F22C swap advice

[SLCE30318is]

This may be a redundant thread from the S2000 swap thread a couple of years ago, but here goes.

I weighed the options between getting a Metric Mechanic 2100 Rally engine installed by their shop or an F22C w/six speed transmission installed by a shop out in Sacramento (CATuned/Auto Heaven).

After calling and talking to both shops, I am leaning towards pulling the trigger on the F22C+six speed swap by CATuned. Ultimately it came down to the price and potentials of each engine.

I spoke with Dax (318is2000) over the phone and he was extremely helpful and friendly in his advice on going with the Honda setup. While the idea of doing it myself like Dax did, I would rather have a professional shop take care of it for me (yeah, I know - bought not built).

I realize that this is a huge money pit and that there are faster and cheaper options out there, but this is definitely something that I want to get. Hope to hear some suggestions and advice on what to look for, ask about, etc as I go forward in this process.

Has anyone also had any experience with CATuned?

Another issue with the car is that it had the A/C components under the hood taken out by the previous owner. After discussing with CATuned about fabricating a custom a/c system, I will be willing to pay up to a certain amount to make it work with an F22C engine. I was getting quoted 3-4k by local shops on installing a custom A/C system, which was far too much.

Ultimately, I may just go with no A/C if it turns out too costly, but Igor at CATuned said that 3-4k sounds unreasonably high for a custom a/c system (unlikely given that I'm in Texas), and that they would try to work with me on getting one that is far more cost effective. I've also thought about getting another car with a/c for the swap, but I decided to stick with this one.

For reference too, the quote is $12,000 parts and labor for the engine swap. This will differ from Dax's setup in that it won't be using the factory ecu but rather an AEM standalone to run everything.

[Tgoode318]

I saw an e36 318 with the Fc Swap/400hp a number of years ago on a Japanese togue racing show and it was bad ass!
How ever personally i think you should keep the m42! Take a look at vac motor sports boost package http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac---m42-turbo-build-kit-p244.aspx You can get that and get a shop to do a custom turbo for you.
If you insist on a swap 2 other good options to keep in mind are the LS1 v8 swap and or Keep it bmw and drop in the E36 or E30 m3 engine's.

A while ago i wanted to swap my engine but decided to stick with the m42 because it can be very fast. What are you goals for the car? If its power you want like i said a turboed m42 can be extremely fast 300-400hp easy . If its handling you want your not going to get a much lighter engine then the m42. If its just to do something different though then i completely understand that.
Good luck with your decision
-TG 

[SkidMark]

Honda powered BMW huh??? Whats the point? Just buy a Honda and drive it then! Im a firm believer in keeping a Bmw a Bmw... just my .02 cents....Skid.

[SLCE30318is]

I definitely want this car to be a bit different. Also, my other cars are FI, so I wanted a NA car for the daily driver/weekend track car. I'm sure that I would have been super happy with sticking with the M42 with some mods, but if the opportunity to get that awesome F22C and six speed into the E30 is there, I'll take it.

While I was initially wanting to keep it BMW, I'm planning on swapping in a torquey six cylinder into another one of my cars.

Thanks for the input guys, keep them coming.

[wazzu70]

Honestly, the F22C is a badass motor. I would swap it in if I had the opportunity. I like the M42 a lot, but the F22C is so much more potent and has a lot of aftermarket parts available if you wanted to mod it even further.