What to do with my old dumb 528e

[lateapex911]

Hey guys...I'm usually over in the Porsche section, but I also have an 88 528e. I got it for next to nothing, but it blew it's little useless motor. So now it IS worth nothing, LOL.

But, it's kinda neat, and has decent 5 spoke 16" alloy rims, and a complete Suspension Techniques setup with lowered springs, dampers, sways, etc.

So, I was thinking, I could drop in another 528e engine, ugg.. or look for a 535i engine and 5 speed ECU.

Does that make sense? I've seen salvage yards selling the combo for &500 or so....

(And later, if I get silly, I suppose I could chip it, etc)

What pitfalls are in the swap? Is it plug and play? Any advice would be great! Thanks!

[wludavid]

nah, rebuild the 88 eta motor. It's the 'supereta' which means you can put an 'i' head from a 325i. It becomes a cheap stroker. Makes about 200 hp IIRC.

How did you blow the motor?

[JonyRR]

I think you should stuff a 3LV8 in it, an E36 motor.
Or give it some actual horsepoweer with a 383 chebby EIF crate engine and richmond 6-speed. the whole 'merican powertrain wil cost less than a BMW rebuild...

[thehobe]

Buy another one CHEAP and transfer the suspension and wheels. It will be easier, cheaper, and less time consuming. Sell the hulk to a junkyard for parts or part some of it out yourself. The transmission, rear end, instrument cluster, and engine computer will bring in more than the cost of the used car you buy

[thehobe]

see used 528e currently $721 at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-5-Series-528e-1986-BMW-528e-Loaded-Well-Maintained-No-Reserve_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6008QQitemZ2700 98531470QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[thehobe]

Ebay Item # 270098531470