there was a thriving tuning scene in the Lancaster Morecambe area and he had a bit of a side line doing mods to ECUs i first had one fitted to an old e30 320 touring i had and it worked well and then i bought a E36 320 touring which i always thought in stock form was a bit flat so i took his advice and he fitted a 2.8 ECU to it and it was a lot more drivable but from what i can recall had a bit of a lumpy tick over
 
It will all fit, but the 2.0 uses what is basically 316i Compact running gear - driveshafts, small case diff and the Getrag 250G gearbox. But unless you drive like a loon you're unlikely to break anything.

Use a 2.8 twin vanos (TU) engine - they are a better engine, more readily available plus cheaper - and they both use Siemens MS42 ECU's. You can find a 2.8 ECU on its own and get the EWS removed so it just plugs in.You can use a 2.8 from an E46 328i, E39 528i or E38 728i, the last two requiring the Z3 sump to be fitted. All three will need the Z3 engine wiring loom fitting, a couple of hours work if that.

If you can't find a decent 2.8 TU, the 2.5 M52TU or M54 is a good alternative. The M52TU and M54 are near enough identical and you can use your 2.0 loom, manifolds and ancillaries on one.
 
I can vouch for the M52 engine; have this in our E36 convertible (1997 build). Car has done circa 160K miles and engine is good as gold, plenty of power and doesn't use a drop of oil between annual oil changes. :thumbsup:
 
I've been using a 318is getrag with an s50b32 for a good few years. Small case diff shafts, medium case lsd, A machined m20b25 flywheel and a sachs performance clutch. Its taken some hard road driving. Those boxes are tougher than people give them credit for. The small case diffs can be a weak point but tbf I used to run a 2.8 through an auto 316 small case 4.44 and it survived for long enough getting punished. I didnt use the zf box due to the 1.1 final, they are a stronger box but the ratio was daft with my 3.91 lsd and I don't want a new diff. Like Andy said, for road driving I'd have no issues using the getrag box and small case.
 
Andyboy said:
It will all fit, but the 2.0 uses what is basically 316i Compact running gear - driveshafts, small case diff and the Getrag 250G gearbox. But unless you drive like a loon you're unlikely to break anything.

Use a 2.8 twin vanos (TU) engine - they are a better engine, more readily available plus cheaper - and they both use Siemens MS42 ECU's. You can find a 2.8 ECU on its own and get the EWS removed so it just plugs in.You can use a 2.8 from an E46 328i, E39 528i or E38 728i, the last two requiring the Z3 sump to be fitted. All three will need the Z3 engine wiring loom fitting, a couple of hours work if that.

If you can't find a decent 2.8 TU, the 2.5 M52TU or M54 is a good alternative. The M52TU and M54 are near enough identical and you can use your 2.0 loom, manifolds and ancillaries on one.
Click to expand...

Awsum thanks for all that, what I’ve been looking for. It’s a 728 I’m looking at. So looms and sump over ? Exhaust manifolds don’t fit from my 2.0 then ? Thanks again
 
Hi again another question, will an auto e46 2.8 engine bolt up to my manual box ? Found a decent engine
 
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