E30 with S50 vs S54

[alexbaby88]

Just how much of a performance advantage does an S54 provide over an S50 in an E30? The S54 is clearly a more complicated install not to mention more $$. The rated power differential between the 2 engines is not all that big. I want to get bigger power but wonder if the S50 is "good enough" without the need to go S54.

[alexbaby88]

When I say S50 I mean S50B32 euro.

[Wanganstyle]

When I say S50 I mean S50B32 euro.

is 30 more rwhp and a more responsive engine mean anything to you?

IF you have to ask this question then it probably wont matter to you so just buy the cheapest item you can stuff in your car.

[Roysneon]

Where is KL? If you're in the US or outside Europe then S54 all the way as it would at least be possible to buy parts for it.

[alexbaby88]

KL is in Malaysia. Parts availability definitely better for the S54. What is the situation with the meter cluster, can the E30 one be adapted or does the E46 M3 cluster have to be jammed in somehow?

[Jb325is]

Well the e30 cluster doesn't go to 8, so that's an issue. You can use a e30 m3 cluster but people want crazy money for them. For now I'm just putting a small shift light in mine until I can afford an AIM dash. s54's are cheaper than s50b32's over here, so it's a no-brainer.

[digger]

is 30 more rwhp and a more responsive engine mean anything to you?

IF you have to ask this question then it probably wont matter to you so just buy the cheapest item you can stuff in your car.

fresh vs fresh bone stock there would be lucky to be 10rwhp and the torque difference is even less than that. S54 has more parts available and probably cheaper.

[Roysneon]

People use regular E30 Clusters with the S54 as far as I know. The speedometer is off of the sensor in the diff, the fuel level is off the float in the tank, the tach gets the same input through the harness and I'm assuming that you still have the same type of coolant temp sensor for the cluster as the older 24 valve motors.

[Wanganstyle]

fresh vs fresh bone stock there would be lucky to be 10rwhp and the torque difference is even less than that. S54 has more parts available and probably cheaper.

AGE of s50 causes the extra 20 hp difference.

[digger]

thats not a hard and fast rule as my parents S50B32 has about 60k miles on it and it is very strong yet many S54 for sale have more mileage.

still if i was going to go to all the trouble itd be an S54 without question between the two. S38B38 seems to have most potential though as far as the 6's go

[nando]

S50 parts are expensive and hard to source. if you're in the states, stick to the S54. The cost between the two swaps won't be significantly different, but you get a newer motor, newer electronics, and more parts availability.

I'm using an E46 M3 cluster in mine but the conversion isn't even a little bit simple. I've been working on it since 2011.. lol

[jwiles]

engine for engine price the s50b32 is cheaper, but will be a bitch to get over "apparently" im looking for the s50b32 personally.----WHY and the parts will probably "get me", but ill have the shipper send over extra parts that tend to go. hell idk sometimes you just have to wing it.

[jwiles]

Cheaper to Go s54 finally!!

[burkey001]

S54 no question

[nrubenstein]

I have to say that I really love the noise that the S50B32 makes. It is also a very simple swap once you solve the brewing issue. The S54 requires a lot more electronic support to run, which is a downer.

All that said, if I were buying today, I would go S54.