Is it doable/conveniente to change the engine of a car?

[Who Dares Win]

So there is this old bmw z3 which I like and I can get for really few euros, the problem is that the engine is going to die pretty soon.

Wondering if its possible to keep the car the way it is but just change the engine to give a long life to the car?
I mostly like the design of the car.

 

[Bible_Belt]

It's all on computer now, but every car has a "shop manual." The manual states the number of hours required to do every job possible to the car. Talk to independent mechanics, obviously, not the dealership.

Some engines come out a lot easier than others. BMWs are not my thing, so I can't tell you much about them. I do know that it's possible to fit a small block Chevy v8 into one. I even have one for sale at the moment.

 

[backseatjuan]

Older BMWs are easy to work on, 1980s and early 90s.

What you mean engine is going to die soon?

It needs to be rebuild! Which is a process consisting of taking apart the whole engine, balancing crankshaft and flywheel, boring and honing cylinder walls, getting new cylinders and connecting rods, totally rebuilding head, and then reassembling everything. So it's basically a new engine, except hand build, often with head work and larger displacement.

Keep stock engine, just do head work and stroke it.

 

[Fatal Jay]

So there is this old bmw z3 which I like and I can get for really few euros, the problem is that the engine is going to die pretty soon.

Wondering if its possible to keep the car the way it is but just change the engine to give a long life to the car?
I mostly like the design of the car.

That still wont solve other problems you will have with the car just because you have a new engine, a lot of people seem to think that placing a new engine will solve everything but it does not if the car has a lot of miles on it. I wouldn't even go through the hassle of doing all that. Just save your money and find a better deal.

 

[backseatjuan]

That still wont solve other problems you will have with the car just because you have a new engine, a lot of people seem to think that placing a new engine will solve everything but it does not if the car has a lot of miles on it. I wouldn't even go through the hassle of doing all that. Just save your money and find a better deal.

What else to it lol? Transmission, rebuildable on older BMWs, front and rear suspension, can put everything new there for couple hundred. As long as body is rust free, which is probably the case because it is a BMW. Those cars by BMW and Mercedes made in 80s and 90s were build to go for 1 000 000 miles, and that means extreme quality.

Today BMW and Mercedes don't make cars this good, because it's not profitable.

 

[the_stig]

How many miles? What are the symptoms of "going to die soon"??

That BMW straight six is an extremely robust engine, and unless it has been severely neglected, I'd bet it's a problem that can be fixed without any kind of engine overhaul or replacement.

 

[backseatjuan]

Most likely problems with compression, valves leaking, oil rings worn. I think it has to be rebuild, totally. But then again, for me a good engine is a hand build engine that you build in your own garage, so just my own opinion.

 

[MtnMan]

i swap engines in cars all of the time, I can change an engine in a day. If you do not have experience it can be tough, but if you are smart, have decent tools and are persistent, it can be done. Its just a matter of take it apart, and put it back the way you found it. You will need a hoist of some sort.

 

[n00bPimp]

You can take out the motor and use your legs like in the flintstones. No big deal.