S50B32 Update

[SamE30e]

WOT in tunnels was life altering. :)

There's a lot of tunnels on my way to school each day. People always cut me off or drive like idiots. So if they're by me when we hit a tunnel, they get a ear full.

[stormspike]

Quick update before the Tech/UT game.. Drove her home last night (I live up in Frisco) and she drove great!! Damn torrential rain for 80 miles but she pulls like a beast. I love having the extra gear.

My first impression was this is like the difference between the m20 and the S52. It's unvelievable the extra power this engine has in the e30.

I'll have a lot of pics up Tom with seats, all done. It ended up being a little more than expected but I had a lot of extras done with the brakes and complete rear subframe overhaul(also with headlight washer, fab work on motor). I can't believe they got this beast in and managed to keep the original fan from her. Temp ran lower than my old S52 and oil temp was pegged around 190 to 200. I believe they got the brakes working with Geo booster and e30M master. Just squeezes in. I'll get pics of that because that felt tons better than just the Geo setup.

Terry has a cool set of E30s there- tourings and others with a s54 running. He liked this setup over s54 since it looks like similar power and easier install.

More to come shortly. It's hard to post from phone.

The Euro headlight washer was a cool addition also.

[stormspike]

I kept the cats from the S52 setup with my Stomung exhaust setup. Really nice idle and when you get on it. I almost cut the cats off but I never know how the damn inspection will go up here. Sometimes they hook up sniffer and other year just did a light/horn test.
I have to renew this week so hopefully I'll get the horn/ light treatment. :).

[DaveSmed]

Quick update before the Tech/UT game.. Drove her home last night (I live up in Frisco) and she drove great!! Damn torrential rain for 80 miles but she pulls like a beast. I love having the extra gear.

My first impression was this is like the difference between the m20 and the S52. It's unvelievable the extra power this engine has in the e30.

Awesome!! Didn't know you went with the 6spd as well, very nice!


That power delivery is something else isn't it? I never really got a good drive in an S52 E30, and always wondered if the extra money/hassle was worth it for the euro engine.

[sonnyqm3]

Awesome!! Didn't know you went with the 6spd as well, very nice!


That power delivery is something else isn't it? I never really got a good drive in an S52 E30, and always wondered if the extra money/hassle was worth it for the euro engine.

well worth th extra money.. I love the euro motors and cant believe we didnt get that in U.S..

[stormspike]

It's really not much more Labor/issues than the S52. The main cost diff is in the raw cost of motor plus trans and shipping. You also have major delays on getting parts in from overseas. So if you are doing this, get parts on order ASAP so you can try to avoid too much downtime.

Most of my cost was my own doing with all the extras that I splurged on this summer.

[stormspike]

BTW, does anyone know how the cost of the euro compares to the s54?

[rThor432]

Glad to see that the adapter worked out well for you. The install looks very nice. I love the look of the Euro engines, they are a piece of Motorsport art.. Congratulations!

BTW, does anyone know how the cost of the euro compares to the s54?

The S54's can be had for a very reasonable price. My 2003 49k S54 cost $3,500. The guy I bought it from had several others ranging from $2,300-$3,900 at the time. I bought the best 6-speed engine that he had to avoid the SMG interface and intake manifold. The DME, EWS, key+antennae ring, alternator, starter, and shipping for everything cost an additional $800. So $4,300 shipped to my door across the country from California.

In my opinion, if you are looking for raw efficiency and power, the S54 is the best option. You can buy a sub-100k example and 6-speed for $4k including shipping if you shop around. You can purchase a system to run it (whether stock DME+flash or standalone) with the extra $2-3k you would spend otherwise to pick up a Euro engine conversion.

But, also in my opinion the Euro engine looks much, much better in an E30. Much more exotic. For a street car the difference in power should be negligible. I'd prefer to have one if they were a bit more readily availible for a similar cost to S54's. S54's grow on trees, and that's why I picked one up. I might put the S54 in my standard E30 and pick up a Euro engine for the E30 M3.

[stormspike]

Updated Pictures!

Here are a few updated pictures!! Just got the new seats installed and still need to wash her after the hard rain last week.

New Seats from Kevin at Creative Options






New Euro Headlights with wipers:


Now the S50B32




More to come when I get the last of the small things done this week....

[DaveSmed]

Very clean! The more of Kevin's work I see, the more I think I need to give him a call....

[Wh33lhop]

s54 lulz

Haven't seen you around in awhile, glad you're back. Another thing the S54 has for it is its availability in the US--easier to find parts and you can BAR it.

How's your swap going? You have got a million pairs of hungry eyes awaiting your project updates, and I'm one of them.

[sonnyqm3]

Stormpike,

The car looks real nice and I am glad you like the power of the euro motor, there is more to do on that beast. lol

[erik325i]

What driveshaft are you using with the 6-speed?
I'm picking up another s50b32 motor to put in my 325i and am debating installing it with the 6-speed, or selling it and using a 5-speed.

Erik

[sonnyqm3]

What driveshaft are you using with the 6-speed?
I'm picking up another s50b32 motor to put in my 325i and am debating installing it with the 6-speed, or selling it and using a 5-speed.

Erik

Eric,

You can use an e30 m3 drive shaft but you have to cut, weld and balance it. The euro six speed shiter fits perfectly. I had to cut my drive shaft about 4 1/2 inches. Some people say the e36 m3 automatic DS also works but never seen it or done one..

p.s I have a 64k mileage euro engine/trans kit for sale.

[rThor432]

Haven't seen you around in awhile, glad you're back.

How's your swap going?

Yeah, life has been extremely busy for me lately. I'm glad you missed me! Ha. I've got lots going on. It's all good stuff though.

The swap is currently at a stand-still. I'm in the process of moving from my current job for a new opportunity. The environment there wasn't working for me, so it was time for a change. My plans for the conversion and car overall will likely take some interesting new turns due to the sort of work performed at the new place. I'm planning to have it done and driving late this year. I'll have updates as soon as possible, probably late October.