Part 36: The Complete BMW E30 N54 Engine Swap FINALE In 14 Minutes!

WOW! We’ve come a long way! But couldn’t have done it without our partners!
www.wolfetechf... Thank you for working with me to develop custom engine and trans bracket set for the E30 N54 application. Click here everyone to buy your own set!
www.wheelandco... You have worked very hard to develop a one of a kind fan module that takes a CAN signal and turns it into a PWM output to control a cooling fan efficiently. Bravo!!!!
www.kasselperf... Thank you for your Amazing CAS Delete and Powerful Tune to the N54 Engine! You have proven to be a leader in this market!
www.garagistic... Thank you for always being a proponent of our work for us, and the enthusiast community. Click here for any and all Poly Products and Engine Swap Stuff!
catuned.com/ So easy to work with and for when partnering up for this build. The E30 has some amazing coilers and a custom front sway bar specifically designed for an E36 M3. Click here for all suspension needs!
…and my friends Jimmy IG/YT @Eurogarbagegarage, DetailzUsedCars.com. Look them up guys, they are good people! Ryan and Ralph you guys are some quality friends, BML for being the “spark” to the video and my absolutely beautiful, amazing, independent, strong and capable LOML wife, Jess for help with the film and drive. I couldn’t have gone this far without the very generous time you gave to me to allow me to achieve my dreams every day that passes…
04:28 E30 N54 Guide coming out on August 20th, 2020 for automatic download on the new site @ www.garageaholic.build !!!
TODAY!!! We finally unveil the finale episode to our E30 N54 Build, which is essentially a 1988 BMW 320i imported from Germany to the states. An incredibly underpowered definition of a grocery getter, given that the grocery isn’t up on too steep of a steep hill. We’ve transformed this meek vehicular into a monster of a unique engine swapped vintage BMW with modern touches. The turbo sound, the untouched classic look and E30 character flaws, combined with the power and feel make this now the ultimate driving machine. Enjoy and share. My name is Frank Macaluso and I built this car with my own 2 hands over the course of 9 enjoyable months.
Want to know how I did it? Just see the playlist for every excruciating detail!
• BMW E30 N54 Engine Swap
My loyal customer, AK, you'd better enjoy this E30 - You deserve it, and it's one of a kind!! Thank you for everything that you do and your service out in Afghanistan over the last 10 months. Your service is most appreciated in the Army for this country. Thank you.
Here are the stats on the car:
1988 BMW 320i Touring Grey Market E30
Full M-Tech 2 body kit
17x7.5 Alpina Reps on 205/45/17's
N54B30 Engine from 2008 E90 353hp/395tq dyno
Converted to MSD81 with Kassel Performance CASless Tune!
GS6-53BZ 6 speed Trans
N54 Maintenance Items $2200
17T Turbos $1100
Custom Driveshaft $600
335is Clutch Kit 450tq $450
Garagistic Poly Engine/Trans & All Suspension 80 Bushings $300
Wolfetechfab Custom Engine/Trans Positioning Brackets into E30 $360
CATuned Full Coilover Suspension $1200
E30 M3 Front Sway Bar with Brackets $250
High Flow Intercooler with 2.5” Tubing Kit $350
VRSF Downpipes Custom $300
Z3M Radiator & Plumbing $350
Stainless Steel Exhaust with Magnaflow Muffler$800
PWM Controlled SPAL Fan provided by Wheelandconsulting
Items still needed
Paintjob
Wheels/Tires Upgrade
Big Brakes
Air Conditioning Retrofit
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For more information about what I do and who I am, visit:
www.garageaholic.build
E36 N54 Swap Guides available for purchase!
E30 N54 Coming August 20th, 2020!!
garageaholic.b...

[@4amigofilms51]

As a three year owner of an N54 I have watched my fair share of videos, and this sir is by far the best one yet.

[@BerlinThunder1]

You had me with "You lose another 10mm socket" 😄 Congrats Frank. Stunning finale.

[@Garageaholic]

Glad you enjoyed it Thanks for always being around!

[@M14GARAGE]

You said it before me bro😂😂

[@Garageaholic]

Wedged in between your subframe and the steering rack---that whole time!

[@Cloverleaf7642]

Quality, quality, quality! What an amazing achievement. Nothing hidden, no getting a buddy in to help when the going gets tough, Frank, you are the man!

[@Garageaholic]

Wow John thank you!!!

[@MattyMattsBavarianBuilds]

Congrats on a killer video and a killer build! You should feel very proud Frank!

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks Matttttttttttyy matttttt!!

[@ThabaniTBowseHadebe0909]

The cinematography and story telling is class

[@Fenix90]

6:58 You put an N54 in with those brakes? You're braver than I thought.

[@Garageaholic]

Customer plans to retrofit big brakes later.

[@kens8903]

Garageaholic what’s ball park of a swap like this? 1st time ever seeing this channel. Subbed

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks! E30 n54 integrators guide coming out tomorrow! Take a look then!

[@moakhiy3745]

My man!! You got me with this one❤ finishing my n54 engine build tomorrow and hopefully installing it….ur a champ and keep going❤

[@MeccaWerks]

Yo! That was a kickass video! Definitely your best one yet! Everything about that video was awesome! So happy to see an E30 own the streets with an N54 let alone a touring! Fantastic work!

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks Drew! You the man and hope to work together one day!

[@johnMpower]

E30 with a gorgeous N54!! A dream. Congrats!

[@Greg-TC]

This is the cleanest e30 touring I’ve seen stateside, even before the modifications. Total dream build

[@Gabriel-fl8ek]

this has been a build i have thought about for a long time. glad to see someone has actually done it!

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks, and it’s fully documented!!!

[@xavierkerr2688]

THIS IS MY DREAM BUILD, never seen one before so its cool to see a "step by step" guide on how to do it.

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks man!!

[@montana4069]

E30 Touring..!!!.here in the states....so frickin sick!

[@F80_Roach]

"Right in that corner"

[@mmeyer2138]

i fucking lost it!

[@0650asanders]

😂😂😂😂

[@Lunch_theband]

no joke, prolly the coolest car build out there

[@GilMartino]

Dr. Swap, Fantastic! You have a PHD like no other, this is your gift, I'm proud of you. Nice touch on the drone :)

[@Garageaholic]

Gil, you have been one of my biggest inspirations. Talking to you about this has added so much perspective since last year. Thank YOU!

[@Tomkkat15]

Wow! I just found the video announcing this swap yesterday, and you've just finished it!

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks man! Appreciate that!

[@jaymec5137]

Super talented! Congrats on completing the build. The 10mm socket comment..lol

[@Garageaholic]

HAHA, so true right!

[@melbgrk6725]

Congrats Frank on an epic build :) I've only started watching all your videos on this amazing build, cant wait to watch the rest ... :)

[@Rpmautojim]

That video was epic on so many levels! Congratulations brother!

[@Garageaholic]

Thank YOU Jimmy for your help advice, and parts trading throughout the swap!

[@Rpmautojim]

@@Garageaholic you're very welcome buddy

[@capmotorworks7331]

Hell of a project...killer results. Congrats!

[@that90sbenz]

Good work! Fantastic effort the whole way through, and it paid off. Only a special type of madman could pull off something like this!

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks man I appreciate that!

[@quentinrance8974]

Great job on the build and thanks for capturing/sharing the experience with us. We are stationed in Germany and have picked up a super clean '90 E30 Wagon that is being shipped back to Texas with us.We also have an E54 block and head ready to ship back with it.

[@Garageaholic]

Awesome! Love hearing about other projects!

[@Capital_E]

Amazing video and build

[@aarnold6007]

Amazing work mang. Love this. ✊🏾✊🏾

[@uisperfectemail9720]

Thank you for sharing all this. Black E30 Wagon on Alpinas and sport interior, pure taste; N54 swap pure passion.

[@Garageaholic]

It's still retained the classic E30 look, which I like most!

[@GotThePug]

You rocks! fantastic job, it's a dream BMW to have. Greetings from ISF driver.

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks!

[@hevendranarayansamy2793]

Well done Frank and as always keep up your good work. I wish i bought a n54 e36 integrators guide back in March when it was cheap. Damn it.

[@ian.M440]

Congrats Frank, fantastic video 👍

[@toorani17]

Awsome job man, hard work pays off!

[@marufas100]

Now let's wait for the e46 N54 build!!!

[@MrThegodhimself]

N54 is a king! Love mine especially on serpentine mountain roads. Is a keeper! I will maintain mine till it falls apart!

[@Garageaholic]

Yeah it’s a polarizing engine but I like it!

[@MrThegodhimself]

@@Garageaholic always something to fix haha, but when it pulls it pulls like a train, instant 😂

[@RearEngineShop]

Awesome work! I have a N54 swap planned just have to decide what car I’m going to put it in.🤔

[@Garageaholic]

What are you leaning toward?

[@206tribute]

Great Video, only supered by the these great E30's work!

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks!

[@sylvesterkarudi6349]

I respect you brother, you are beyond "Excellent".

[@SL9SH]

What a great build and result!

[@popi785]

You sir deserve kudos! You know the stickers that read "built not bought" Well this is a rare car that could use one of them! Congrats on the build!

[@Garageaholic]

I used some imagination and it paid offb

[@_rmms_8285]

So happy i found your chanel, this year i will start studying as a car mechanic and your my role model :D

[@Garageaholic]

Thank you!!!

[@fredericfernandes9142]

Great great job...i made lot of project even invert hand drive.. my next fantasm is that. SWWWAAAAPPPPPPPPP. Congratulations, i felt your passion and your feelings in that project. We are millions of children like you in the world.

[@BimmerHausPerformance]

Frank, I will share this with as many people as I can and wish for 100k subs for you! I will be purchasing the guide.

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks man, and thanks for commenting. Always welcome your comments and feedback

[@marounchahine289]

Amazing job! I love the video! Amazing build tooo

[@racingnobudget92]

thanx for sharing this amzing build

[@arnaudmichel5928]

Nice work 🤟 Congratulations from France 👋

[@Calvinm]

Wow! Great job, a lot of hard work went into this build. Can't wait to see what comes next.

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks!!!

[@ChristopheBilliet]

This is exactly what I want for my Touring, this or an even more exotic BMW engine of recent years.. Has to have the turbo's tho, and great to see you pulled this off already, really inspiring!!

[@chrisbecker3629]

Faaaaabulous! Great work!

[@GeneralF34R]

Hello old friend! Video was fantastic and car goes without question!

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks Brandon!! Good to hear from you!

[@MrNicoe36cabrio]

Congrats Frank! Awesome video, awesome car. Well done! Also nice to thank your wife, because you spend a lot of time in your garage, instead of inside your house and family! I hope your channel will gain a lot of subscribers soon! BTW I sold my e36 325 vert this week, after 17 awesome years and now I'm looking for a manual 2008 e93 335i, yeah! You got me N54 addicted, hahaha. Dutch regards, Nico.

[@Garageaholic]

HAHA, thanks Nico for being a loyal fan!

[@marioeid930]

That car looks awesome!!

[@RandyX69]

Very inspiring movie. Exelent job. Wish I, probably, have a some possibilities to make something like this in future. Time to start learning many infos about mechanics and tuning. Masterpiece, bro. That's art

[@figuwolf7227]

Perfect 👍👍👍, enjoy every mile my friend 🖖 Greetings from Austria 🇦🇹 🍻☀️💜

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks from across the pond!!

[@H1ghStatus]

Nice Build, Great Video!

[@BenBinnebose]

Dream build right here.

[@matthiasgrabinger4360]

Respekt from germany for you ....very nice !!!!

[@deandefrancesch613]

EPIC finale video!!! Fun and funny as hell. Great job at showing how much fun u had with this build. Now for the Comanche and LS builds!!

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks Dean for always being a loyal fan! That's coming this winter!

[@mmeyer2138]

Right before you said, "right in that corner", I was thinking, "yeah he's got it perfect, right in that corner" lol im dead!

[@Garageaholic]

Only an enthusiast knows!

[@Henke3000]

Amazing job! Followed you from the first video! :)

[@Garageaholic]

Thank you as always, you've been a 9 month sub and I appreciate that!

[@Quotenaegypter]

Wow what a nice Build! I just found your channel and feel like it is pretty underrated. Keep it up!

[@Garageaholic]

Thank you! Hope it’s not underrated for very long! More great projects to come later this year!

[@margauxlowery4324]

A honest build. I like it very much.

[@Garageaholic]

Thank YOU.

[@MattyMattsBavarianBuilds]

Hell yeah so stoked!

[@Garageaholic]

FIRST!

[@zfloz9895]

Congratulation, for all your achievements, I know it is not easy at all, and there's a lot of frustration on the way. Thank you for sharing this with us . Much love and respect, from Romania!

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks my good man!!

[@niekbenjamins3602]

Absolutely beautiful, one of the best looking cars out there.

[@blockpartyvintage1568]

Super cool intro!

[@d1zguy864]

Fantastic workmanship! Fabrication and welding is the holy grail of car skills. If you ever want to sell let me know, I'll turn it into a street drift car with drift setup. It already has no traction so it's perfect. just need steering angle mods, and hydro e-brake and drift suspension settings.

[@nathanlewtschuk3566]

awesome job man

[@eugenhecht9513]

In german we would say. #" Dicken RESPEKT" Is my next project. E30 Motor unknown.

[@Puliuto]

Congratulations. You do my dream job. I love both e30 and e36 with n54 engine, my favorite. who knows if one day I will be able to build my dream machine too ...

[@Garageaholic]

That’s kind thank you!

[@carparted]

Congrats men It is one hell of a build ! I love thé way you think I feel the same! Bravo from France ! I am building a e36 but I Would love to have an e30! Keep going my friend

[@Garageaholic]

Thank you!!!

[@thecopperiris]

The montage is as artful as the actual swap!

[@Garageaholic]

I’d love to see what swaps you have done

[@thecopperiris]

@@Garageaholic ?

[@thecopperiris]

@@Garageaholic it wasn't a bad comment towards you, I was saying you did an amazing job making the video in addition to all the hard work and dedication to making the swap work

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks for the compliment have you done any engine swaps?

[@thecopperiris]

@@Garageaholic all kinds of swaps, from bmws to chevys.. just usually not as indepth and customized as yours.. for bmws, mainly s50/52/54 swaps into e30s and of course stock to stock

[@Eddie-gb3bn]

Every car can benefit from an N54 swap.

[@DriveDaily1]

Great video. Great build

[@eddieellison7679]

Amazing bro! I’d like to do the same thing, looks like a ton of work.

[@Garageaholic]

Oh it really was. Thanks!

[@5ShotProductions]

I just found your channel and I'm blown away, literally! I owned an E36 328i touring, then a E91 330dA LCI and now a F31 330dA xDrive LCI, and I always dreamed of putting a N54-engine in an E36 touring. But there are a few problems: I sadly sold my E36 in 2012 (at that time I had no space to store it), so I need a "new" E36 touring. Not that big deal, most of them are very cheap here in Germany. But then the real problem kicks in: To find an engine and the transmission. In the final E36 swap video you showed how cheap the E92 N54 car was, where do you find such cheap cars? Here in Germany it's almost impossible to find a car with that engine for that less money. But since I saw old pictures of my Bostongreen E36 328i touring I start dreaming of that built again: An E36 328i touring with the N54 in it and slightly modified to produce around 350/360 horsepower. Man, that car would be a killer 😍 Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us, I definitely will buy your E36 N54 swap guide, thats for sure. And now I will try to find an E36 328i in almost good condition and then trying to find a N54 engine with transmission. But one question: It would be better to find a whole N54 car, as you need a stuff of electrical components to get the engine working in the E36, or am I wrong? Again: Thanks Frank for sharing, I really do appreciate 👏👍🏻 Kind regards from Germany, Philipp

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks so much Philip! But no you can get away with just the n54 and dme. A few people flash it out now so you are good there!!!! Thanks for such an awesome post!

[@julius330i8]

This build is totally awesome! Greetings from Germany ;)

[@mynameis63]

Great car, and great job man. New subscription added.

[@Garageaholic]

Thank you for being a fan! More to come!!

[@Stack4Millions]

Good video and good build

[@Garageaholic]

Thank you thank you!

[@dk3330]

Love the video ❤

[@isaiahwilliams7751]

Awesome video bro

[@twinturbo1989]

Well done! All of the work is well appreciated, the result is outstanding, albeit a handful :D

[@Garageaholic]

Thank you very much!

[@eugeneshanasy8298]

Having done a S54 swap in my touring I can relate to a lot of the work you have done, a great job. I would like to know what brakes you are running (I must have missed that video) and what suspension setup you have gone with in terms of spring rates and alignment. As far as giving you feedback (as requested) although a good video, I am a purist and would like to hear more engine noise, discussion on handling and any tweaks you have done and why, brake feel and balance into corners and acceleration out (not so much burnouts) etc. it is a very nice build and has inspired me to continue modifying mine.

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks Eugene! awesome comment thanks for taking the time. So I think I might release another supplemental video to talk about all that other stuff, and provide possibly some burnout and donut videos! This is not our car; It's a customer's car so I didn't want to abuse it too much. I've driven it about 300 miles now and had VERY few issues, although minor tweaks. They didn't have interest in springing for a BBK for now, but that's certainly in the near future! so currently stock brakes. Suspension is CATuned is 7k/8k and feels great! might raise it up a tad for some additional road clearance, but overall very happy with the setup!

[@BimmerHausPerformance]

@@Garageaholic I would be interested in a more "tuner" themed video as well... That would be nice. One side of this is what you put out and all the work you did, and the other side is a deep dive into the car itself. You should do a SMOKING TIRE satire video! It would be right up your ally regarding the sense of humor... no pun intended. (actually, it was)

[@eugeneshanasy8298]

Garageaholic I am surprised that you haven’t updated brakes, I threw wilwood 6 and 4 pots and the upgrade from the 320i stock brakes with wider tyres were drastic. Rear spring rates and length with garagistic for the wagon is not good imo as it is too heavy in the rear and I would bottom out a lot. I have found that 325is cabrelet springs are just right. Rear weight around corners can catch up with you as well, the difference in balance between the wagon and my M3 is noticeable; however, the weightier S54 does seem to balance it up a bit. It would be great to know your thoughts on the drive ability on some windy roads.

[@littlejezzi1]

the window in the corner part had me dead lmfao i do the same exact thing love the build m8 you need more subscribers people dont know what theyre missing!!

[@Garageaholic]

Haha yeah man it’s only something an enthusiast will knowb

[@pclayton5063]

Amazing fabrication skills. Curious as to why you chose the N54. Great job!

[@Garageaholic]

Customer request actually! This one isn’t my car

[@ANDONYSRR]

You are amazing

[@yehudahyehudi9008]

MASTER PIECE 🤜🏾

[@mayonaisesaladejamaismalade]

I really, really, really can not wait for the guide, please come through with it! I have a question regarding clearance, you think we could put a top mount single turbo in the engine bay, like most 335i N54 are running? I was planning to do a 335i Single Turbo but I always wished to have a E30, so if I can join both of them I would be in awe. Again, what an amazing car you did, I am so thrilled just looking at it.

[@BimmerHausPerformance]

You can absolutely do it, cut the hood out... Search KZbin for rusty e30 turbo, great example

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks! There's always a tradeoff when positioning the engine lower to accommodate (for example) a larger single front mount turbo. First is your steering rack placement is lower, which hurts bump steer, especially if you lower the car. Second is driveline alignment. You might want to go with a slip joint at the trans output instead of guibo if you go that route. But the obvious benefit is low center of gravity!

[@mayonaisesaladejamaismalade]

@@Garageaholic Thank you so much for the reply. The only remaining step is convincing my old man to take on this project together! I can't exactly recall the video where you mount back the exhaust manifold but I will go back and check everything. Woumd probably do a hood downpipe like BrowBMW suggested

[@Garageaholic]

Yeah that would have a good Cool factor too

[@FrEHV]

And one more comment to help the channel. Great content!

[@Garageaholic]

Thank you!

[@ozzyfreeman2619]

Hi mate, my congrats to you, awesome project and what a perfect result!

[@Garageaholic]

It worked out real well thank you!

[@dalabu8260]

Master finished the e30 well done .....

[@SLR-722]

You are SUPER STAR in SUPER CAR.

[@UpsideGam3r]

I think you should talk more about how this compares to your other swaps.. what feels the same.. what feels different? Is it perfect? I know that N54 could hit some high numbers, do you think the rest of the chassis is up to spec?

[@Garageaholic]

Excellent comments. Yours, combined with other's ive read i might do a second mini video combining and answering all these questions, maybe do some burnouts too

[@laoaznguy]

Amazing build!!! Just picked up an E30 shipped from Cali to MA and still on the fence of what power plant should be swapped in place of the M20. Your build has gotten my interest on the N54. Can wait to see what chassis the LT is going into, maybe then I’ll decide. Any suggestions? Great Build!

[@TheKaaliNaama]

M30 ftw

[@laoaznguy]

Dyngbjööni Nope...M20

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks Dennis. I think just 1 person guessed the right chassis, but that's not coming until the second video of the series, in September!

[@BigBooty5er]

Congrats on the completion of the build! One day I will have an E30 Touring. You’ve earned my sub!!!!

[@Garageaholic]

Thank you!!!!

[@nikij2383]

Well done. Awesome car!

[@ΝΙΚΗΤΑΣΑΣΩΝΙΤΗΣ]

Μπράβο Frank, παρακολούθησα εδώ και μέρες τις μετατροπές που έκανες από Ε30 σε S54 και N54 είσαι πάρα πολύ καλός, δεν φοβάσαι όταν κάνεις λάθος και αυτό μου αρέσει πολύ. Θέλω να σε ρωτήσω ποιο μοτέρ θεωρείς καλύτερο το S54 ή N54 για μετατροπή σε Ε30. Ευχαριστώ.

[@2ndProtects1st]

Awesome I love it!

[@Garageaholic]

Haha, love your comments. You really need to get an avatar!!!

[@yudi1541]

Nice job sir..🤗

[@Balgenwatz]

I underestimated my M50 swap! Harder tahn expected. In this manner: mad respect for swapping a N54...

[@Garageaholic]

Thanks man! Just wait for the s85!

[@niekbenjamins3602]

@@Garageaholic Please no s85, I feel bad for you already, go for an S62 instead.

[@Garageaholic]

I did that in my e30. Great engine just doesn’t have the sound that the s85 has!

[@rossini82]

Would like to know if the obc fuel and trip computer works or not, that would be amazing if youve nailed that pure oem link up!!

[@Garageaholic]

I did not hook that up actually! need an arduino to convert CAN to a PWM signal for processing and ensure the map is accurate. Sounds like a fun science project though!

[@tillbortels5306]

Big respekt!

[@joshuamagrath2195]

My dream car!