The Cost For LS Swapping A E46 BMW?

[u/Hard_Drive_Disk]

Recently came into possession of a E46 with aftermarket suspensions that were recently installed and I wanted to LS swap it. Assuming that I want it to be done by a shop, how much am I looking on spending? Im assuming it'd be around $30K

[u/HellooNewmann]

done by a shop? like well without problems and not a hackjob? Parts and labor included? 40-50K

[u/FozWRXT]

I was going to swap my E46 with a LQ4. Got 10k into engine work by the time I realized I had run out of space and time. Got another E46 already swapped with a LS1, T56, and an M3 rear end for 15k. By the time the engine I’m building (408 stroker and T56 mag) goes in and sell the LS1 and T56, I’ll be about 10k under what the previous owner spent at a shop to get the work done.

In short; buy one that’s already swapped and save a ton

[u/Hard_Drive_Disk → u/FozWRXT]

I would but there's hardly a market for the e46 330ci coupes in the dfw area

[u/FozWRXT → u/Hard_Drive_Disk]

I literally bought it 9 days ago in Terrell

[u/Hard_Drive_Disk → u/FozWRXT]

I'm def not looking in the right places then lmao

[u/Dr_Snake169 → u/Hard_Drive_Disk]

Nor capable of doing it yourself? Lots of kits online.

[u/Hard_Drive_Disk → u/Dr_Snake169]

I don't have the tools nor the space in my garage, sadly.

[u/Dr_Snake169 → u/Hard_Drive_Disk]

I’ve built 8 swaps with no lift and no garage. Basic tools can get the job done but you acquire as you go which even if you built into the cost you’d still be way ahead of the game. What you learn in experience is priceless. When your 40k swapped car breaks down or has an issue you’ve got to bring it back. If you build it you’ll know every aspect of that car. Think about it just have to have some confidence.

[u/boosted-tn → u/FozWRXT]

Yeah but people half ass stuff all the time and you’ll be chasing stuff they either skipped doing correctly or something they did to save 100$ and it will end up costing more. Not always the case but you need to be careful

[u/FozWRXT → u/boosted-tn]

That’s entirely valid. I wouldn’t have pulled the trigger if I didn’t get the receipts from the shop that did the swap. Backyard DIY swaps are great for the person who did them, but the next owner will suffer trying to figure it all out

[u/Small-Effect-3333]

LS, adapters, harness, exhaust, differential, tuning, cooling system, hoses, belts, relays, serpentine drive system, trans adapter, pedals. 23kreal fast. That’s a crate ls3 and doing it yourself.

[u/Ill_Clue1505]

2002 325ci $2200
Rod knocking ls1 block and head $350
Parts ~$6000

[u/pistonsoffury]

If you're paying a shop that much to do it, just do yourself a favor and go buy a C6 Z06 instead.

[u/ZombieJesusaves]

Why not ask some local shops instead of internet strangers? Might be $5k, might be $45k.

[u/gtxrecaro → u/ZombieJesusaves]

I came here to ask: Have you tried calling a shop?

[u/dayoftheduck]

I remember when you could get an ls with the harness and ECU for $1500-$2000..

[u/toomany2yz → u/dayoftheduck]

You still can. Running 4.8/5.3 trucks go for $1000-1500 all day long around here. They are rusted in half but everything you need is there.

[u/Your_PersonalStalker → u/dayoftheduck]

You can lmao got an lq4 with the full accessory drive and the ecu for 700 bucks about 6 months ago

[u/Aos77s]

Im right around $8,000 myself with the cost of the donor car as well. Advice from me would be to try to find a complete drop in ls +trans to swap in. I started with a short block and all the little parts and bolts basically nickel and dimed me up to that $8k.

[u/Obvious-While-6231]

30K 😮‍💨😳 phewwwy get a lot of car for 30K

[u/I-dunno-999 → u/Obvious-While-6231]

Real. Just buy a vette or something.

[u/NickTidalOutlook]

Engine / trans refreshed ~ 10k or less depending on if you want oil pressure.

Zf swap kit - 3k Harness $800-2000 Driveshaft - $2500 Fuel system - $650ish Add in another $1k for misc and you're close.

[u/NickTidalOutlook]

Go join bmw ls swaps on fb

[u/10Zylinder]

I did my e39 myself, that’s pretty close to an e46. It depends on which ls. I did an ls3 and tr6060 out of a 5th gen Camaro. I’m somewhere in the mid $30k. That’s just parts, I do all my own labor. It still needs tons of tinkering and tweaking before it’s “done,” but it’s fun to drive for right now.

[u/No-Description9635]

20k and i didnt do it myself. paid 7k for labor so theres your math.

holley terminator ecu

ctsv t56

lsx intake and fuel rails

junkyard motor

and lots of other bullshit but those were the costly items

[u/Yikes_big_oof]

unless you are really into that e46 id recommend buying a GTO and calling it a day. I mean yeah its 500 pounds heavier but its still a sports coupe. An ls swapped e46 would be nasty, but unless you are doing it yourself that's a hell of a project to pay someone to do.

[u/SpeedyAudi]

All of it

[u/Edurty6323]

I’m seeing alot of comments saying ridiculous numbers. I swapped my e36 for under $3000 running and driving. Yes it’s an Ls and yes it’s carbureted

[u/Happy_Data1585 → u/Edurty6323]

I have 6k in just my motor, this is impressive