swap vs e36 m3

[rattlsnak]

just curious how an e30m50b25 (2.5 motor) swap would compare to a e36 M3 on the track? Assume both cars would be setup with suspension goodies, etc.. I know its about 40-50 hp difference but the e30 has to be lighter.. just curious about performance differences....

[Adrian_Visser]

The e30 wouldn't win a straight line drag that's for sure.

[daniel]

The e30 wouldn't win a straight line drag that's for sure.

This is correct. Also very unlikely it would be able to win in a non-straight line.

[JPL]

it would lose looking way better than an e36

[Wh33lhop]

You would be infinitely cooler, but pretty much lose any race you set up, save maybe an autocross. Don't forget the standard "depends on the driver" boilerplate either.

An M50TU with M3 cams and software would give an M3 a good run for its money though.

[Fusion]

Though if the e30 was on a weight loss program and e36 was stock (especially with those 500lb Vaders :D), you could get pretty damn close to the same power/weight ratio, no?

[matt]

Having done a bunch of track time in e30s and e36s... I will never go back to e30s.

[rThor432]

This is correct. Also very unlikely it would be able to win in a non-straight line.

Haha, yep. I have a '97 E36 M3 and had an S52 in my E30 for a while as well. Having driven both back-to-back-to-back I'll say that the E30 is more intuitive to drive, especially at the limit. The E36, however, just hooks up and goes.

With the same competent driver in a similarly prepared E36 M3 vs. an M50 E30 the M3 will be faster around a track. Big brakes and multi-link suspension are in the E36's favor, even if weight is not.

[M-technik-3]

E36 rear suspension is far superior to the E30's but the E30 is bullet proof vs the fragile quarter and golden dollar you to death E36's.

E36 hands down is a better handling car but is not as fun in the least bit.

[7pilot]

...And the E36 M3 in this comparison is actually a 330iS or 332iS.

m

[matt]

E36 hands down is a better handling car but is not as fun in the least bit.

I disagree.

[Bimmerman325i]

I've got a non-motorswapped E30 and an M3. The M3 is a vastly superior track car or autocross car. I love my E30, and am competent with it on track, but it doesn't compare.

[Jonny Cash]

So basically what you guys are saying is- for instance; One e30 w/s50, and one e36M3 w/s50. Equal drivers, similar stopping power. The e36 is still faster?

[Bimmerman325i]

Yes. The E30 would be faster when the going gets straight, but has issues in the corners which the E36 does not, assuming all other variables are equal. Lap times will be close but will favor the E36.

But, which is more fun to drive on the limit on track? That is incredibly debatable and variable from person to person.

[Jonny Cash]

Thats a pretty bold statment i must say.

I can say personally Ive owned a few of these cars, and never have i felt the e30 lack in that department comparable to an e36. Ill let the guys who track their swapped cars chime in, but Its hard to judge by what you see at the track, because peoples driving abilities differ so much.